Ingleborough through Clapdale.
Start. Clapham.
Route. Clapham - Clapdale Drive - Ingleborough Cave - Trow Gill - Gaping Gill - Thack Pot - Little Ingleborough - Ingleborough - Limestone Load - Knoutberry Hole - Newby Moss - Harryhorse Stone - Newby Cote - Old Road - Clapham.
Notes. Ingleborough through Clapdale return via Newby Cote, a walk that gets you away from the Ingleborough disciples that flock to the summit of this ever popular hill. They'll be no escaping them on the walk through Clapdale, as this sylvan trail is the route to Ingleborough Cave. I was fortunate, I set out early encountering one walker, two fell runners and a young couple with a tiny baby well wrapped against the cold on the summit, it seems she wouldn't sleep so a quick dash up from Ingleton always does the trick, why didn't I ever think of that when my two wouldn't sleep, which was often.
Greeting me at the north west corner of the village was the start of the Ingleborough Estate Nature Trail, it's impossible to miss, there's a small charge, I paid, it's worth it. With a good path to guide me I wandered between the plantings of Reginald Farrer father of the rock garden. I strolled passed The Lake then the Grotto, a fine folly, the woods were alive with rivers of Bluebells sweeping across the forest floor, adding a splash of colour to the fresh greens of late spring. I escaped the trees via a kissing gate only 400 yards from Ingleborough Cave. After passing the cave my route entered Trow Gill, a steep sided ravine cut by glacial melt water around 12,000 years ago. I ascended, the shear limestone cliffs squeezing me into a narrow gap, I popped out onto the moor to be gifted with my first view to Ingleborough. On I walked through a landscape of low limestone cliffs, caves and sink holes, a stile aided my crossing of the final intake before I was able to wander on to Gaping Gill. A tent village seems to have sprung up around the cavern, I guess it's that time of year when caving clubs charge a small fee to members of the public wishing to visit the vast cave, a Bosuns chair allows safe access, I shunned the brightly coloured scene and ascended Little Ingleborough.
Once on Little Ingleborough it was a short ridge walk to the summit of the hill itself, I wandered around, took some photos, had a chat to other walkers before descending to the south west. Once above the Limestone Load I turned left, a line of sink holes then guided me back to the ridge path I'd traversed earlier, a few yards along said ridge I was off again, this time a faint path guided me under the upper slopes of Little Ingleborough, I visited a splendid cairn, before leaving this path. To the south I walked to access a faint path descending to Newby Cote, rarely walked this lovely green trod was a delight, just me the mountain birds and a few sheep. I descended over boggy ground, lower down limestone scars cut through the thin top soil, then a scattering of erratic boulders welcomed me, too soon I was wandering beside a dry stone wall, passing the farm buildings at Newby Cote where I stepped onto a grey ribbon of tarmac. This was Old Road, a road sign announced it was only a mile over tarmac back to Clapham.
Broken Bridge, Clapham, why Broken? because an earlier one was washed away in a storm.
Wandering passed The Lake, part of Ingleborough Estate Nature Trail.
Rivers of Bluebells sweep through the woodland this time of year.
Views over Clapdale from the Grotto.
Passed en-route, Ingleborough Show Cave.
Trow Gill a ravine carved out by glacial melt water at the end of the last ice age.
The exit of Trow Gill looks rather imposing as you approach.
Free of the confines of the valley my first view to Ingleborough.
Looming above Ribblesdale, the dark mass of Pen-y-ghent.
Ascending, safely guided by a narrow path, with views back to Little Ingleborough.
As seen from the vast summit plateau, Twisleton Scars backed by Gragareth.
Dappled light on Twisleton Scars, the green fields of Twisleton Dale with Kingsdale in the shadow of Gragareth.
The Stunning view from Ingleborough, rising above the head of Ribblesdale, Whernside.
The people have gone, I'm all alone with my thoughts and the ghosts of the Brigant's, the hill dwellers who occupied this platau over 2,000 years ago.
Sink holes guide me across the Limestone Load.
The high skyline is Ingleborough, Little Ingleborough is to my back.
Standing sentinel on the western slopes of Little Ingleborough, a fine cairn with a equally fine view.
Breath-taking views from the cairn on Little Ingleborough, White Scars, Crina Bottom and the vast expanse of the Lune Valley.
My descent route, rarely walked but there's me and a lone walker heading up the hill.
Near Cote Gill Head looking to Pen-y-ghent and Fountains Fell.
Lime Kiln above Newby Cote.
Views west from near Newby Cote.