My friend Liam and I were looking for adventure and decided to drive to Ingleton, located in the Yorkshire Dales, North Yorkshire.
As a child, I had visited Ingleton on numerous occasions. Once on a school trip, and on numerous family outings so it seemed a great place to relive some old nostalgia.
Doing the Ingleton Waterfalls Trail was one of my fondest childhood memories so I figured I’d do that route again. Another place I love for similar reasons is Bolton Abbey. If you haven’t been, add it to your list.
We parked in the centre of Ingleton and set off on our journey. The town itself is very charming. Quaint little cafés, bakeries, sweet and bric-a-brac shops weave between old cottages and churchyards. Allow yourself plenty of time beforehand to explore what the centre has to offer.
The trail is clearly signposted from the centre of town and takes only a two-minute walk to beginning the trail. The Ingleton Waterfalls Trail is approximately 4.3 miles (7 km) long. It’s easy enough that most people won’t have any problems completing the route.
Depending on what pace you’re going at, it usually takes a couple hours to complete. Sturdy footwear is highly recommended. If you’re an avid photographer or just love being in nature and want to go at a leisurely pace, then it could take longer.
The trail takes you through woodlands, along the River Twiss and the River Doe, and features several waterfalls. Six in total to be precise. The trail also includes includes paths, steps, and bridges.
The English Nature has also designated Ingelton Waterfalls Trail as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) due to the interesting plants and animals and the geological structures located in the area.
Short guide to the Ingleton Waterfalls Trail
Make a wish at the Money Tree
Along the trail we first stumbled across a fallen tree that was jam-packed with coins. I remembered this from my childhood and was glad to see it still existed.
Who says money doesn’t grow on trees?
It is seen as good luck to put a coin into the money tree. It is tradition for passers-by to hammer in a penny in the hope it will bring them good fortune. The act is reminiscent of a wishing well, which you toss in money for good luck.
We stopped and wondered how much money had been wedged into the tree over the years. There were thousands of coins, but mainly just pennies so we guessed it would racked up to hundreds of pounds. Certainly not worth returning in the middle of the night with the chainsaw.
Pecca Falls
It wasn’t long before before we spotted our first waterfall, Pecca Falls, and it didn’t disappoint. The route crosses a bridge right in front of the waterfall and presents some lovely views.
The sight and sound is impressive. From there, it goes beyond the top and then in front of the Pecca Twin Falls shortly after.
Thornton Force
Hollybush Spout sits just behind Pecca Falls, and then it’s a short walk to Thornton Force, the tallest waterfall. An impressive 14-metre waterfall on the River Twiss.
Liam had always fantasized about making love to a beautiful, buxom lady behind a waterfall. Unfortunately on this occasion, his fantasy wasn’t fulfilled.
After Thornton Force, a path lead us to Beezley Farm where we stopped for refreshments. We didn’t take a picnic, so we were happy to fuel up on snacks before continuing on to Beezley Falls. Only one more waterfall to go now: Snow Falls.
After the final waterfall, we crossed a rather narrow bridge and pottered back into the village.
Yep, the hike was just as fun as I had remembered!
How to get to the Ingleton Waterfalls Trail
The easiest way to get to the trail head is by car. There’s a big car park so you don’t have to worry about trying to find one.
If you’re not able to drive, you have the option to get a train to Bentham station located 4 miles away. There are some buses that run from Bentham Station to Ingleton, but they are not very frequent so in that case I’d hop in a taxi which should take you no more that 10-15 minutes.
If you’re thinking of getting a trail to Bentham, I recommend looking at dates and booking in advance via the Trainline.
Accommodation near Ingleton Falls
The Yorkshire Dales offers an abundance of walking trails and some of England’s finest scenery, so if you have the time, I’d definitely recommend stopping in the region for longer.
The Traddock is a small luxury country hotel situated in the quaint village of Austwick. The location is perfect with Ingleton Falls just a 10-minute drive away, and Malham Cove and White Scar Cave also situated close by.
Looking for more nearby adventures?
And the adventure doesn’t stop here, why not consider visiting the White Scar Cave, the UK’s longest show cave, located nearby?
2 responses
Looks like a wonderful place to spend a day. I presume the waters are often tamer and clearer but more water certainly makes very dramatic scene. The bark on that tree is amazing.
There are many beautiful places in North Yorkshire, and Ingleton is definitely one of them! Yes, presumably the stronger current carries more sediment, so probably not the best place to gather natural drinking-water hah!
It is tradition to insert a coin into the tree for good luck!