Ingleborough (723m) is the highest of the Yorkshire Dales’ Three Peaks. This eight-mile walk to the summit and back is challenging but well worth the effort.
On your way to the top, stop off at Gaping Gill, a mysterious chasm and a famous pothole.
Yorkshire Dales walks
The valleys, moors, hills and caverns of the Yorkshire Dales are etched with miles and miles of rolling footpaths – explore this atmospheric limestone landscape with our guide to the Yorkshire Dales best walks.
Ingleborough walk
8.4 miles/13.5km | 5-6 hours | challenging
1. Clapham Falls
Leave the village of Clapham, soon passing Clapham Falls. The artificial cascade was created by the Farrer family in the 19th century as an outfall for the dammed Clapham Beck.
Continue following the line of the stream up to Ingleborough Cave, just one of many hallows carved out of the limestone – it is quite spectacular and open to the public, with an admission charge. Beyond the cave, the way swings round to the right to enter the deep cleft of Trow Gill, where a bit of a scramble leads you through a gap overlooked by a steep rock face.
2. Gaping Gill
You will soon emerge into the open, where a clear path heads up towards the crest of Ingleborough. But there is one more surprise in store: one of Britain’s most famous and dramatic potholes, Gaping Gill. Water tumbles from the chasm opening to the floor, plunging 105m into the depths of the mountain. It’s the highest single-drop waterfall in Britain.
A broad track heads off to the lower peak of Little Ingleborough, reached at the end by a rock staircase.
3. Ingleborough
A long ridge leads away to Ingleborough itself, dipping down to a saddle before climbing to reach the summit.
4. Clapham
Up here is a magnificent limestone pavement – a maze-like layer of loose stone slabs – home to a variety of alpine plants, including yellow and purple saxifrage. Wide-ranging views stretch out across a patchwork of little fields in the valley, over to the distant, dark hulk of Pen-y-Ghent. With luck, you will also hear the distinctive calls of two of the native birds; the keening cry of the curlew and the sweet song of the meadow pipit. Spend some time enjoying the scene before returning to Clapham.
Enjoy a drink and something to eat at the New Inn – it was actually new in the middle of the 18th century. There are also a number of places to stay, including the cheap and basic Clapham Bunkhouse.
For more information on exploring Ingleborough's spectacular walks and views, go to The Yorkshire Dales National Park website.
Ingleborough map
Ingleborough walking route and map
