Every time we come to the Yorkshire Dales Lynnie requests that we add a new walk to our repertoire. The problem is there are so many walks here that I enjoy that it sometimes difficult to squeeze them all into a visit.
Today I have promised Lynnie that we will do a new walk. She is slightly suspicious when we head off to Clapham; she knows this is the start of my favourite circular walk up Inglegborough. However, as we leave the village by the tunnels alongside the church she knows we must be heading somewhere different.
After passing through the tunnels our route continues up hill along a track, at a junction of tracks we keep straight on along Thwaite Lane and follow this all the way to the end.
I always enjoy the view across to Robin Proctor’s Scar from this track. We resist the temptation to take a diversion and wander up the scar to view the Norber Erratics.
When the track meets a road we go straight across continuing on a track until we reach a second road. Here we turn left towards Wharfe. On reaching Mill Bridge we turn left just before the road crosses a brook. This track leads us on a winding journey into Wharfe.
This is a delightful hamlet of old farmhouses and out buildings and it is beautifully located to make the most of the fabulous view. The roads in the village are all tracks and we get the sense of stepping back in time.
Passing through the village we go left towards Crummack along a stunning track. Walled on both sides but with fantastic views of scars on either side of the valley. At a fork we go right and continue on a walled path passing below Studrigg Scar.
After going through a gate the wall on one side has fallen into disrepair, but the track continues and swings to start climbing towards the scar face. There looks no way through but as we go through a gate a clear path can be seen and we follow this to the top of the scar.
What a cracking spot. On one side stunning views across Crummack Dale and then as we turn there is a huge expanse of limestone pavement.
This walk is going to be added to my list of favourites. Our route continues through the limestone pavement, passing grouse butts to reach a ladder stile. We cross and then turn left to follow a path alongside the wall (at the stile if we had carried straight on over two more fields we would have reached the edge of the huge Horton Quarry).
Through a gate and across a field we arrive at a junction of paths. We turn left heading towards Ingleborough and then on reaching a cross roads turn left towards Sulber Gate. We are back on the Pennine Bridleway and follow this towards Long Lane.
At the gate for Long Lane we decide to drop to the path that leads through the Ingleborough Estate back to Clapham. There are two reasons for going this way. First there is a café at Ingleborough cave that sells ice cream. Lynnie speeds off with my wallet and returns with a Solaro, for the next five minutes she makes odd sounds whilst consuming her ice cream. An ex-colleague of hers once told her that a Solaro was better than sex. I tactfully avoid asking Lynnie for her opinion.
The second reason for going this way is that it was one of my mother’s favourite spots in Yorkshire. It is lovely and I can see why mum liked it so much.
Back at Clapham I fancy a sharpener to end the afternoon. But we cannot stop as Lolly and Toby are coming for dinner this evening and I will be joining them tomorrow to tackle the three peaks.
My Suunto Traverse reads just over ten miles for today’s walk. It has been a top-notch afternoon and a good warm up for tomorrow.
To view this walk on OS Maps Click Here
To follow this walk you will need Ordnance Survey Outdoor Leisure Map OL2 – Yorkshire Dales Southern and Western areas
12th May 2016
© Two Dogs and an Awning (2016)