Yorkshire has many marvels, but these rock formations in the Yorkshire Dales are intriguing geographical anomalies that will have you scratching your head. The glacial rocks carved out thousands and thousands of years ago are scattered across the southern slopes of Ingleborough and are known as the Norber Erratics.
Dark ancient boulders are balanced precariously on white plinths of limestone forming incredible natural sculptures. Crummackdale is host to one of Yorkshire’s most unique creations that is the result of the ice age glacial sweeping from an outcrop a mile away deposited on the limestone shelf.
Deposited over 12,000 and 17,000 years ago, there are various walking routes from the nearby village of Austwick to the field of natural sculptures. The Norber erratics, of which there are over 100, in the Yorkshire Dales are one of Britain’s finest examples of glacial erratic boulders.
If you’d like to take a walk out to these unique fields then start from Austwick centre heading past the Gamecock pub and turn left to head up Townhead Lane until coming across a small crossroads.
Turn left at the crossroads head over a stile and follow the track over the field. Take the steep slope upwards following the wall until you see a guidepost that takes you towards the Norber direction.
After around 50 minutes you will find yourself below a green shelf of limestone, head up until the slope levels and you will be confronted by the Norber erratics.
Make sure to visit Robin Proctor’s Scar, which is named after a local drunk who took the wrong horse back home from the inn in a storm after a few too many bevvies. His horse knew the way home, even when he was drunk, but this horse didn’t and they both fell over the scar.
It’s the perfect place to enjoy some views, have a picnic or just a nice coffee from a flask. There are plenty of naturally carved out seats in the rocks.
After you’ve had your fill you can head back to the stone wall before heading back down to Austwick. There is a clear alternative route to follow if you’d like to vary your walk down.
Once back at Austwick you can visit the Game Cock Inn for a nice pint and some food by an open fire.
Read More: This Woodland Trail With Weird & Wonderful Rock Formations In The North York Moors
Feature Image Credit: Photo © Val Vannet (cc-by-sa/2.0)
