INGLEBOROUGH is a fine mountain. It can be approached from four alternative routes, but this one from Ingleton is probably the most straightforward.
The return is normally via the same route, but a different descent down the steeper grassy slopes from Little Ingleborough is preferable.
The walk starts roadside on the B6255 which runs from Ingleton to Ribblehead. The start is through open sheep countryside on a wide bridleway.
After half a mile the track becomes a lane enclosed on each side by stone walls. After one mile the track leaves the lane through a gate and past two benches.
It's a little early to stop for a break, though, so continue up past Crina Bottom, a lonely house recently turned into a small, off grid bed and breakfast. The farmhouse was built in 1630 and being a mile-and-a-half from the road has its own power (wind) and biomass boiler. The walk continues past the house, alongside a small stream until it starts to climb towards the distant mountain.
Ingleborough looks great from here. The flat-topped summit is beautifully shown with a blue sky behind (clearly in cloud you will have to imagine the views!).
The path now climbs steadily through limestone outcrops for one mile until you're confronted with the final steep pull onto the summit plateau.
The path at this stage is steep and rocky, but the steep section doesn't last long and soon pops out on the vast, nearly flat summit plateau. Fortunately this route up Ingleborough emerges very close to the summit marked by an enormous cairn, trig point and large cross shelter. The views across to Whernside, to the north, are very impressive.
The summit has an interesting history. Although it’s now believed that the plateau was used in the Bronze Age for some rituals and paganism, for a long while it was believed to be a Roman fort. More recently (in the early 19th Century) a building was constructed as a shelter for those shooting grouse. Sadly it was burned down in the 1830s after a wild night partying... allegedly!
From the summit it's easy to return via the outbound route but better (in good weather) is to head just north of east for 250m to a path, marked by a cairn, that descends from the plateau to your right/south. After a rough start the path flattens and heads due south for one mile towards Little Ingleborough.
Before reaching Little Ingleborough veer off the track to your right/west and join a faint path in the short grass heading just south of west. The path is intermittent but it doesn't matter if you don't follow it as this is easy terrain and in access land with a right to roam. It's nearly two miles down the nearly uniform slopes to the Old Road at Cold Cotes, with splendid views to the west – not mountainous, but all the way to Morecambe Bay.
Towards the road the walls on either side will funnel you in to a farm track that connects with the road. Turn right and follow the road downhill for a mile-and-a-half into Ingleton.
WALK FACTS
Distance: 8 miles.
Height to climb: 620m (2,040 feet).
Start: SD 708738. There are two large car parks in the town centre, less than ten minutes walk from the start of the bridleway.
Difficulty: Moderate/hard. The walk is tougher returning via Ingleborough Common.
Refreshments: There is a choice of pubs and cafes in Ingleton.
Be prepared: The route description and sketch map only provide a guide to the walk. You must take out and be able to read a map (O/S Explorer OL2) and in cloudy/misty conditions a compass. You must also wear the correct clothing and footwear for the outdoors. Whilst every effort is made to provide accurate information, walkers head out at their own risk. Please observe the Countryside Code and park sensibly.
* Jonathan Smith runs Where2walk, a walking company based in the Yorkshire Dales.
He has published three books on walks in the Dales – The Yorkshire 3 Peaks, The Dales 30 Mountains and the new Walks without Stiles, all of which (and more) are available direct from the Where2walk website.
Also on the site you can book a navigation training day in Long Preston (two levels – beginners or mountain skills), the first available date for which is April 15. Where2walk.co.uk also features hundreds of walks across Yorkshire and beyond, from easy strolls to harder climbs.
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