Deep Caves, Waterfalls And Vistas In The Yorkshire Dales (nr. Settle)

[Yeti]

Today was a fabulously clear day so it was perfect for a trip out with my brother to Langcliffe, near Settle, at the foot of Ribblesdale. The walk climbs up to smaller, higher valleys and plateaus that offer amazing views over to the Three Peaks (Ingleborough, Whernside, Pen-y-Ghent) and today the Lake District was clearly visible; capped with snow the Cumbrian Mountains looked like viewing the Alps from the distance! Sadly though this didn't come out on the photos.

The most interesting feature of this walk is the fantastic limestone scenery that gives even Malham a run for its money. Massive scars tower over the footpaths and within these scars are Victoria Cave (discovered in 1837 with many prehistoric bones), Jubilee Cave, Bat Cave and best of all, Attermire Cave, which can be penetrated for a great distance.

Anyway here are some photos; I'll waffle on as I post them!

The walk begins in Langcliffe, just to the N of Settle and the A65, the footpath winding its way through sublime views of Ribblesdale; on no.2 Ingleborough is in the distance;

A mother protects her tiny lamb:

At this point the walk climbs, leaving spectacular views of Pen-y-Ghent (694m);

A detour takes us to Catrigg Foss, a huge gorge and waterfall crashing down next to the footpath. Many Dales waterfalls are called "foss", derived from Old Norse (I think!);

Back on the path and another fine vista of Pen-y-Ghent, left, and Plover Hill;

Another mile and we reach Jubilee Cave, slightly less interesting than the other two we entered but still with an imposing entrance;

The typical scarred landscape and a view down the Dale;

Victoria Cave comes up next. Its entrance is huge, and there are signs all over the place saying DANGER etc. but we entered anyway. There are several passages leading off from the cavern at the entrance but none can be entered for more than 30m unless you are a rabbit - something of an anticlimax. But it's the most famous cave, being host to ancient Rhino and Hippo bones from 100,000 years ago. John Holmes lives there to this day

A rather blurry picture of my brother in one of the side passages:

By far the most interesting cave, however, is Attermire Cave which is found higher up on the scar and is both more difficult to reach and harder to find. Once found though, it's quite spectacular. Here is the entrance:

After about 50m, the ceiling drops considerably and there is about 5m of on-your-tummy crawling. Then it opens out again but it's still fairly hard-going. After about another 100m a chamber is reached with a pool!!!! All along here are organ pipe type structures that are stunning to see outside of a show cave. Here is a dodgy pic of the organ pipes:

And then amazingly, what should we chance upon but a caveman!!!

If you look beyond me, and please do, you might just be able to make out the organ pipes again in the background.

After the chamber with the pool there is much, much more to explore, and the cave eventually ends up with a 20m high ceiling and about 1m wide - as I say, it's amazing if you like an adventure! It goes on for a long, long way - far longer than we had time to explore - I would love to have a good 2 hours there to get as far as possible.

Heading back gives more fine views over Ribblesdale and more dramatic scarring;

Thanks a lot for reading, I hope you like the pics from a place I love

[stormchaser1]

Wow

Fantastic photos you have there Yeti. wonderful scenery,

Thanks for sharing

nigel

Wow

Fantastic photos you have there Yeti. wonderful scenery,

Thanks for sharing

nigel

[Snowaddict]

Those are absolutely stunning pictures Yeti, simply fantasitc

You captured the surrounding landscape really really well, with a fantastic weather backdrop.

It's great to see nature at work - the mother protecting her lamb, amongst fantastic scenery.

The pictures from inside the caves are great also, I can imagine it must have been a bit tedious taking some of them.

The photos taken over Ribblesdale are also fantastic and show up the scarred landscape very well.

You have put a lot of time into all of those and thanks a million for sharing the photos from what is certainly a beautiful stetch of countryside.

Best Regards,

Mark.

Edited March 29, 2009 by Snowaddict

[Koppite]

Super pics of some of Britain's finest countryside Yeti, thanks for sharing.

[Andy Bown]

Thanks for sharing your day out, it looks wonderful both weatherwise and scenery-wise . I do have a question though...

... Was the ewe protecting her lamb from a yeti?

[Essan]

Your route was almost the exact opposite of the one and only walk I've ever done in the Dales - went from Settle up to Attermire Scar, visited Victoria and Jubilee caves (but not Attermire cave) and then ended up camping overnight just below Catrigg Force, walking back to Settle next day. Long time ago mind! And the weather as I recall was rather grey and misty so didn't get such good views! Thks for bringing back some memories and showing me what I missed! :lol:

Edited March 30, 2009 by Essan

[johnholmes]

yes some lovely shots there apart from the 'beings' you came across!

[Yeti]

Your route was almost the exact opposite of the one and only walk I've ever done in the Dales - went from Settle up to Attermire Scar, visited Victoria and Jubilee caves (but not Attermire cave) and then ended up camping overnight just below Catrigg Force, walking back to Settle next day. Long time ago mind! And the weather as I recall was rather grey and misty so didn't get such good views! Thks for bringing back some memories and showing me what I missed! :lol:

Certainly one of the best walks in the Dales imo, beating Malham on sheer remoteness... It's a shame you missed Attermire cave though, it's absolutely spectacular and by far the best of all of them

[Sandy Cheevie]

Magnificent set of photos.

I just love the light and shadows on these two