Walk: 11am to 2:30pm 4.7 miles - 631ft of ascent
Amazingly our 16 month run of dry walking continued again today - we couldn't believe our luck as within 20 minutes or so of us getting back to the car it started throwing it down......anyone want a couple of lucky charms? That said, it was however another relatively 'sticky' day so we were going to get a little damp regardless, but during much of the walk we were very thankful of the cover of trees as it was at least a little cooler under cover. I did at points during the walk wonder if I'm the first man to experience the menopause - I can't remember the last time that I'd perspired as much....too much information?
When we first started walking our maiden holiday was here in the Yorkshire Dales staying in this cottage, and one of our first walks (possibly THE first) was a walk along the Ingleton Waterfalls Trail. So today we decided to re-tread those footsteps (recent rains should make it worth it) along this well worn path. The forecast was for rain later (how true) so a steady relatively short walk would fit around the forecast.
It's only 10 miles up the A65 to Ingleton so almost on the doorstep, and as with the last time we came for this walk we parked in the car-park at the entrance to the trail. £5 each to park and venture along the trail, but nobody minds the cost as it all goes towards the upkeep of the area.
The first section of the walk is flat, but soon the path takes you up and down the sides of the ravine that border the river Twiss, enough to test your legs but not too strenuous. It's not a difficult trail but without the proper gear it's testing due to some sections of the path being slippy and rocky - if anyone thinks it's a jaunt around a country park it's a little more challenging to say the least.
After about 30 minutes or so you come to the first falls - Pecca Falls, and in my view the best. It's just a pity that it's only possible to photograph sections of the falls as it tumbles down the many levels of the descent, swirling around the rocks and the copper colour of the water looking like a well brewed mug of tea. As you carry on up the trail you pass Hollybush Spout and then out of the canopy and into the open spaces as you come to Thornton Force, a gushing single drop falls - looking splendid after the rain that the area has seen recently.
A little further on you cross the river Twiss as you head around the top of the walk before dropping down to Twistleton Farm. There used to be an ice-cream van that parked along this top section, but I'm guessing that as there are now two places for refreshments around the length of the walk the owner decided that it was no longer worth his while. That said, we did wonder if the green 'shack' that we had passed earlier on the walk was the owners new venture? We kept passing and getting passed by a local guy kitted out in National Trust shirt and hat who was out collecting all the litter - he was making sure the trail was looking it's best for tomorrow's visit by "the big boss"
We stopped for half an hour at the Falls Refreshment Centre (this wasn't here the last time we were here) and had drinks and a piece of carrot cake and chocolate caramel shortbread. Very nice and reasonably priced. Now the the last hour or so of the walk - this time following the river Doe as it cascades firstly through Beezley Falls, down Triple Spout, through Rival Falls and lastly Snow Falls before meandering it's way down to Ingleton.
Towards the end of the walk there are the remains of an industrial building, but no information signs telling you what it was - which is a little surprising. So if anyone reading this knows it's history, please post a comment. Before heading back down to the car-park we had a meander around Ingleton, but unfortunately it appeared to be a day when half of the shops were closed so not a great deal to see.
As we walked down the hill to the car-park surprisingly my new camera failed due to the battery running out of charge, which I must admit was a little surprising given that it was fully charged before we left this morning. I'd taken about 75 photos during the walk, and 5 or 6 videos so relatively light use, however a spare battery is clearly now on the list for purchasing.
After we got back to the cottage I jumped straight in the shower (soooooo good), and we quickly changed and took the short walk into Settle town centre so I could visit Castleberg Outdoors. It was now raining so coats and hoods were required, but technically not on a walk so upholding our 'dry walk' claim. I came out of the shop £60 lighter (ok £54 as there was a 10% discount) as I'd purchased a Paramo walking shirt. Donna did have a wry grin on her face as she'd said that I can never go on a walking holiday and not buy some new gear - how right she is...
More photos can be found here.
Amazingly our 16 month run of dry walking continued again today - we couldn't believe our luck as within 20 minutes or so of us getting back to the car it started throwing it down......anyone want a couple of lucky charms? That said, it was however another relatively 'sticky' day so we were going to get a little damp regardless, but during much of the walk we were very thankful of the cover of trees as it was at least a little cooler under cover. I did at points during the walk wonder if I'm the first man to experience the menopause - I can't remember the last time that I'd perspired as much....too much information?
When we first started walking our maiden holiday was here in the Yorkshire Dales staying in this cottage, and one of our first walks (possibly THE first) was a walk along the Ingleton Waterfalls Trail. So today we decided to re-tread those footsteps (recent rains should make it worth it) along this well worn path. The forecast was for rain later (how true) so a steady relatively short walk would fit around the forecast.
It's only 10 miles up the A65 to Ingleton so almost on the doorstep, and as with the last time we came for this walk we parked in the car-park at the entrance to the trail. £5 each to park and venture along the trail, but nobody minds the cost as it all goes towards the upkeep of the area.
 |
| Me 'falling' off a bridge above the river Twiss |
After about 30 minutes or so you come to the first falls - Pecca Falls, and in my view the best. It's just a pity that it's only possible to photograph sections of the falls as it tumbles down the many levels of the descent, swirling around the rocks and the copper colour of the water looking like a well brewed mug of tea. As you carry on up the trail you pass Hollybush Spout and then out of the canopy and into the open spaces as you come to Thornton Force, a gushing single drop falls - looking splendid after the rain that the area has seen recently.
 |
| Thornton Force making me feel small |
We stopped for half an hour at the Falls Refreshment Centre (this wasn't here the last time we were here) and had drinks and a piece of carrot cake and chocolate caramel shortbread. Very nice and reasonably priced. Now the the last hour or so of the walk - this time following the river Doe as it cascades firstly through Beezley Falls, down Triple Spout, through Rival Falls and lastly Snow Falls before meandering it's way down to Ingleton.
 |
| Part of Beezley falls if I'm correct? |
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| The ruined 'works' in the Meal Bank area just north of Ingleton |
As we walked down the hill to the car-park surprisingly my new camera failed due to the battery running out of charge, which I must admit was a little surprising given that it was fully charged before we left this morning. I'd taken about 75 photos during the walk, and 5 or 6 videos so relatively light use, however a spare battery is clearly now on the list for purchasing.
After we got back to the cottage I jumped straight in the shower (soooooo good), and we quickly changed and took the short walk into Settle town centre so I could visit Castleberg Outdoors. It was now raining so coats and hoods were required, but technically not on a walk so upholding our 'dry walk' claim. I came out of the shop £60 lighter (ok £54 as there was a 10% discount) as I'd purchased a Paramo walking shirt. Donna did have a wry grin on her face as she'd said that I can never go on a walking holiday and not buy some new gear - how right she is...
More photos can be found here.
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