I’ve been lucky enough to have lived in Yorkshire for 6 years now – this region is absolutely full of amazing places and experiences. A visit down Gaping Gill, one of the biggest caves in the country, has been on my Yorkshire bucket list for years. It’s located in the Yorkshire Dales near Clapham. This summer, I finally made it happen! It was one of the coolest and most surreal experiences of my life. Here’s how to visit Gaping Gill!

When to Visit Gaping Gill

Unless you’re a member of a local potholing/caving club, Gaping Gill is only open to members of the public twice a year. This is because the only way down, unless you are a caver, is via a chair winch – which is set up by one of the local clubs. The Bradford Pothole Club and the Craven Pothole Club set up the chair winch for one week around the late May bank holiday, and the August bank holiday respectively. However, this does change, so check their websites well in advance of planning your trip. The stream at the ground level is dammed and diverted, so people can safely go down the main entrance shaft of the cave.

Keep in mind there is no pre-booking system, so you are not guaranteed a spot. I highly recommend planning an overnight visit, and staying near Clapham, so you can get there early. Only members of the pothole club are allowed to camp at Gaping Gill. I’ve stayed at Dalesbridge Campsite before – it’s just off the A65 so it can be a bit noisy with traffic, but it’s less than 10 minutes’ drive to Clapham to start the hike to Gaping Gill.

How to Get to Gaping Gill

Gaping Gill is only accessible on foot – the most straightforward route is from Clapham. It will take approximately 1-1.5 hours hiking from Clapham to get to Gaping Gill. Keep in mind if you take the main path from Clapham, you’ll pass through Ingleborough Nature Reserve. There is an admission charge to use the path here. If you don’t want to pay, you can take an alternate route along the bridleway on Long Lane. You then join up with the main path to Gaping Gill at Ingleborough Cave. After hiking up the ravine at Trow Gill, the path evens out – you’ll see the tents and people around the cave before the steep climb up to Ingleborough.

What to Expect at Gaping Gill

I visited Gaping Gill as a daytrip from York, which is nearly a 2-hour drive away. Getting up super early, I arrived in Clapham at 7am, and got to Gaping Gill at 8am. I was number 59 in the queue and had to wait 3 hours until my number was called for the descent. There is no shelter at Gaping Gill, so be prepared for all types of weather. On the day I went, it was hot and sunny, and there was absolutely no shade. Bring plenty of water, food, sunscreen, and waterproof clothes. It costs £20 per person for a descent into Gaping Gill. It is cash only so BRING ENOUGH CASH WITH YOU! (I cannot emphasize this enough!)

After you’ve signed up for your descent and paid, you’re given a wristband with a number. You’re then free to wander around. If you want to hike up Ingleborough, one of the Yorkshire Three Peaks, you could do this before returning and descending into the cave – I chose to do this after my descent.

Eventually your number will be called and after grabbing a helmet, you will get ready to descend. The chair winch is set up and operated by volunteers of the potholing club, who will make sure you are ready to safely descend.

Exploring Gaping Gill

The descent by chair winch takes approximately 1 minute to travel 98 meters (322 feet) down into Gaping Gill. This was an absolute thrill! Easily one of the coolest things I’ve ever done. Keep in mind you will get wet with water and spray as you go up and down. It’s also much cooler down inside the cave – about 8-10˚C (46-50˚F) – so bring appropriate clothing.

Gaping Gill is huge – the interior is big enough to fit York Minster inside it! It’s also home to the longest waterfall in England. Although, since most of it is underground, people tend not to count it. (England’s longest single-drop waterfall is Hardraw Force, and the longest cascade waterfall is Cautley Spout near the Howgills.) Once you’ve descended, you’re free to wander around as you please – there’s no time limit for how long you can be there. I spent about 30 minutes in the cave itself, then joined the queue to ascend in the chair winch back above ground. I actually loved this, as I took loads of photos of people going up and down in the chair winch!

Soon enough, it was my turn to head back up. It was just as fun as descending! After returning my helmet and taking some layers off, I said goodbye to Gaping Gill and headed on my hike up Ingleborough.

What to Pack for Gaping Gill

Gaping Gill is only accessed by hiking, usually from Clapham, and there are absolutely no facilities around the cave. You need to take everything you’ll need for the day with you. I recommend bringing the following things with you if you visit:

• Sturdy hiking boots
• Waterproof rain jacket and pants
• Waterproof phone case
• Dry bag (for example, if you have camera equipment)
• Warm layers (a jacket or fleece)
• Flashlight/headlamp
• Lots of food/water
• Sunscreen

What to Do Around Gaping Gill

The hike from Clapham to Gaping Gill is part of one of my favorite walks in the Yorkshire Dales: the loop up to Ingleborough. This hike is about 12 miles, with fantastic views over the surrounding area (on a good weather day). When I did this hike in 2021 – without the visit to Gaping Gill but including a visit to Ingleborough Cave – it took me about 5.5 hours.

Planning Your Trip

I highly recommend staying around Clapham, so you can be up at the crack of dawn to get to Gaping Gill and get in the queue before they start descents. There are a number of accommodation options around Clapham, including in Settle. I camped at the Dalesbridge Campsite, which was very convenient. Keep in mind it is located right off the A65 road, so you will have some traffic noise. They have camping pods and a 4- or 6-bed cabin available too, as well as a bar on site that does wood-fired pizza. For hostels, the most convenient option would probably be the YHA Ingleton. You can search for hostels here, and for hotels and B&Bs here. Don’t forget to check Airbnb too!

It is easiest to visit Gaping Gill (and Clapham) if you have your own car. The 580/581/582 bus stops in Clapham and runs between Lancaster and Skipton, which both have train stations. I always use Trainline to book my train tickets. Considering travel insurance for your trip? World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 adventure activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.

Exploring Gaping Gill was one of the most exciting and thrilling experiences I’ve had in Yorkshire to date. Although it can be tricky to time out your visit as it’s only accessible to the public twice a year, it’s well worth the logistical planning! Bookmark the local pothole club websites to check for confirmed dates for 2023. I hope this helps in planning out your visit to Gaping Gill!

Have you even visited Gaping Gill in the Yorkshire Dales before? Would you go?!

You might also like my posts:

The BEST Places to Visit in the Yorkshire Dales

Hiking From Ingleborough to Clapham in the Yorkshire Dales

Whernside: The Highest Peak in Yorkshire

Exploring the Yorkshire Dales: Hiking Pen-y-Ghent

The Prettiest Villages to See in Swaledale

A Quick Guide to Aysgarth Falls in the Yorkshire Dales

The Ultimate Yorkshire Guide: 88 Incredible Places to Visit in Yorkshire

All of my Yorkshire posts!

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