The market town of Settle offers an ideal base for exploring the Southern Dales and the picturesque Forest of Bowland. The town attracts walkers, rock climbers and cavers drawn to the dramatic scars and limestone landscape of Upper Ribblesdale.  Underground, the labyrinth of caves is a wonder world that cavers worldwide seek out. Rock climbers too are in their element tackling the rocky crags and walkers of all levels enjoy the many walking routes from low level walks to the most challenging three peaks. The iconic Settle-Carlisle Heritage Railway runs through the town and is an excellent way to enjoy the wonderful landscape for those that like a more sedentary pace of life but still enjoy magnificent views of dramatic scenery.

Clapham

The charming village of Clapham nestles below Ingleborough, 6 miles northwest of Settle.  On the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, it is home to two famous icons, the playwright Alan Bennett and Ingleborough Cave!  The village has a lovely 650-year-old church, St James’, and is extremely popular with walkers and cyclists due to the nearby stunning walks and trails.  The Old Sawmill café, at the entrance of Ingleborough Nature Trail in Clapham village, is a beautifully preserved listed building with a picturesque garden and ever-changing menu making it a great place to eat and drink before and after a nice walk.

Ingleborough Estate Nature Trail

Ingleborough Estate Nature Trail is a beautiful walk through 1.3 miles of woodland with walking routes for all ages and abilities. The Trail is the gateway to some of the UK’s most stunning limestone scenery including Ingleborough Cave, Trow Gill Gorge, Gaping Gill pothole, limestone pavements, the Norber Erratics and ultimately the summit of Ingleborough, one of the famous Yorkshire Three Peaks.  

Ingleborough Cave

If you want to follow in the footsteps of early Victorian explorers, try venturing 500 metres underground into one of the UK's most jaw dropping natural wonders. The caves were first discovered in 1837 by candle bearing Victorian explorers who drained away a lake and went on to discover 1/2 km of previously unexplored passages delving deep beneath Ingleborough mountain. Now, the cave is well lit and you can follow in the footsteps of those pioneers on an awe-inspiring voyage of discovery.  A concrete footpath leads visitors past breath-taking stalactites, stalagmites and flowstones. Led by expert guides through a kilometre of passages, you will experience formations and artefacts dating back millions of years!   

The Pennine Way And Three Peaks Walk

Enjoy this inspiring landscape on foot with plenty of walks available to you here. The Pennine Way crosses the summit of Pen-y-ghent and the Ribble Way follows the River Ribble from its source at the foot of Whernside. Of course, the most most famous walk is the Three Peaks, a 23-mile circular route taking in the three peaks of Ingleborough, Whernside and Pen-y-ghent.  

Ingleton, Ingleton Waterfalls And White Scar Cave

Ingleton is nestled in the foothills of Ingleborough and is known as the ‘Gateway to the Three Peaks’. Dominated by the imposing 11 arched viaduct, the legacy of the railway that brought the first visitor to the area, it is still one of the most visited villages in the Dales. Ingleton was mentioned in the Domesday Book and its name means ‘Beacon Town’ and was originally settled in the Iron Age by the Brigantes.  The Ingleton Waterfall Trail is a beautiful 4½ mile circular walk past tumbling waterfalls and rushing water which you can extend by 1½ miles to visit White Scar Cave, the longest show cave in Britain.

Did You Know

The walk to Ingleborough from Clapham has been named amongst the top best mountain walks in the UK. The Sunday Times included the route in a list of seven best mountain walks for a weekend away, alongside Quiraing circuit, Skye, Highland; Vale of Edale circuit, Peak District, Derbyshire; and Mosedale Horseshoe, Lake District, Cumbria.