Ingleborough Mountain

Ingleborough is a prominent limestone fell in the Yorkshire Dales National Park in North Yorkshire, England, with a summit at 723 metres above sea level. It is one of the best-known hills in the Dales and a distinctive local landmark.

The hill offers broad views from the summit across the Dales and is noted for its limestone pavements, scars and cave systems. Caves and potholes on its slopes include show caves and major pothole systems, and the summit plateau has visible prehistoric cairns and exposed rock formations that attract walkers and cavers.

The geology of Ingleborough is dominated by Carboniferous limestone with overlying millstone grit; human activity on the fell includes prehistoric burial cairns on the summit and later upland grazing. Over time parts of the area have been subject to quarrying and cave exploration, while other areas are managed for conservation and recreation.

The fell sits in the western Yorkshire Dales near the villages of Ingleton and Clapham, within North Yorkshire and the Yorkshire Dales National Park. It occupies a prominent position on the skyline and can be reached by footpaths from several surrounding villages.

• Summit elevation: 723 metres (2,372 feet) above sea level.
• Three Peaks route: Forms one peak of the Yorkshire Three Peaks; the full Three Peaks circuit is roughly 37.5 km and is a popular walking challenge.

What to See#

• Ingleborough Cave: Located on the fell’s southern and western slopes, this major cave system is open to visitors on guided tours and features show-cave passages formed in Carboniferous limestone.
• Gaping Gill: A large natural pothole system on the slopes of the hill, noted for its deep shaft and extensive underground chamber; it is a well-known feature for cavers and speleologists.
• Summit plateau: The broad summit plateau contains Bronze Age burial cairns and stretches of limestone pavement, providing the high point and main viewpoint on the hill.

Ingleborough sits in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. A common public-transit access point is Horton-in-Ribblesdale railway station on the Settle-Carlisle line; from Horton you can walk onto the marked paths that lead up Ingleborough. By car, use the A65 and then local minor roads to reach parking and trailheads at Horton, Clapham or Ingleton.

• Start early or late in the day to enjoy the best light and avoid peak Three Peaks walkers - weekdays and shoulder-season mornings are noticeably quieter on Ingleborough.
• Common route starters are the villages of Clapham or Ribblehead; choosing a less-frequented approach (rather than the popular Three Peaks circuit) reduces crowding and gives different views over Whernside and the viaduct.
• Don't miss the summit views across Ribblesdale and toward the Ribblehead Viaduct - lingering on the summit at quieter times offers the best photo opportunities.