Ingleborough via Park Fell

Paul Shorrock

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This route is described on the assumption that you are travelling by car, but an approach from Ribblehead Railway Station adds just over 1km each way.

A short road-walk heads to the climb of Park Fell. It's steep, but doesn't last too long and you are rewarded by good views of Pen-y-Ghent, Whernside and the Ribblehead Viaduct. A steadier height gain then brings you to a terrace with dramatic views of Ingleborough.

At the end of the terrace, a short climb leads to the summit, with a fine cross-shaped wind shelter that is almost always occupied! The short ascent route is reversed, followed by a steep descent down a well-made set of steps. The boggy moor is crossed dry-shod, thanks to a stone slab path.

Easier, grassier walking heads towards The Hill Inn (not on the route, but a diversion of total distance around 1.5km can be made). Our route then goes by Great Douk Cave before meandering round Fell Close above Gauber High Pasture. The route heads back to Colt Park before retracing the outward route.

Refreshments are near at hand at Ribblehead (excellent pub or bacon butty van in season) and the Hill Inn (another excellent pub}. A short drive will take you to Ingleton, Horton in Ribblesdale or (slightly longer) Hawes, depending on your destination. If you are travelling by train you are restricted to the Ribblehead option, but none the worse for that.

England - North England - Yorkshire - Yorkshire Dales

Features

Great Views, Hills or Fells, Moor, Mountains, Nature Trail, Pub, Public Transport, Restaurant, Tea Shop, Toilets, Wildlife

11/8/2016 - Robert Hughes

This is a truly excellent walk. Although there is some steep ascent and descent the going is good. The all around views are stunning and you really get a feel for the area. The directions are easy to follow though I did go astray between WM4 and WM6. This was due to what is probably a new step stile over a fence at the wall junction just prior to the summit of Park Fell. I took this to be WM5 and together with the mistaken belief that the route took in this trig point I ended up on the wrong side of the wall. No matter - this took me on an interesting extension to Simon Fell, Lords Seat and the cairn just beyond that gave a fresh set of excellent views. To keep on the described route turn right at the wall junction and keep the wall on your left. Other than this the only changes are that there are now more pedestrian gates and less stiles on the rest of the route. It's also worth noting that much of this route is waymarked by Natural England (blue circles) as the Ridge route - details of which can found in their publication 'Ingleborough Natural Nature Reserve - self guided walks' which can be found online.