Walk of the Month – July

Where to wander this month: Ingleborough – from Clapham.

Many of you will have tackled Ingleborough whilst staying with us, most likely from The Hill Inn, as per the Three Peaks Route, or maybe from Ingleton. Our Walk of the month for July is a beautiful, less known loop route, starting and ending in the village of Clapham.

This route is 10 miles, and gives a long ascent, but you are rewarded with beautiful limstone features, caves, gorges and a limestone pavement.

Starting on the lakeside nature trail (small charge payable) towards Ingleborough Cave, enjoy the beautiful surroundings. There is a small shop at the entrance to the cave when you reach it, which is the last chance for a drink or ice cream.

Continuing along the path, its not long before you pass through the stunning Trow Gill gorge. Once through this, follow the obvious signed path towards Ingleborough. The path passes Gaping Gill, a natural cave, which still retains the records for the highest unbroken waterfall in England and the largest underground chamber naturally open to the surface.

Carrying on along the path, you will come to a steep climb onto Little Ingleborough, then along a ridge before reaching a last small climb onto the summit of Ingleborough. Turning left over the rocky plateau you will find shelter and the trig point.

Once you have enjoyed the views from the top, and a well earned rest, it’s time to start your return journey. Retrace your steps along the plateau to where the ground starts to descend steeply, and then follow the signs East for Horton-in-Ribblesdale. This route drops into the valley, and then after crossing a wall, it runs alongside a wall on the left.

This will bring you to a ruined cottage where you will then cross a wall and bear right onto a path through limestone rock. You will then join a grassy track which you turn right onto. Go through the gate at the end of the path and continue through a grassy field to the start of a walled lane.

You will then follow this stone track past some woods, to reach a junction. Turning right at the junction will lead you back down into Clapham for a well deserved rest. Why not pop into Clapham Bunk Barn for a coffee and a cake – you’ve earned it!

For the full walk directions and map see – http://www.yorkshiredales.org.uk/visit-the-dales/get-outdoors-dales/yorkshire-three-peaks