Austwick and the Norber Erratics

If ever anyone asked me to show them a walk through the best limestone scenery in the Dales then this walk from Austwick (just off the A65) is it. On the slopes of Ingleborough and complete with the famous Norber Erratics the walk is 5 miles of sheer delight.

Park in the pretty village of Austwick and at the north east end of the village (past the Game Cock) take the quiet lane heading north. Having climbed steadily through Town Head for 1/3 of a mile there is a farm track heading left. Within a few metres of turning left on to the track a stile heads over the dry stone wall on to the open countryside beyond. Typical Dales scenery abounds, walls, sheep and close cut grass are overlooked by the impressive Proctors Scar. Head for the right of the scar and over a 2nd stile on to open access land. From here feel free to roam at will!

Head past the scar and soon a series of large boulders pepper the landscape. These are the Norber Erratics and have probably stood in splendid isolation for up to 12,000 years when they were left behind by the retreating glaciers of the last ice age. Some are sat on raised lumps of limestone rock, the hard gritstone protecting the weaker limestone underneath from erosion (on a grander scale think Pen y Ghent a few miles to the east). At the next wall any semblance of a path runs out, just follow the myriad of sheep tracks that criss cross the area.

From the 3rd wall keep heading north over a series of exposed limestone pavements which have formed over the years. It is easy to see the deep fissures (grykes) where the erosive power of ice and water has created the pavements (clints) in this distinctive and unique landscape. Imagine as you walk over the pavements the vast, unexplored, caves and underground passages that lie below your feet. The pavements stretch for nearly a mile, keep to the high ground and enjoy not only the wonderful landscape underfoot but also the views up to Ingleborough to the north west.

After a mile an obvious track is met, turn right and head south east towards the farm at Crummack. At Crummack Farm join the lane heading south. However, an alternative at the farm, is to take a footpath heading just east of north and have a closer look at Moughton Scars, another geological masterpiece in this area that is a geographers dream. If you do this return back to the farm (the detour adds less than 2 miles to the day). From Crummack Farm follow the lane for ½ a mile where it divides, take the left track and head for Austwick Beck on the dale floor. It is an excellent and well used picnic spot.

The track carries on from the river for ¾ a mile until it enters the pretty hamlet/village of Wharfe. With a permanent population of just 30 it is a typical example of the difficulty of surviving and making a living in this part of the Dales, at least the school at Austwick remains open! Having walked through Wharfe take the lane south till it meets a quiet road, turn right and follow the road for a mile back in to the centre of Austwick.

Fact Box:

Distance: Roughly 6 miles (7 1/2 if you include Moughton Scar).

Height to Climb: 250m (820 feet)

Start: SD 768865. There is parking in Austwick but please be considerate to the locals..

Difficulty: Medium. Some of the ground beyond Proctor Scar is rough and off path but most is straightforward on lanes and good tracks.

Refreshments: The Game Cock in Austwick is very good whilst the Traddock has an award winning restaurant.

Be Prepared:

The route description and sketch map only provide a guide to the walk. You must take out and be able to read a map (O/S Explorer OL30) and in cloudy/misty conditions a compass. You must also wear the correct clothing and footwear for the outdoors. Whilst every effort is made to provide accurate information, walkers head out at their own risk.

Please observe the Countryside Code and park sensibly.

Jonathan Smith runs Where2walk, an outdoor business in the Yorkshire Dales:

•Jonathan has written his own book, the “Dales 30” which describes the highest mountains in the Dales

• 1 Day Navigation Courses for Beginners and Intermediates held near Settle

• Learn a Skill, Climb a Hill Weekends in June and October

To find out more details on any of the above and details of many more walks in the area visit his popular website, Where2walk.co.uk https://where2walk. co.uk/