Kingsdale Circuit

Paul Shorrock

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If you have never walked in Kingsdale (and few do), this route will remedy that and will show you the best that Kingsdale has to offer. The route takes you high above Kingsdale onto the Turbary Track, an ancient way formerly used by commoners with turf-cutting rights. The walk makes a fine exploration of Kingsdale in its own right and the times and distances are based on this, but see below for a longer walk.

After leaving the start, the route climbs steadily up to the Turbary Track (Turbary Road on the map, but definitely a track). The track stays high above Kingsdale, traversing the side of Gragareth, with great views towards Ingleborough. Several potholes that would be well-known to cavers are passed (Simpson's Pot, Swinsto Cave) but the most obvious feature for the non-caver is Rowten Pot at Waymark 4.

Time for a word of caution: Rowten Pot is large and impressive - it is also unfenced and 365 feet deep! Great care should be taken if tempted to have a closer look. It's a pleasant place to sit and contemplate the important things in life, such as exploring the contents of the day's sandwiches.

The route continues along the Turbary Track before dropping down to Yordas Cave – a diversion can be made to visit this, but be considerate to the local farmer and use the gates and paths. The cave has a large chamber with a waterfall at the far end. It's safe to go in, but a torch will be needed and great care should be exercised; the cave floor can be very slippery. The cave was once a show cave. Before that it was the home of the giant Yordas, who was well-known for eating small boys. Caving can be a risky business.

After Yordas, the route crosses the valley bottom before heading to Braida Garth Farm. After that the path rises slightly to give a good view across the dale to our outbound route on the Turbary. After meeting the highest part of the Ingleton Waterfall walk, the route continues easily back to the start point.

The longer alternative grafts my walk onto Jim Grindle's 'Ingleton Waterfalls' walk (1565). After the outward leg of the waterfalls route, Jim explores Kingsdale via the road as far as Braida Garth before returning via the bottom of Twistleton Scar End. My route could be used as an alternative extension to Jim's walk – follow his route to his Waymark 6, which is the start of my route. My route then rejoins Jim's at Braida Garth Farm, so to follow Jim's route back to Ingleton, leave my route at Waymark 13 (between Waymarks 14 and 15 on Jim's route). The total distance, height gain and time for this variation would be in the order of 16.5kms, 570 metres and 330 minutes.

England - North England - Yorkshire - Yorkshire Dales

Features

Cafe, Church, Food Shop, Gift Shop, Good for Kids, Great Views, Hills or Fells, Pub, Restaurant, River, Tea Shop, Toilets, Wildlife, Woodland

12/1/2022 - mark archer

Terrific walk, but best done on a dry day. The first half from North End Scar to Yordas Cave is easy underfoot, however the final section from Braida Garth Farm is rather boggy and tussocky, with some slippery ladder stiles to get over. I imagine this part would be quite gruelling in the rain. The cave is well worth a visit and it's easy to get about with a headtorch, just watch your footing, but you could take your grandmother down there if she was adventurous!

11/22/2018 - victoria fox

We completed this walk today 22nd November 2018, in very low cloud. A nice walk and very easy to follow, WM 5 has now got a new & very steep stile because of this and many other tricky stiles I would say it wasnt dog friendly, unless you are able to carry your dog up & over the stiles. Even if your dog can get to the top on there own it would a rather huge jump down for them. We did come across a rather yappy little terrier at the farm that followed us over two fields. Don't forget your torch, a visit to the cave is a must & also a great spot for a picnic.

10/12/2016 - Robert Hughes

This is a great walk with excellent views throughout. Apart from the initial ascent it is mostly easy walking. I completed it after a period of dry weather which helped as the ground clearly gets very soft after rain - added to which the cattle grazing on the east side of the valley have muddied some of the paths further. The instructions were clear to follow though the following might help future walkers. Just before and at WM5 the gates were barred or tied and had to be climbed over. Between WM5 and WM6 the path is indistinct - probably best to keep a short distance to the right of the wall to avoid some boggy parts. At WM8 the route through the farm is well marked. WM11 The 'fainter' path is now much more distinct.

10/1/2010 - Paul Shorrock

First of all, thanks to Philip for taking the time and trouble to add a comment. Constructive feedback like this is a great tool for contributors, helping us to keep in touch with the readers. Grading is a knotty problem. We try to be objective, but sometimes we grade on what we think you will think! Not always easy. In this instance, I think it’s a case of the customer being right, and I’m happy to have the walk re-graded to moderate. Paul Shorrock

9/28/2010 - Philip Scott

Just finished this walk, navigation was easy and the scenery lovely, however, it is graded as an easy walk and I would say that is not accurate at all, the start of the walk involves a steep climb some of which is over rocks and limestone pavement the latter part of the walk also involves some height gain over undulating and uneven ground I would say a moderate rating would be more accurate.