Norber, Thwaite and Trow Gill.
Start. Clapham.
Route. Clapham - Thwaite Lane - New Close Plantation - Norber - Thwaite - Lang Scar - Clapham Bottoms - Trow Gill - Ingleborough Cave - Clapdale Drive - Clapham.
Notes. Today I was in the hills above Clapham in the Dale's of Yorkshire, a wander through stunning limestone scenery, a karst landscape borne at the bottom of a warm tropical ocean over 300 million years ago, scoured by ice, sculptured by wind and rain to form the unique scenery we see today. I strolled between limestone walls guided by a once monastic highway, wandered through a field of eerie boulders deposited by the retreating Crummock Dale Glacier over 12,000 years ago, picked my way across limestone scars rising between the valleys of Clapdale and Crummack Dale. A slippery descent into the confines of Trow Gill lead to the head of Clapdale Drive followed by a wander through the grounds of Ingleborough Hall, gardens laid out by the father of the modern rock garden, Reginald Farrer, famous botanist and plant collector. All this and more on a rare day when the sun was shining.
Thwaite Lane guided me out of Clapham, under the grounds of Ingleborough Hall via two dank tunnels, gaining height with every step I ascended between dry stone walls, just under a mile of easy walking followed as Thwaite Lane carried me to a ladder stile allowing access to New Close Plantation, and a delightful green trod that in turn carried me to Norber. In the shadow of Robin Proctor's Scar I walked before a finger-post invited me to ascend a gully into the Norber Boulder Fields. Through this field of eerie sentinels laid down at the end of the last ice age I wandered, a ladder stile aided my crossing of the final intake wall, allowing me access to Thwaite. I ascended into a land of broken limestone pavements backed by stunning views, I slowly picked my way north, narrow paths guiding me between limestone scars eventually depositing me at an ancient cairn on Long Scar, this marked a change in direction.
To the west I descended, ignoring Long Lane I dropped into Clapham Bottoms, this short descent was immediately followed by a sharp ascent to gain access to the main path onto Ingleborough, on reaching said path I turned left to descend a dry valley. This narrow valley guided me to the head of Trow Gill, a spectacular collapsed cavern cut by glacial melt water. Over a good path I strolled, a few hundred yards of easy walking followed before reaching Ingleborough Show Cave, well worth the entrance fee if time permits. It also marked the start of Clapdale Drive, a land rover track leading through the grounds of Ingleborough Hall, a very popular path walked my many, it was the first time today I had company. Clapdale Drive guided me between the plantings of Reginald Farrer, past a splendid folly and ornamental lake, a delightful end to the days ramblings.
Marking the start of Thwaite Lane, the Church of St James.
The scene over Clapdale, in sunlight and shade the Ingleborough massif.
To the north reaching across the skyline, the Forest of Bowland.
Robin Proctor's Scar as seen over New Close Plantation.
Rising shear from Crummack Dale the wonderful limestone escarpment of Moughton.
Viewing Robin Proctor's Scar across a river of limestone scree flowing from Norber.
The hills of Bowland as seen over the valley of the River Wenning.
The formidable cliffs and limestone scars of Moughton as seen from Norber.
The Norber Boulder Fields provide a fine view point, here we have Smearsett and Pot Scars backed by the Settle skyline, Warrendale Knotts and Attermire Scar.
Moughton seen across the green fields of Crummack Dale.
The endless view from Norber.
As I ascended Thwaite the bulk of Pen-y-ghent tilts into view.
Guarded by broken limestone scars the summit of Thwaite.
Ingleborough seen over Clapham Bottoms.
Rising above Ribblesdale looking rather imposing Pen-y-ghent.
One of the stunning views to be had from the traverse of Thwaite, Upper Ribblesdale across Moughton Scars.
Toiling out of Clapham Bottoms looking back to Thwaite.
Little Ingleborough and its big brother, Ingleborough, seen over Brunt Riggs Moss.
In the confines of Trow Gill.
Walkers descend between the limestone cliffs of Trow Gill.
Looking to Thwaite from the dry valley above Ingleborough Cave.
Fell Beck plunges into Gaping Gill less than a mile above Trow Gill, emerging as Clapham Beck at Beck Head next to Ingleborough Cave, the rest of my walk will be in it's company, albeit sometimes rather high above it.
Rambling along Clapdale Drive.
The Lake, here's a piece of useless information, the heavily afforested cliffs you're looking at were planted by Reginald Farrer, seeds being packed into shot gun cartridges then fired from a small boat into the cliff face, he hasn't made such a bad job.
Clapham Beck immerges into the village as a wonderful waterfall.