Ivy creepers hang down over the steep rock side-walls, lush ferns and mosses sprout between the huge boulders and the trundled pebbles that cover the stream bed. Upstream water can be heard spilling over the lip of a short cascade into a shallow plunge pool below. The group venture around the bend up into the gorge and tip-toe around the pool before one-by-one scrambling up rocks abundant in holds and moving eagerly to their next small climb, it looks more difficult but the group are growing in confidence and tackle it with zeal. Just then an owl,rudely awoken, exits the gorge low overhead…

…the limestone landscape of the Yorkshire Dales is riddled with sharply cut watercourses and it is the unique nature of exploration within these 'gorges' that makes this one of Ingleborough Hall's most enjoyable instructed activities amongst child and adult alike. Often dry, sometimes wet, but always interesting, clambering up, over and under the water-worn rocks of a gorge provides not only physical challenge but also huge potential for exciting learning on the move. Whether it is linked to stream studies, plant/vegetation habitats, fossil hunts, countryside access or even about the resident wildlife, groups learn along the way in this spontaneous, unfettered activity. The Centre provides all necessary safety equipment and this varies dependant upon the choice of gorge itself but the basic outfit consists of walking boots, full waterproofs, a helmet and a climbing belt. Students need only warm, comfortable clothes that they don't mind getting wet. An instructor will take a maximum group size of twelve on this adventure with another responsible adult but although the students are encouraged to help each other over the difficulties a group size of ten or less makes for a more dynamic journey.