Ingleborough Cave from Clapham

• All weather walk in the trees
• Stunning bluebell fields and rhododendrons
• Clapham is a picturesque Dales village

This walk has many advantages, not least that in the spring and summer months it can be an extraordinarily pretty place to spend time in. I have walked to Ingleborough Cave on a hard winter’s day to visit Santa’s Grotto, a wet autumn day with the children, part of the walk past Gaping Gill to Ingleborough and on a summer’s circuit of the lake. However the fact that there is a charge to go on the walk  just goes against all my principles of freedom of access and it is not till I have arrived at the Cave I have de- grumped. Then at the cave commercialisation rears its head again with a cafe and signs encouraging you to enter the cave at a large cost (£6 for adults, £3 for children). The caves however are good and for anyone particularly children who have not seen stalactites and  stalacmites in the flesh it is probably worth a one off visit. Clapdale itself comprises of woodland, a large artificial lake and then a particularly attractive picnic area by Clapham Beck as you near Ingleborough Cave. The walk is definitely best when the bluebells and the rhododendrons are in bloom (end of May/early June) and it is also possible to create a circuit of the walk by crossing Clapham Beck on to Long Lane thus avoiding some of the dreary retreat in the trees. The walk can also be improved by continuing past the cave to view the spectacular slices of rock which make up Trow Gill. Beside the beck is an excellent spot for a picnic.

Recommend: Great for a genuine split ability party. Some may retreat at the cave, keener walkers can continue up the flanks of Ingleborough past Gaping Gill.

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© Crown copyright 2010 Ordnance Survey. Image produced from the Ordnance Survey Get-a-map service. Image reproduced with kind permission of Ordnance Survey and Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland.

OS Map:	O/S 1.25,000. OL2 Yorkshire Dales Southern & Western Area
Start Point:	746693. There is a large car park in the centre of Clapham where you then cross the river to gain the (obvious) access to the path for the Cave.
Terrain:	The bridleway to the cave is broad, if a little rough and is suitable for push chairs and possibly even wheelchairs.
Eating & Drinking:	Near the car park is a very fine tea shop overlooking the river, as well as the New Inn 100 yards further down the road.
Similar Walks Nearby:	Ingleton Waterfalls Walk Limestone Walking above Feizor Norber Erratics from Austwick
Places to Stay: