Clapham to Ingleborough Cave Trail, Trow Gill and Gaping Gill
Walk from Clapham to Ingleborough Cave, Trow Gill and Gaping Gill: route map, distance, time estimate, what to expect and safety tips for this Yorkshire Dales trail.
From the village of Clapham, a woodland path leads to a show cave, a limestone ravine and the mouth of Gaping Gill, one of Britain’s best-known potholes.
Find places to stay nearby
Choose a base that fits your visit.
Compare places to stay near the route →Live prices from Booking.com. Affiliate link: Days Out Now may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Affiliate links: Days Out Now may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Prices and availability are set by the booking provider.
⛰️ Clapham to Ingleborough Cave, Trow Gill and Gaping Gill
Moderate out-and-back walk | Clapham, Yorkshire Dales
This route starts in Clapham and follows the beck and woodland path up to Ingleborough Cave. It then climbs through Trow Gill, a narrow limestone ravine, and on to Gaping Gill, where the stream drops into a huge underground chamber. The mapped route turns round at Gaping Gill and returns the same way.
📍 Route List
A). Clapham village car park (start and finish)
B). Ingleborough Cave (show cave entrance area)
C). Trow Gill (limestone ravine)
D). Gaping Gill (turn-around point)
Places to Stay Near Clapham
Use the map below to compare places to stay in and around Clapham and Ingleton for your dates.
🥾 Route Breakdown
A). Clapham village car park (start and finish)
Start at the main car park in Clapham. From here, follow the signed path past the church and along the beck towards Ingleborough Cave. Check parking charges and opening on the day.
B). Ingleborough Cave
The path runs through woodland on the Ingleborough Estate. The estate has charged a small toll for this path in the past, so carry a little cash and check the signs. Ingleborough Cave itself is a show cave found in 1837, with a fossil gallery of about 500 metres open to visitors when the cave is open. Check the cave’s own website for opening times and prices.
Highlight: The beck, the woodland and the cave mouth
C). Trow Gill
Beyond the cave the path climbs into Trow Gill, a narrow limestone gorge formed when a cave roof collapsed. At the top it opens onto the moor and gives you your first big view of Ingleborough.
Highlight: The sheer limestone walls and the view as you leave the gorge
D). Gaping Gill (turn-around point)
Gaping Gill is one of the largest cave systems in the Dales. The opening looks small compared with what lies underneath, and the stream falls straight into the dark. Keep well back from the edge, keep children and dogs close, and then return the way you came.
Highlight: The stream disappearing into the ground
📏 Distance, Time & Difficulty
- Distance: about 9.6 km (6 miles) out and back, measured from our route line
- Time: roughly 3 to 4 hours with stops (an estimate for dry conditions)
- Difficulty: Moderate. A steady climb on stony paths, with a rougher section through Trow Gill
- Terrain: Woodland path, limestone steps and rocky moorland track
- Route type: Out and back (the mapped line retraces itself)
ℹ️ Practical Information
Getting there
Clapham is in the Yorkshire Dales, a short drive from Ingleton and Settle. Use the village car park as the start.
Cost
There may be a small estate toll on the path, and the show cave charges its own entry fee. Check current prices before you go.
Weather and safety
The upper part of the route is exposed moorland. Wear boots with grip, take a waterproof and check the forecast. Stay on the path and keep well clear of the edges at Gaping Gill. Caves beyond the public show cave are for experienced cavers only.
Dogs
Livestock graze across the Dales, so keep dogs on a lead near sheep and cattle, and well away from the Gaping Gill shaft.
About the route file
The route line on our map is approximate and is a guide to the shape of the walk. Follow local signs and use a proper walking map on the day.
Clapham to Gaping Gill Walk FAQs
How long is the walk from Clapham to Gaping Gill?
Our mapped route is about 9.6 km (6 miles) there and back, and most people will need roughly 3 to 4 hours with stops.
Is it a hard walk?
It is a moderate walk with a steady climb and some rough, stony ground. It is a good stretch for anyone used to hill paths.
Can you go inside Ingleborough Cave?
The show cave is open to visitors on set days, with an entry fee. Check the cave’s website before you go.
What is Gaping Gill?
A large pothole where Fell Beck drops into an underground chamber. It is one of the best-known cave systems in the Dales.
Useful next steps
Make a little more of the walk.
Keep the guide open for the plan. Use these live searches only for the parts you actually need.
Ad – affiliate links. If you book through these links, Days Out Now receives a commission at no extra cost to you.MAKE MORE OF YOUR DAY
Nearby places to visit, eat and stay
Nearby suggestions will load here.
MAKE MORE OF YOUR DAY
Explore more places on the map
Choose what you need, then use the map to compare locations and plan the rest of your day.
Leave a Reply