As a fellow history and mystery seeker, I am so excited for you to share this trip! The Ingleton Waterfalls Trail is a Victorian masterpiece of landscaping—it was actually opened in 1885 and became a sensation for travellers arriving by steam train.
The Money Tree and the Black Dog: Chasing Legends in the Swilla Glen
Today I took on the legendary Ingleton Waterfalls Trail in Yorkshire. From the ‘Money Tree’ of Swilla Glen to the thundering 14-meter drop of Thornton Force, this 4.5-hour trek is a journey through time. And with our handy check list enclosed you can too.
While the Ingleton Waterfalls Trail is famous for its geology, it is steeped in folklore and a few “unexplained” features that add a touch of mystery to this hike. We take a look at the mysterious money tree in the Swilla Glen and the Barguest (the terrifying huge black dog with glowing eyes, in which Arthur Conan-Doyle was meant to take inspiration for his dog in the Hound of the Baskervilles) More Here about the story of the black dog.
The Waterfalls & Rivers
The trail follows a circular route along two distinct rivers, carved into spectacular limestone and sandstone gorges.
- The River Twiss (The Going Up)
Swilla Glen is your starting point, it’s a deep limestone gorge. Look out for the famous “Money Tree” (a fallen oak stump filled with thousands of coins).
Pecca Falls is a series of five cascading drops! It’s so beautiful here!
Hollybush Spout is a dramatic, narrow chute of water.
Thornton Force The “showstopper” of the trail. It’s a 14m (46ft) drop over a limestone cliff. Fun fact – This waterfall was a favorite subject for the famous artist J.M.W. Turner!
The River Doe (The Coming Down Bit)
Beezley Falls: – Featuring the “Triple Spout”—three side-by-side waterfalls.
Rival Falls – These drop into a pool known as the “Black Hole,” which is rumored to be over 80 feet deep!
Baxenghyll Gorge is a narrow, dramatic chasm. You can view it from a bridge that gives you a dizzying look straight down.
And Snow Falls is the final majestic fall before you head back toward the village.
Useful Visitor Information
- Opening Times (Winter): The trail opens at 9:00am. During winter (Nov–Feb), the last entry is strictly 2:30pm to ensure everyone is safely off the trail before dusk.
- Difficulty: This is a moderate to strenuous hike. It involves a significant number of steps (hundreds of them!). It is not accessible for wheelchairs or pushchairs.
- Time: Allow roughly 4 to 4.5 hours to enjoy the views and take photos without rushing.
- Facilities: * Parking: Available at the Broadwood entrance (included in your ticket price). Some feel this is quite expensive at £11 for an adult ticket, and £5.50 for over 16’s, but all proceeds go into maintaining this lovely, historic area. No pre-booking needed.
- Toilets: Located at the start (car park) and roughly halfway through at Beezley Farm.
- Cafe: The main cafe is at the start/end, and there is a refreshment kiosk at the halfway point (though check seasonal hours for the kiosk!).
- Pro Tip: Wear sturdy walking boots with good grip. The spray from the falls makes the stone steps very slippery, especially in winter.
Now watch out for those ghostly and mysterious secrets won’t you?
The Mysterious “Money Trees”
In the Swilla Glen section, you’ll find gnarled tree trunks and fallen logs studded with thousands of coins.
This isn’t just a modern trend; the tradition of “wishing trees” dates back to the 1700’s. People hammer coins into the bark to “gift” them to the spirits or deities of the woods in exchange for good luck or healing. So don’t forget to pop a penny in your pocket before your exploration. And don’t do as I did! – As local legend suggests that if you take a coin out of the tree, you take on the illness or bad luck of the person who put it there, don’t worry though I put it back rather quickly!, my sense of humour doesn’t always do me favours!
The Inspiration for “The Hound of the Baskervilles”
There is a fascinating literary mystery surrounding the area. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle frequently visited his mother, who lived at Masongill, near Ingleton. See my blog post on the Ingleton area and the church Mr Conan Doyle was married at just down the road from here.
It is widely believed that he heard local legends of the Barguest—a terrifying, spectral black dog with glowing eyes that was said to haunt the Dales—while staying here. These local ghost stories are thought to be a primary inspiration for his most famous Sherlock Holmes mystery.
The “Black Hole” at Baxenghyll Gorge
Baxenghyll Gorge is the deepest and narrowest part of the trail, featuring a bridge that hangs over a dark, swirling plunge pool known as The Black Hole.
Many hikers report a distinctly “eerie” feeling in this section of the River Doe. Because the gorge is so deep and the rock is dark slate, the water appears bottomless and black, leading to old local tales of the gorge being a gateway to “the other side.”
Walking Behind Thornton Force
Thornton Force is unique because it is one of the few waterfalls where, with great care, you can actually walk behind the curtain of water.
Geologically, you are standing in a “time gap.” The vertical slates at the bottom are 500 million years old, while the horizontal limestone above is “only” 330 million years old. Standing in that dark space behind the roar of the water feels like standing in a void between two different eras of the Earth’s history.
Ghostly Mists of the River Doe
While there are no specific named ghosts on the trail itself, local folklore in the Dales often mentions “Wraiths”(green or white mists that take human-like shapes above deep pools). On a cold, foggy Yorkshire morning, the spray from the waterfalls often creates these shapes, fuelling centuries of stories about spirits guarding the rivers.
Final Thoughts – A Trail Like No Other
The Ingleton Waterfalls Trail is more than just a 4.5-hour hike; it is a portal into the wild heart of Yorkshire. Whether you are standing in the “time gap” behind the thundering roar of Thornton Force, hammering a penny into the gnarled bark of the Money Tree, or keeping a wary eye out for the Barguest in the shadows of the gorge, this trail stays with you long after you’ve cleaned the mud off your boots.
It’s rare to find a place where Victorian engineering, ancient geology, and haunting literary legends collide so perfectly. If you’re looking for a trek that feeds both your sense of adventure and your love for the unexplained, this historic loop is waiting for you. Even if you are not able to do the whole circular route and just do the first mile or so adventure, scenery and the mystery of the landscape that is thousands of years old, awaits you.
Your Handy Checklist
Ingleton Waterfalls Trail Essential Checklist Gear & Clothing – Sturdy Walking Boots.
The limestone steps are notoriously slippery. – Don’t forget a Waterproof Jacket.
Even on sunny days, the spray from Thornton Force will get you. – Don’t forget your layers – The gorges can be much cooler than the open trail sections. A nice lightweight ruck sack for all your bits is a very handy item.
The “Mystery” Kit – A Copper Penny: To leave your own wish (and avoid the bad luck of taking one!).
Camera/Phone: For the 500-million-year-old rock formations and “wraiths!”
Binoculars – To spot the birds of prey above the River Doe.
Logistics – Ticket/Booking: £11 per adult (card payments accepted at the Broadwood entrance).
Water & Snacks – While there is a halfway cafe, always carry a bottle for the climb.
Timing – Start no later than 1:00 PM in winter to ensure you finish before the 2:30 PM /last entry cut off.
Pro Tip If you want the best photo of Thornton Force without the crowds, try to be at the gates right when they open at 9:00 AM!
Are you brave enough to peer into the depths of the “Black Hole” at Baxenghyll Gorge, or have you already encountered the legends of the Dales? Tell me your favourite Yorkshire mystery in the comments below!
Until next time dear friends x Share your thoughts …..
