It is a cracking day and one where I am going to walk on my own with Crosby. These days Dexter cannot cope with long walks on hot days so he and Lynnie are going to stay around the caravan. When visiting this area it is always a certainty that I will walk up Ingleborough at least once, the only question is how soon after our arrival. This time it is within 24 hours!
My starting point is the Yorkshire Dales car park in the attractive village of Clapham, only a short drive from Giggleswick. Turning right out of the car park I walk up to the village church and then take the track to the right leading uphill through the tunnels by Ingleborough Hall.
As the track levels out I turn left at a junction to walk along another track Long Lane, to my right is the stunning Robin Proctor’s Scar.
As the name suggests Long Lane, is a long straight track, with a limestone scar on one side and Clapham Beck flowing down to the left.
As I head along I see the entrance to Ingleborough Cave on the other side of the beck.
This route is part of the Pennine Bridleway, but after going through a gate the bridleway veers to the right whereas I follow a fainter path across the access land before turning left to follow a track above Trow Gill.
This grassy track brings me to a couple of walled gates, which I cross and then follow the route through the limestone outcrops to reach a path. At a fork where to the right is Gaping Gill I go left towards Little Ingleborough.
This ascent of Ingleborough is my favourite, the first time I did it was thirty years ago and I kept on thinking I was reaching the summit, only to discover there was still more climbing to do. These days the route is easier with the flagstone path and steps.
At the top of Little Ingleborough is a cairn, this has been here for some time, but it has now been built into a tower. Walking around the Country I have noticed in the last year or so that this has become somewhat of a trend. I suppose it is no bad thing if it helps people navigate their way in poor conditions.
From here the final ascent of Ingleborough is straightforward.
On the summit I walk over to the trig point and then turn to take in the view of Whernside.
Continuing across the summit I take a look at the Ribblehead Viaduct.
Leaving the summit on the eastern side I start my descent; in front of me is Simon Fell and Park Fell and in the far distance is the Cam High Road, the Roman Road that crosses this section of the Pennines.
As the path divides I take the right fork to follow the Dales High Way heading towards Horton-in-Ribblesdale.
Crossing the stream near Nick Pot Crosby decides it is time for a drink. We then go through a gate continuing along the Three Peaks Path still towards Horton.
After passing through a section of limestone pavement I reach a crossing of paths at Sulber Cross I turn right and head towards Sulber Gate and then turn left through a gate in the dry stone wall and get a cracking view of the limestone pavement covering Thieves Moss.
My route follows this indistinct path across the limestone pavement to reach Moughton Scars.
With the aid of a cairn I know I am on the right route.
The views from here are stunning; to my right is Crummack Dale.
To my left is Pen-y-ghent
On reaching the Moughton Scars I follow a pathway through the limestone pavement.
At a junction of paths I take a clear grassy track through the scar face. In front of me is another stunning view of the scar.
The clear path descends through the access land to reach a gate to follow a track steadily downhill.
I stay on this track as it sweeps to the left and then goes through a gate to continue between fields. The track now continues below Studrigg Scar.
At a junction of tracks I ignore a turning to the right and stay on my route to reach the attractive hamlet of Wharfe, where I head towards a minor road and then turn right towards Austwick. After crossing Mill Bridge I ignore the first footpath on my right, but take the second, Thwaite Lane, this heads steadily uphill to reach a tarmac lane, Crummack Lane, which I cross to continue along Thwaite Lane.
The route is now very straightforward, I simply stay on Thwaite Lane to head back to Clapham, to my right is Robin Proctor’s Scar. Apparently this scar gets its name from a local farmer, Robin Proctor, who used to ride his horse to the pub, the horse knew the route home well so when Robin over imbibed the horse returned him safely. However on a stormy night with too much ale on board he took the wrong horse from the pub stable. The horse not knowing the route home made a mistake and took both he and the well-oiled Robin over the edge of the scar to their death.
Back at the car in Clapham I have covered just over 13 miles on a warm afternoon. It has been a cracking afternoon’s walk covering two of my favourite areas in the Dales.
To view this 13 mile walk on OS Maps Click Here
To follow our walk you will need Ordnance Survey Outdoor Leisure Map OL2 Yorkshire Dales – Southern & Western.
12th July 2019
© Two Dogs and an Awning (2019)