A long series of limestone Scars & Norbert Erratics

Summary

Twistleton Scar lies beneath the foothills of Ingleborough and Whernside. The valley pavement and scar were formed roughly 15,000 years ago when a glacier and ice cap retreated during the last ice age. As a result, the glacier tore off all the loose soils exposing the rock and over time the sides of the plateau eroded and collapsed creating the scar. Offering grand views of 2 of the Dales ‘Big 3’, which makes it a great place to explore and take in all of Yorkshire Dales’ hidden beauty.

The Hike

It’s always the hikes that you least expect that turn out to be the best. For such a short hike, I would happily return to the same area without getting bored. The walking is easy; the views are fantastic, and to make things even better, it is extremely quiet.

I began from Chapel le dale, a quiet hamlet just off the popular town of Ingleton. I followed a slow-rising road through a plantation of trees beside dry-stone walls that characterised the area. The sun was beaming over the fells and in the valley below lay Ribblehead Viaduct. An impressive structure that is known as England’s most scenic railway! It wasn’t long before I emerged onto a vast plateau of limestone pavement, filled with clints and grykes while rolling fells, roaming sheep, and a subtle, gentle breeze filled the air. What I like about places like these is that they spoil you for choice. In every direction you look, there is a superb view. It felt like true bliss roaming what felt like an untouched area of the dales, somewhere that seems rarely visited, and somewhere I was excited to discover and reconnect with.

Meanwhile, as I continued along a grassy track, I couldn’t help but notice dark clouds looming over Ingleborough to the left of me. It looked extremely dramatic. Then, in the distance, something caught my eye. I could see a faint boulder randomly placed on the limestone pavement. Quickly, I began running over to it, as I knew it would take a fantastic photograph. This was a Norbert erratic, moved by the ice age of 1000 years ago. It looked small from a distance, but once I arrived, it was huge!

Afterward, I made my way over to a large cairn for lunch. It was an ideal spot to shelter from the wind and admire the views of the limestone pavement and Ingleborough. I had it all to myself, too.

From the cairn, I continued along a narrow path beside the edge of the plateau. The narrow path curved its way back toward where I had started the hike. Although, this became quite close to the edge of the hillside, but provided superb views down into Chapel-le-Dale, Ingleborough, and of the extensive limestone scars.

A lovely ending to the hike, and one of those places I could easily come back to either extend or simply come to for some headspace.

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