Train operator Northern has announced a new Saturday service from Rochdale to Ribblehead for people who wish to explore the Yorkshire Dales.

Northern calls its new service the Yorkshire Dales Explorer, and starting this Saturday, 8th June it will run twice a day on Saturdays from Rochdale to Ribblehead.

En route, it will call at 18 stations including Manchester Victoria, Salford Crescent, Bolton, Blackburn, Clitheroe, Hellifield and Settle.

With adult return tickets from Manchester Victoria to Ribblehead costing £25, ramblers and nature lovers can enjoy an affordable day out in the Dales.

Trains will depart from Rochdale at 7.52 am and 2.52 pm, and travel through impressive scenery to arrive at Ribblehead at 10.19 am and 5.26 pm respectively.

Return trains will depart from Ribblehead at 11.08 am and 6.05 pm.

At Ribblehead, it is only a short walk to the famous Ribblehead Viaduct, or passengers can catch another train on the Settle-Carlisle to continue north to visit other destinations in the Dales such as Dent and Garsdale where the Grade II listed signal box has recently been restored.

Sample off-peak day single and off-peak day return fares on the Yorkshire Dales Explorer are:

• Manchester Victoria to Hellifield – £17.10/£19.70
• Manchester Victoria to Settle – £20.30/£23.30
• Manchester Victoria to Horton in Ribblesdale – £21.50/£24.70
• Manchester Victoria to Ribblehead – £21.80/£25.00

We’re excited to introduce this brand-new service that will allow customers to travel into the heart of the Dales at a reasonable price this summer.

They can get off the train at Hellifield, Settle, Horton-in-Ribblesdale or Ribblehead if they want to get out and explore the spectacular national park.

Craig Harrop, regional director for Northern

We’re really pleased that Northern is running this service. It will provide opportunities for visitors from the North West to visit the National Park this summer.

The journey itself will be a great experience with amazing views of the National Park, and there will be lots to do when people arrive.

Lizzie Bushby, member champion for recreation management at the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority

This is an exciting development which Community Rail Lancashire will enthusiastically support.

We are developing, with our partners the Lancashire Rail Ramblers and the Friends of the Settle Carlisle, a comprehensive guided walk programme helping people to enjoy the lovely Dales countryside with an experienced leader.

The walks will also include history trails highlighting the fascinating stories in the communities along the line.

Richard Watts, chair of Community Rail Lancashire