He'd never be able to hike to the nearest settlement.

There was no good way to transport them back to the nearest settlement.

So he ordered his ship to make for the nearest settlement.

Then the one who had spoken before said, "Can you tell us how to reach the nearest settlement?"

The nearest settlement of any kind was probably still a hundred miles away.

The nearest settlement lay one hundred miles behind his back.

The nearest substantial settlements are located at least 1 hour 45 minutes drive away.

Some of them would undoubtedly come up that shaft from their nearest settlement to find out what.

It was an isolated place, at least four days by wagon from the nearest settlement.

Instead, we would be completely alone, several days travel from the nearest tiny settlement of Europeans.