A quick check of the Routeing Guide reveals the following:
Garsdale and Ribblehead both share the same Routeing Points - Carlisle or Hellifield Group.
To check which is the appropriate routeing point we do a fares check. Garsdale or Ribblehead to Lancaster are both £13.90. Carlisle to Lancaster is £24.60, Hellifield to Lancaster is £11.20. Thus Hellifield is the only permitted Routeing point.
So you are valid the shortest route into the Hellifield Group (ie direct) and then via permitted routes from there to Lancaster. The permitted Maps MM and NC both show that the only permitted route is direct via Bentham.
Thus, that is the route you must take.
That makes sense, but it does raise questions about the reliability of the National Rail website - I mean, someone who had no idea about the routeing guide and merely took what National Rail said for fact could be misled into travelling via an invalid route - the invalid route allows you to leave two hours later, which would be attractive to many people (me included!).
In your capacity as a (I think) TPE guard, what would you do if you found someone travelling on an invalid route in this way, given that it had been recommended by National Rail - indeed, if they could show you the relevant information from the website that incorrectly 'OKed' the journey?
As it happens, we're going to go to Windermere instead as a result, as we won't get enough time in the Dales to do any proper walking.
EDIT
NationalRail shows the journey, but if you look at the prices it says 'You need to buy more than one ticket for this journey'
It used to be clearer on the old website.
Ah yes, so it does! That makes a lot more sense.
It could hardly be more obscure though - you've got not only to click on 'details' but also carefully notice it at the top of the screen!
