Drive & Stroll, with RON FREETHY

THIS five-mile walk is circular and well marked. Despite the excellent marking you can be a little confused by the name of the two rivers. The Twiss and the Doe have interchanged their names several times over the years and the OS Map and the Trail leaflet still can't agree!

I prefer the trail leaflet but who cares because this is the best organised and most beautiful waterfall walk in Britain. This is my honest opinion and I've walked most of them.

I set off up one river and down the other after a period of heavy rain but the sun was shining brightly -- a typical spring morning!

If you like geology then this is the place for you. Here are banks of sandstone sandwiched between blocks of limestone. Here then is evidence that the route is along the bed of a long dried up sea.

If you like spring flowers then there are primroses, coltsfoot, dogs mercury, wood sorrel and many other species. Birds watchers are never disappointed either and I soon found dipper and grey wagtail both of which are resident on and around the river. In the woods I heard both green and great spotted woodpecker whilst overhead a pair of buzzards soared in a spectacular display flight.

Great care has been taken to provide safe walking areas, good solid bridges over the rivers and well organised platforms from which the various waterfalls can be viewed. I took care not to select a favourite waterfall because they are all impressive and all so very different.

The complex pattern of Pecca Falls is the first to be reached followed by the most famous (or at least the most photographed) which is Thornton Force. Below this are a number of well placed seats ideal for having a rest and a picnic whilst enjoying the views.

Dogs are welcome providing they are kept on leads in certain areas.

Ingleton village has lots of pubs, restaurants and cafes. It is perched up along a steep valley cut by the twin rivers which join just beyond the village to form the Greta. An impressive viaduct spans the valley a reminder of the time when visitors travelled from Lancashire, Yorkshire and beyond to spend a day around the falls. In the 1880s there were two rival companies organising trips round the falls -- one for each river!

Thankfully one company operates the falls walk and they do it very well. The leaflets are informative and visitors of all ages are made very welcome.

Here is the chance to enjoy ancient geology with the benefit of modern organisation.

IT COSTS £6 per car with pedestrian rates much reduced, but the fee is worth it. The car park is spacious and there are good toilet facilities. Open daily 9am until dusk, except Christmas Day. Groups welcome. Ring The Ingleton Scenery Company: 015242 41930.

How to get there

FROM East Lancashire drive through Gisburn, to Long Preston, where you turn left into the A65. Keep going past Clapham and on to Ingleton. The Waterfalls Walk is signed to the right.