Ingleborough Caves and Ingleton Waterfall Trail

A quick phone calls to Ingleborough Cave and nearby White Scar Caves determined that dogs WERE allowed At Ingleborough Caves (free), so they got our money x 4 adults and not nearby White Scar caves, which do not allow dogs. Bad move White Scar Caves owners!

The following information is courtesy of Ingleborough Cave website: "To reach the cave from the car park follow the signed route on foot past the church and an impressive view of a waterfall, to reach the old sawmill building and the entrance to the Ingleborough Cave Estate Nature Trail. A small charge is made for the trail, and leaflets are available at the start to help you to interpret the many features to be seen along the route.This is a popular 2 km walk for people of all ages, passing the lake, and up through the wooded valley to the open dale and the imposing entrance to the cave. You should allow a minimum of half an hour for the walk.

Until 1837 the secrets of Ingleborough Cave were hidden behind large natural calcite dams behind which water had ponded, submerging much of the passage beyond. These were broken down following a flood, to reveal a wonderland of sculpted passages and beautiful cave formations which have been delighting our visitors ever since. The Cave was once the outflow for the streams that flow through the world-famous 17 km Gaping Gill cave system, but it has long been abandoned by the main stream, allowing it to be explored safely by visitors.

A well-laid concrete path allows you to traverse comfortably for over half a kilometre into the mountain, and discrete lighting displays the calcite flows, the stalactites and stalagmites at their best. This really is one of the country's natural wonders. An expert guide will help you to interpret the features, enhancing your experience. At the end of the path, the cave will be seen disappearing into the distance. Even after all this time, explorations in the far extremities of the system continue to unravel the secrets of this hidden world"

Ingleborough's Waterfall trail is quite demanding, with many steps both up and down, but it is beautiful and really is well worth the effort. It took us about 4 hours to complete, taking it at a steady pace. You have to pay a fee of 60p each just to walk up the trail to the paybooth, and then it is £4.00 per adult for the trail itself. The following information is courtesy of http://www.skiptonweb.co.uk/:

"Ingleton Waterfalls Walk: Famous for it's spectacular scenery, the Ingleton Waterfalls Walk takes a circular route from the Dales village of Ingleton up alongside the River Doe, past several small falls to the main falls, Thornton Force, then across over the tops and back down another valley alongside the River Greta. Great scenery, a well tended path and ice cream along the way.

Take the A65 from Skipton, west towards Kirkby Lonsdale. Turn right off the A65 into the village and follow the signs for the Waterfall walk, which take you to the village centre. Over the bridge and turn right into the car park. Opening Times:The trail is open seven days a week, all year round, 9.00am until dusk. If you require further information on opening times please ring the pay kiosk at the entrance to the trail on 015242 41930".

On the subject of dogs, we found the village of Kirkby Longdale, a few miles away, to be extremely dog friendly, including in a couple of the delightful cafes. Again, these enlightened businesses got our money!