15th October 2023 - Ingleborough
Walk Details
Distance walked: 10.0 miles
Total ascent: 1987 ft
OS map used: OL2 - Yorkshire Dales, Southern & Western areas
Time taken: 6 hrs
Route description: Ribblehead-Gunnerfleet Farm-Philpin Lane-Low Sleights Road-Southerscales Scars-Humphrey Bottom-Ingleborough-Simon Fell-Park Fell-Colt Park-Gauber Road-Ribblehead
I was surprised that I managed to make it to this late in the year to do a walk up Ingleborough, but I was never going to get through the whole year given how much I enjoy reaching it's summit, especially when I can take in the view from it on an autumn day like I had today. The route that I went for was one that I'd done before just the once, nearly six years ago in November 2017, starting from Ribblehead to make the ascent via Humphrey Bottom, and then making way back across Simon Fell and Park Fell, and along Gauber Road to Ribblehead. It's one that keeps you up on the moors for as long as is possible, which is my favourite sort. It was lovely autumn day for being on the moors. Lots of blue skies, sunshine, and excellent visibility for taking in the views, though with a cold wind to remind me of what season it is.
From the parking area at Ribblehead I set off by taking the path beneath the Ribblehead Viaduct to Gunnerfleet Farm. I then turned left and took its access road (a byway) to the public road, where I turned left again and briefly followed it south before taking a bridleway on the right that crosses Winterscales Beck to reach Philpin Lane. I then walked south along Philpin Lane to Low Sleights Lane where I turned left and walked past The Old Hill Inn to pick up the Three Peaks path across Southerscales Scars to Humphrey Bottom. A climb of the steep path from here brought me to the summit of Ingleborough. After lunch at the cross shelter I retraced my steps and left the summit at its eastern end and followed a path to the top of Simon Fell. I then did a there and back to the Lord's Seat cairn at the eastern end of the fell for the view across Ribblesdale from it before heading for Park Fell, keeping to the western side of the wall. A gate at the northern end of the fell let me access the trig point. A steep descent down the northern end of the fell brought me to Colt Park, where its access road was followed out to Gauber Road. I was then left with a walk along this road back to Ribblehead.
Total ascent: 1987 ft
OS map used: OL2 - Yorkshire Dales, Southern & Western areas
Time taken: 6 hrs
Route description: Ribblehead-Gunnerfleet Farm-Philpin Lane-Low Sleights Road-Southerscales Scars-Humphrey Bottom-Ingleborough-Simon Fell-Park Fell-Colt Park-Gauber Road-Ribblehead
I was surprised that I managed to make it to this late in the year to do a walk up Ingleborough, but I was never going to get through the whole year given how much I enjoy reaching it's summit, especially when I can take in the view from it on an autumn day like I had today. The route that I went for was one that I'd done before just the once, nearly six years ago in November 2017, starting from Ribblehead to make the ascent via Humphrey Bottom, and then making way back across Simon Fell and Park Fell, and along Gauber Road to Ribblehead. It's one that keeps you up on the moors for as long as is possible, which is my favourite sort. It was lovely autumn day for being on the moors. Lots of blue skies, sunshine, and excellent visibility for taking in the views, though with a cold wind to remind me of what season it is.
From the parking area at Ribblehead I set off by taking the path beneath the Ribblehead Viaduct to Gunnerfleet Farm. I then turned left and took its access road (a byway) to the public road, where I turned left again and briefly followed it south before taking a bridleway on the right that crosses Winterscales Beck to reach Philpin Lane. I then walked south along Philpin Lane to Low Sleights Lane where I turned left and walked past The Old Hill Inn to pick up the Three Peaks path across Southerscales Scars to Humphrey Bottom. A climb of the steep path from here brought me to the summit of Ingleborough. After lunch at the cross shelter I retraced my steps and left the summit at its eastern end and followed a path to the top of Simon Fell. I then did a there and back to the Lord's Seat cairn at the eastern end of the fell for the view across Ribblesdale from it before heading for Park Fell, keeping to the western side of the wall. A gate at the northern end of the fell let me access the trig point. A steep descent down the northern end of the fell brought me to Colt Park, where its access road was followed out to Gauber Road. I was then left with a walk along this road back to Ribblehead.
Route map
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Heading for the Ribblehead Viaduct as I set off
Park Fell, Simon Fell and Ingleborough
Following the bridleway through Gunnerfleet Farm
At Gunnerfleet Farm I turn left and take the byway by Winterscales Beck
Looking back to the Ribblehead Viaduct
I follow the road south towards Ingleborough..
..and then take a bridleway on the right across Winterscales Beck to Philpin Lane
The Old Hill Inn
After crossing Low Sleights Road I take the footpath south across Philpin Sleights to Southerscales Scars
Looking across Chapel-le-Dale to Twisleton Scars
Whernside from Southerscales Scars
and Ingleborough from Southerscales Scars
Crossing the boardwalks to Humphrey Bottom
Views back to Whernside and Ribblehead as I climb the path up from Humphrey Bottom..
Climbing the path to the eastern end of the summit plateau
Before heading to the cross shelter to have my lunch I'll walk round the plateau and take in the view. Starting with looking northwest across Chapel-le-Dale to Great Coum, the Howgills, and Whernside.
Looking across Humphrey Bottom to Simon Fell
and west across Twisleton Scar End and Tow Scar to Morecambe Bay and the Lake District fells in the distance
Whernside, Ribblehead, Blea Moor, Great Knoutberry Hill and Dodd Fell Hill to the north
Twisleton Scars, Chapel-le-Dale, and Whernside
Ingleton, Lunesdale and Morecambe Bay to the west
Looking south to Pendle Hill
The fells of the Forest of Bowland to the southwest
Penyghent, Fountains Fell and the hills around Settle on the other side of Ribblesdale
Pendle Hill in the distance from the top of the path to Little Ingleborough
After a break for lunch, at the trig point on Ingleborough
Back at the eastern end of the plateau, and I make my descent and head for Simon Fell..
There's a great view of Ingleborough as I look back while following the path up onto Simon Fell..
Great Coum, Whernside, and Great Knoutberry Hill from the top of Simon Fell
Ingleborough on the left, and Gragareth on the right
Cam Fell on the other side of Ribblesdale ahead as I leave the top of Simon Fell. I'm going to cross the wall on the right and make my way to the Lord's Seat cairn.
Penyghent from the cairn on Lord's Seat, on the eastern side of Simon Fell above Ribblesdale
Looking south down Ribblesdale to Pendle Hill
On my way back from the Lord's Seat cairn, and I couldn't resist stopping to take a photo of Whernside from this patch of limestone pavement
Following the wall north towards Park Fell
Ingleborough as I join the path along the edge of the moor
Looking across Chapel-le-Dale to Whernside and Ribblehead..
..and to Twisleton Scars
Heading north along the edge of the moor
Whernside, Ribblehead, and Blea Moor, from Black Rock at the northern end of Simon Fell
Looking back to Simon Fell and Ingleborough
Crossing the top of Park Fell. The trig point is on the other side of that wall.
At the trig point on Park Fell. Looking down Ribblesdale to Pendle Hill in the distance.
and across Ribblesdale to Penyghent
I make the steep descent down the northern end of Park Fell
From Colt Park I follow the track out to Gauber Road
A view of Whernside to my left
Crossing the Settle to Carlisle line..
Cam Fell from Gauber Road
Back at Ribblehead to take in the view of the Ribblehead Viaduct and Whernside