Clapham via Gaping Gill up Ingleborough: route map, distance and time
723 m · Yorkshire Dales
Ingleborough is the flat-topped Yorkshire Dales mountain above Ingleton and Clapham, one of the Yorkshire Three Peaks, with limestone pavements and Gaping Gill on its flanks.
A track climbs through the estate woods past Ingleborough Cave and Trow Gill to Gaping Gill, then a path rises to the summit plateau.
Clapham via Gaping Gill at a glance
| Distance | 8.1 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 570 m |
| Time up | 2h 35m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 4h 10m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Clapham village car park |
| Start grid reference | SD 744 691 |
| Summit grid reference | SD 741 745 |
Clapham via Gaping Gill map
The start (green) and the summit (blue). Peakify has no GPX track for this route yet, so follow the description and your map.
Height profile and getting to the start
Near the start
- New Inn0.0 km
- Croft Cafe0.1 km
- Lakehouse Food & Drink0.1 km
- Tea room0.3 km
- Public toilets0.1 km
- Abbey Farm1.8 km
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
How long Clapham via Gaping Gill takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 2h 5m | 3h 30m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 35m | 4h 10m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 3h 10m | 5h 10m |
Times leave out stops. Coming down the same way, the table counts the ascent once; steep descents on rough ground can be as slow as the climb.
- Today: sunrise 07:43, sunset 18:05. Start by 12:55 to be down before dark, allowing 4h 10m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:45, sunset 18:03. Start by 12:53 to be down before dark, allowing 4h 10m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Ingleborough summit weather for this route
-
Marginal Today Sunday 18 October
Overcast, up to 7°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -3°C, summit wind 26 mph gusting 32 mph, 0% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:43, sunset 18:05.
-
Marginal Tomorrow Monday 19 October
Slight rain, up to 8°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -2°C, summit wind 39 mph gusting 48 mph, 39% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:45, sunset 18:03.
Best day of the next seven for Clapham via Gaping Gill: Sunday 18 October, with summit gusts around 32 mph and a 0% chance of rain.
Hour-by-hour Ingleborough forecast · 14-day forecast · Is it safe to climb Ingleborough?
Before you go, also check: MWIS Yorkshire Dales and North Pennines forecast · Met Office mountain forecast.
What to take today
- An insulated jacket, hat and warm gloves: it feels like -3°C on top.
- A waterproof jacket. It can rain on the tops in any forecast.
- A windproof layer, and poles for balance in gusts to 32 mph.
- Map and compass, and the skills to use them. A phone is a backup, not a plan.
- A head torch, food, water, a charged phone and a small first aid kit.
About Ingleborough
Ingleborough is the flat-topped Yorkshire Dales mountain above Ingleton and Clapham, one of the Yorkshire Three Peaks, with limestone pavements and Gaping Gill on its flanks. More about Ingleborough, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Hewitt, Nuttall, Marilyn.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Simon Fell (649 m), 1.5 km north-east
Challenges that include Ingleborough
Other routes up Ingleborough
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ingleton via Crina Bottom | 5.9 km one way | 593 m | 2h 10m | Moderate |
| Chapel-le-Dale | 6.5 km one way | 515 m | 2h 10m | Moderate |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at SD 744 691, the summit at SD 741 745), what happened and how many are in your group. If you have no signal for a call, a text to 999 works once you have registered your phone with emergencySMS: text "register" to 999 before you go.
Clapham via Gaping Gill: questions and answers
How far is Clapham via Gaping Gill?
Clapham via Gaping Gill is 8.1 km one way to the summit of Ingleborough, with 570 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 16.2 km.
How long does Clapham via Gaping Gill take?
About 2h 35m to the summit of Ingleborough and 4h 10m there and back by Naismith's rule (5 km/h plus 10 minutes per 100 m of ascent), before stops. A relaxed group takes nearer 5h 10m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Clapham via Gaping Gill?
Clapham via Gaping Gill starts from Clapham village car park. The grid reference is SD 744 691.
Is Clapham via Gaping Gill suitable for beginners?
Yes, for fit walkers on a clear day. Peakify grades it Moderate: a long climb on a made path, but the top is high, exposed and colder than the start. Turn back if the cloud comes down and you can't navigate.
What time should I start Clapham via Gaping Gill today?
By 12:55 at the latest. Sunset on Ingleborough today is 18:05, Clapham via Gaping Gill takes about 4h 10m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Clapham via Gaping Gill?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).