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Gragareth & Great Coum from Yordas Cave

Yorkshire Dales Walk

Nat Park - Yorkshire Dales - Three Peaks Country

County/Area - North Yorkshire & Lancashire

Author - Lou Johnson

Length - 9.0 miles / 14.6 km    Ascent - 1685 feet / 511 metres

Time - 6 hours 10 minutes    Grade - moderate

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Walk Route Description

Photo from the walk - Gragareth & Great Coum from Yordas Cave
Click image to visit gallery of 5 images.

Although this Yorkshire Dales walk stays almost completely within or on the boundaries of the National Park, it feels more like the Pennines than the Dales. The start is close to Yordas Cave (grid ref. SD706790) on the gated road running the length of Kingsdale from Ingleton into Deepdale and on to Dent. The drive along Kingsdale is a good introduction to this area with the stepped outline of Ingleborough dominating the lower reaches, replaced by the more mundane shape of Whernside as you travel up the dale. In addition there are good views of the extensive limestone pavements in the area. Note that despite stiles, sections of this walk are not on rights of way and landowners' permission should be obtained.

After parking your car at the side of the lane, enter the gate that leads into the field containing the entrance to Yordas Cave. Apparently a visit to the cave is worthwhile although a large torch is needed to fully appreciate the size of the underground cavern. Follow the path on the northern side of a small dry gorge until you are clear of the trees. Here Yordas Gill disappears underground and you need to cross to the southern side of the gill.

There is a faint path (no right of way) heading north-west towards the sheepfold (grid ref. 696793). The path loosely follows the wall. From the sheepfold follow the wall up the steep gritstone escarpment and onto the ridge. Clamber over the ladder stile and head south west to the summit of Gragareth. From here there are wide ranging views across Lancashire to the sea, the Forest of Bowland, Ingleborough and Whernside. Return to the ladder stile. Head north along the western side of the wall, which forms the Lancashire/North Yorkshire county boundary. The clear path is easy going, although after rain expect it to be wet in places. It is an excellent ridge walk with good views on both sides. Before reaching the summit of Green Hill, you reach the point where Cumbria takes over as the county on the eastern side of the wall.

The final climb up the summit of Great Coum is easy and you are rewarded with a fine all-round panorama. In good visibility you can see the Lakeland Fells, the Howgills, a large portion of the fells forming the northern sector of the Yorkshire Dales plus Whernside the highest of the Yorkshire Peaks. To the south you can see along the ridge back to Gragareth and beyond. The easiest way off Great Coum is to follow the wall east. This descends to the Occupation Road, a green lane contouring around the hillside. On reaching the "Ocky" follow it south and then east to join the gated road climbing up Deepdale from Dent. This road leads easily back to your car. Although I prefer not to walk on tarmac this is a pleasant walk. Traffic is light and the surrounding scenery is interesting.

To extend the walk you could climb Whernside. A path leaves the gated lane (grid ref. 722818) and climbs straight to the summit. This adds around 1000 feet (300 metres) of ascent and a minimum of 2 miles (3 km) to the walk. For those with plenty of energy the best return from Whernside is down the south ridge eventually dropping down into Kingsdale using the limited footpaths and rights of way.

Other walks nearby

Walk 1208 Ingleborough & Park Fellmoderate7.5 miles
Walk 3500 Ingleborough (northern approach)moderate9.5 miles
Walk 1184 Whernside & Scales Moor from Ribbleheadmoderate11.0 miles
Walk 3340 Blea Moor & Denthead from Ribbleheadmoderate8.2 miles
Walk 3091 Ingleton Waterfalls Walkeasy4.3 miles
Walk 3584 Gragareth from Irebymoderate7.4 miles
Walk 2376 Gragareth from Leckmoderate9.3 miles
Walk 2146 Deepdale Circular (near Dent)moderate7.0 miles
Walk 1052 Whernside & Dentdalemod/hard12.0 miles
Walk 3233 Dent & Gawthropeasy/mod6.0 miles

Recommended Books & eBooks

Walking in the Yorkshire Dales: South and West

Walking in the Yorkshire Dales: South and WestPart of a two-book set, this guidebook describes 44 walks in the southern and western Yorkshire Dales, including the famous 23 mile Three Peaks circuit over Pen-y-Ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough. The other, mostly circular routes of 3½ to 13 miles cover the scenic region between Sedbergh, Kirkby Lonsdale, Settle, Skipton and Grassington.
More information

Walking in the Yorkshire Dales: North and East

Walking in the Yorkshire Dales: North and EastThis guidebook contains 43 circular day walks in the north and east Yorkshire Dales. It explores the dales, hills and moors between Kirkby Stephen and Pateley Bridge. Walking ranges from gentle 3 mile strolls to more strenuous day-long rambles across the Howgills, Wensleydale, Swaledale, Nidderdale, Mallerstang and Coverdale.
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