Ingleborough and Gaping Gill

• The finest route up Ingleborough
• Explore Gaping Gill and Trow Gill
• Relaxed descent with good views

There are a number of routes up Ingleborough but my favourite by some distance is that from Clapham via Trow Gill and Gaping Gill and finally over Little Ingleborough. The descent over Newby Moss is straightforward and quick without being steep which is ideal as far as I am concerned. There are 3 other well used routes (steep from Chapel le Dale in the North, a track lacking variety and character from Ingleton and long to Horton in Ribbledale) but the Clapham route has the greatest variety and interest. Much of the variety is due to the geology of the mountain. The thin layer of millstone grit which caps the summit of Ingleborough gives way at about 1500′ to limestone and as a result something extraordinary happens. Streams simply disappear in to the ground reappearing up to a 1000 foot lower down on the harder bedrock of Clapdale. Gaping Gill is the finest example of this in the country with the network of caves below the surface world famous. Trow Gill on the lower slopes is a narrow gap between the rock formed when melted ice slammed through many 1000s of years past. Higher up, the highway from Little Ingleborough to the summit plateau is really enjoyable with far reaching views across the River Lune to the West and Pen y Ghent, many miles away to the East.

Recommend:  If you can persuade someone to lower you in to Gaping Gill do but ensure their rope is secure!

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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 behind the tea shop!
Terrain:	Height 2372'. A very obvious ascent on a major bridleway with the section from Gaping Gill to Little Ingleborough a major example of repairing a seriously eroded path. The descent from Little Ingleborough can often be wet and difficult to follow but aim SSW and you can't go wrong
Eating & Drinking:	The New Inn definitely justifies the quick descent but Croft Cafe is also a top tea shop, try and fit them both in.
Similar Walks Nearby:	Norber Erratics from Austwick Pen y Ghent from Horton in Ribblesdale Great Coum via Gragarth
Places to Stay:	Halsteads Barn, Bentham