Walking the Ingleton Waterfalls Trail

Spectacular waterfalls. Lush fairy-tale wooded glens. Open countryside with views of Yorkshire’s famous peaks. There is so much to love about Ingleton Waterfalls Trail and despite the morning drizzle it was a perfect way to blow away the cobwebs on a January morning.

We visited Ingleton as part of our post-New Year minibreak in the Yorkshire Dales, staying at the wonderfully cosy Dales Cottage in Hawes.

Ingleton Waterfalls Trail: The Important Details

The waterfalls trail begins and ends in the village of Ingleton. There’s ample free parking on site, with a café and toilets at the entrance to the car park. The ticket office and trail entrance is at the far end of the car park. Bear in mind that on the return leg of the trail you’ll be coming back through the car park entrance – so you might want to park at this end!

At time of writing, admission is £8 per adult and £4 for children under 16. The fees go to the upkeep of the trail and the facilities, and I’d definitely say it’s worth the cost. Card payments are accepted and encouraged where possible.

It’s a circular trail of 4.3 miles (7km) and is currently operating under a one-way system – which means that once you’ve started, there’s no going back! You’ll definitely want a good couple of hours there; during the winter months the last entry is 2:30pm

Visiting in the first week of January meant that there were no crowds. In fact, we encountered very few people on the trail, and those we did were mainly congregated at Thornton Force, the third and biggest of the six waterfalls. It was a pleasure having the trail virtually to ourselves, and I’d definitely recommend a visit out of season. I can imagine it’s not quite such a pleasure on a summer weekend or school holiday. Of course, a winter visit does mean that you’re at the mercy of the English weather. Keep an eye on the Ingleton Waterfalls Trail social media for details of any closures or restrictions that may be in place due to weather conditions.

https://www.ingletonwaterfallstrail.co.uk/

https://www.facebook.com/IngletonWaterfallsTrail/

Walking the Ingleton Waterfalls Trail

Armed with bottles of water and a ham cob each for lunch, we set off in search of our first waterfall. The clearly marked and well-maintained dirt trail takes us alongside the River Twiss, gushing with melted snowfall of the past couple of days. It’s a big boggy in places, thanks to the recent downpour.

Pecca Falls, Holly Bush Spout and Thornton Force

We soon reach the first waterfall, Pecca Falls, a series of falls dropping over 30m into a deep pool below. This is quickly followed by Holly Bush Spout – in fact, blink and you’ll probably miss it as it follows almost directly behind Pecca Twin Falls.

The trail climbs out of the tree cover, onto an exposed moor. In warmer months, there is a coffee truck – I could have murdered a hot drink at that point – but it was sadly closed up for winter. We lose sight of the river for a while, and then we get our first glimpse of Thornton Force. The uppermost fall on the River Twiss is billed as “the big one”. And it is indeed an impressive sight as water cascades over 14 metres of limestone in a natural rocky amphitheatre. It’s the perfect place to break open that ham cob. There are worse places to eat lunch.

• 

• 

• 

Appetite sated, we continue ascending, onto the moors of Raven Ray and Kingsdale. There are beautiful views all around, with thin silver streams sparkling in the sunlight, trickling down the surrounding peaks. At Beezley Farm there are toilet facilities and a picnic area.

Beezley Falls, Rival Falls and Baxenghyll Gorge

After all this wide open space and sprawling landscape, it’s time to enter the woods again for the return leg. The trail takes us alongside the River Doe this time. An ominous sign warns us that the path may be flooded, and if so, we will need to return and take the higher path. We decide to risk it. There’s a moment of indecision when the fast-flowing river does indeed stream over the path in front of us but other than getting a pair of decidedly damp feet it’s no barrier to our progress.

The second part of the loop takes us past the pretty Beezley Falls (probably my favourite of the waterfalls), and Rival Falls. A viewing platform straddles Baxenghyll Gorge for a dizzying look at the thunderous cascade below. Make sure you glimpse back at Snow Falls too after Baxenghyll – it’s behind you as you follow the path so you might not spot these final falls unless you know they’re there.

• 

• 

• 

The trail finishes just before the picture-postcard town of Ingleton, with pubs, tea rooms, gift shops and independent boutiques. Sadly, out-of-season as we were, a lot of businesses were closed. I looked longingly at The Old Post Office microbrewery before heading back to the car.

Ingleton Waterfalls Trail: Final Thoughts

It’s not an “easy” walk, but at the same time, with the right footwear and a moderate amount of fitness the trail can be completed by most. The trail is quite steep and narrow at times, with tree roots and rocks to pick your way over carefully. There are a few steps to get the thighs burning, and a strenuous ascent as you climb beyond Thornton Force which will get the heart racing. Sadly it’s not accessible for pushchairs or wheelchair users.

I loved our walk around Ingleton Waterfalls Trail – even if I did end up having to abandon yet another pair of walking boots that turned out to be not quite as waterproof as expected. There are spectacular views of dramatic falls, and the sheer force of the water makes you realise the true power of nature.

Want to read more about waterfalls on our travels? How about Plitvice, and Krka, both in Croatia? Or the falls along the stunning Icefields Parkway in the Canadian Rockies? How about closer to home, back in Wales, that time I jumped over a waterfall that was rudely blocking my path? Or the Four Waterfalls Trail in the Brecon Beacons?

Thinking about visiting the Ingleton Waterfalls Trail? Pin for later!