A spectacular walk at Ingleborough (From The Westmorland Gazette)

A spectacular walk at Ingleborough

10:00am Friday 13th May 2011 in Walks By Mary Welsh

Park in the layby on the east side B6255, Ingleton to Hawes road, half a mile from Ingleton, grid ref 702733. It fills up quickly so get there early. There is more parking on the same side a little higher up the road. From here return a short way downhill to pick up the start of the walk below.

Ingleborough (2,379 feet) is the second highest fell in the Yorkshire Dales. It is one of the three peaks and with its flat top and tiered slopes is the most well known of the three. Choose a good day for this walk so that you can get to the summit and enjoy the fabulous view, though if mist does come down (and it so often does) the walk part way up is very attractive.

1 Leave the layby by a grassy trod that climbs steadily uphill to join a track. Go with it as it bend left. You will probably prefer to remain on the grass beside the track until you reach the start of pleasing walled Fell Lane. Enjoy this delightful enclosed way. After nearly one mile, with ever increasing spectacular limestone formations of White Scars to your left, emerge from the walled way and descend to a flatter area with velvety grass, rather badly cut up by tractor wheels. Go on by the picturesque farm at Crina Bottom, set around with fine ash trees and with wonderful limestone scarps behind the dwelling.

2 Then the distinct way climbs steadily and relentlessly, over peaty moorland towards the summit. Pause often to enjoy the view and to get your breath back. Go on up through the tiered limestone. Eventually you reach the harder last climb up the gritstone cap, where you bear left to attain the broad dry plateau, half a mile in circumference, where there is a trig point, a cairn and a wind shelter. If the day is warm you will want to linger and have your lunch here.

3 Descend by the same route. If you have not managed to get to the top and have had to return because of the mist, perhaps when you reach the start of walled Fell Lane, you might like to turn right and climb the slope, with the wall to your left. After a short ascent you reach the dramatic top of White Scars where you will enjoy the fabulous limestone features.

Information

Distance: 6miles

Time: 3-4 hours

Terrain: Good paths and tracks, eroded paths, rough paths, slippery paths, steep paths.

Map: OS Explorer OL2

Refreshments: Good choice in Ingleton

NB: Restrictions on space mean that this article provides a general summary of the route. It is advisable for anyone who plans to follow the walk to take a copy of the relevant Ordnance Survey map.