Walk of the Month: Ingleborough Estate Nature Trail Circular Routes
We like to help you explore the area whilst you’re staying with us. For those of you that can get out on foot, we hope our monthly walks help give you a little inspiration whether you visit us weekly, monthly or just once a year.
This month, we’re giving you 4 walks for the price of 1, all starting from the Ingleborough Estate Nature Trail, in Clapham.
Before you start, you can select the walk which suits you best – each provide beautiful views and interesting features along the way. Starting from a short circular walk, they build in distance, elevation and difficulty, offering something for everyone, no matter how experienced a walker you are.
The routes:
The Cave Circuit – A 2.85 mile saunter along the nature trail to the entrance of Ingleborough Cave, where you could then choose to follow the footsteps of the first brave Victorian explorers by venturing 500m beneath Ingleborough mountain. You can then complete this circular route, or just meander back down the trail.
Trekking to Trow Gill – A 3.85 mile trek following the Cave circuit walk before continuing on to Trow Gill, an impressive gorge made from limestone. You can then cross the valley and complete the circular loop.
Galloping to Gaping Gill – Moving up to a 5.45 mile gallop to see the U.K’s most famous pothole, Gaping Gill. The main chamber measures an impressive 129m long, 31m high and 25m wide. Whilst on this walk you can only take a glance, however for a week-period in May and August the Bradford Pothole Club & Craven Pothole club run a ‘winch meet’ event allowing the public to descend into the chamber. From here you will descend into Clapham Bottom, before climbing back up to Long Lane to complete the route.
Classic Ingleborough Circular – For the seasoned walkers amongst you, this 10.4 mile loop takes you past the cave, Trow Gill and Gaping Gill, and continues on until you summit Ingleborough, on the famous Yorkshire 3 peaks. You will then follow part of the Dale’s High Way before following the Pennine Bridleway back down into Clapham.
Terrain: Ranging from low level to a mountain summit depending on your choice of route. You will follow hard paths and grass tracks. Please be aware that it can be muddy and slippery in wet weather and some stiles can be a little difficult, so sensible footwear is advised. Grab your walking boots and view the route here
Please make sure to follow the countryside code, leaving gates how you find them, and keeping dogs on a lead near livestock and nesting bird areas.
Walk info:
It will take you around 15 minutes to drive to the start of this route.
There are toilets in Clapham National Park Car Park and at The Old Sawmill Cafe at the start of the trail. Why not treat yourself to a pre or post walk treat there, including their yummy coffees and cakes.
Walk maps for this walk and many others can be found in our park reception . Let us know if you’ve enjoyed the route and please do share your snaps on our social media pages so others can be inspired.
Cave info:
If you are interested in checking out Ingleborough Cave whilst you are on the Nature Trail, you can find all the information you will need here.
The cave is self-guided, and is a 0.3m walk underground, so 0.6m total. There are no steps, but two stooping low levels.
If you are interested in caves, there is also nearby White Scar Caves, which holds guided tours 7 days a week, and is situated on the other side of Ingleborough.
