Cave Descriptions

EuroSpeleo 2016 - Cave Route Description

CALF HOLES to BROWGILL CAVE

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Calf Holes through to Browgill is a fantastic little trip with a bit of everything in a very short space (and a very short walk to the cave too). An easy surface pitch lands in a stream passage which leads via a short connecting to the impressively proportioned Browgill Cave and an exit to daylight. This is a fine introduction to caving for novices, but very enjoyable for all!

Parking:

In Horton in Ribblesdale take the small road towards New Houses. Follow this to the end of the public road at High Birkwith Farm. Ask permission at the farm to visit the caves, and to ask where they would prefer you to park (usually they will direct you to drive up the rough track beyond the farm to where Old Ing House is on the right, and to park off the track before the next gate). Note that an arrangement with High Birkwith Farm may be in place for Eurospeleo delegates (but has not been confirmed at the time of writing). Please ask at the Eurospeleo caving reception desk and watch for further details.

How to find:

Grid reference SD 8040 7758

Follow up the track beyond High Birkwith Farm and through the gate at the end. After the gate, turn left and follow along another track. After 300m, at a gate, cross a stile on the right, where you will find the entrance to Calf Holes with a stream sinking directly ahead.

Navigation:

The entrance involves an easy 8m pitch in daylight. This drops into the stream, which should be followed underground, downstream, into spacious passage.

After a short distance, two rifts are passed on the left which lead to sumps. The water sinks to the left and the continuing passage ahead becomes wide and cobbled. Around here, a low crawl on the left leads via a few squeezes and bends, to emerge at roof level in a small chamber in Browgill Cave, just a short distance from the stream.

Follow downstream to a 6m waterfall. This can be bypassed by a tube on the right leading to a staircase. Follow downstream to emerge into daylight at Browgill Cave. On exiting, walk uphill (i.e. behind the entrance) to a stile crossing the wall. Turn right and follow the path to return towards Calf Holes.