Troller's Gill

A narrow limestone gorge that cuts through the moorland north of Skipton, Troller's Gill is the sort of place that makes you wonder how many walkers pass within a mile of it without realising what they're missing. The beck runs through a proper cleft in the rock - high enough to feel dramatic but snug enough that you're constantly aware of the stone walls either side. It's about a mile long and mostly accessible underfoot, though there are spots where you'll need to scramble a bit if the water's high.

The walk itself is straightforward if you approach from the Appletreewick side, though finding the starting point requires attention to signage. Once you're in, it's genuinely absorbing - the kind of landscape that photographs better than it sounds, all dark water and weathered stone. Geologists reckon it's worth the detour, and walkers heading to Bolton Abbey or exploring the Wharfedale area shouldn't skip it.

You'll want a good hour to do this properly, longer if you're pottering about taking pictures. Free, obviously. Best attempted after dry weather when the beck's manageable but still flowing; in heavy rain it becomes a proper torrent and frankly too risky. Howgill Lodge and Bolton Abbey Estate's campsite are close by, making it an easy add-on to a park-based holiday in the Dales. Families with young children might find the scrambling tedious, but keen walkers and anyone keen on Yorkshire's geology will find it worthwhile.