Ingleborough from Clapham

From the car park you head out through the estate approach toward Ingleborough Cave, either on the nature trail (a small fee may apply) or the parallel walled track. Above the cave the path squeezes into Trow Gill, a narrow limestone gorge, then opens onto the fell past Gaping Gill, the huge shaft where Fell Beck disappears underground. From there it is a steep pull onto Little Ingleborough and a walk across the stony plateau to the summit cairn and shelter. The return drops east near Nick Pot and comes back through Clapham Bottoms and the Long Lane corridor.

This is a demanding day hike rather than a stroll. The distance is long, the climb to Little Ingleborough is steep, and the descent is on rough ground for a good while before the lane walking at the end. Bring proper boots, layers, food and water, and be honest about whether everyone in the group can keep going for six hours.

Expect grass, peat, stone paths, sections of bare limestone pavement with gaps to catch a boot, and a rocky, largely pathless summit plateau. The high ground is noticeably colder and windier than Clapham, and there is little to hide behind. Navigation is the real skill here: in cloud or mist it is easy to leave the summit plateau in the wrong direction, so carry a map and compass and know the bearing you need before you commit to the descent. Take care near the edge of Gaping Gill and around the other open shafts on the fell.

Dogs are welcome under the usual Dales rules. Keep them on a lead on public rights of way and anywhere near livestock, and use a short lead from March to July.

The payoff is concentrated in the middle of the day. The opening and closing miles are pleasant but fairly gentle track and lane walking, so you commit to a long approach and a long return for the gorge, the cave mouth and the summit. If you want a quick look at the estate or the cave alone, that is a different and much shorter outing.