Above Austwick, on the southern slopes of Ingleborough, Yorkshire Dales
Norber Erratics
Unusual place
Place photograph
6.4
Wildland
1–2 hours
Time
Check
Cost
Dramatic
Feel
Why it's Wildland
6.4Dark greywacke boulders sit improbably on little limestone pedestals above Austwick. Carried here by ice, they have outlasted the surrounding limestone as rainwater slowly dissolved the rock beneath and around them.
A distinctive geological find with a satisfying field-side mystery: the boulders look balanced on stone stems, but those pedestals record the slow wearing-away of the limestone beneath them. Pair the close-up details with the open views from the scar slopes.
Dramatic · Wild · Ancient-feeling
Find your way
Open mapAbove Austwick, on the southern slopes of Ingleborough, Yorkshire Dales
Opening map…
Know this place a little better?
The experience
Walk up from Austwick to explore the boulder field and limestone scars. The defining detail is the contrast between the dark, transported greywacke and the pale limestone pedestals beneath it. Allow time to look closely, then take in the views across the surrounding Dales.
Things to do
Compare the boulders with their limestone pedestals
Look for the dark greywacke blocks resting on small limestone stems. The boulders protected the stone directly beneath them while rainwater dissolved the surrounding limestone.
20–40 minutes
Explore the boulder field
Take time to look for individual erratics across the site; the field contains multiple boulders, not just one signature block.
20–45 minutes
Take in the views from the scar slopes
The walk approaches the erratics across open countryside and scar slopes, with views over the surrounding hills and countryside.
As part of the walk
Make a day of it
Quick escape · About 1–2 hours; route and duration depend on the approach.
Quick escape: find the perched boulders
- 01
Start from Austwick and follow a suitable footpath towards Norber; confirm the route and access before setting out.
- 02
Explore the boulder field and look closely at the contrast between dark greywacke and pale limestone.
- 03
Return by your chosen approach, allowing for uneven or steep ground.
Half day · About 2–3 hours for a walk from Austwick; allow extra time for exploration.
Make a half day of it: Norber and the surrounding scars
- 01
Begin in Austwick and follow a checked route towards the erratics.
- 02
Spend time exploring the boulder field rather than treating it as a single photo stop.
- 03
Continue on a suitable route by the nearby scars or towards Crummackdale, checking route details and access before departure.
- 04
Return to Austwick.
Verified history
Norber’s erratics are glacially transported boulders on the southern slopes of Ingleborough, near Austwick. Many are Silurian greywacke perched on limestone pedestals, formed as rainwater dissolved the exposed limestone around the areas sheltered by the boulders. The boulders were probably deposited by melting ice near the end of the last ice age; cosmogenic dating cited by the source suggests exposure for around 17,900 years.
Hidden details
The limestone pedestal is a weathering record — The small stone stem beneath a boulder is not simply a second boulder: the overlying block shielded the limestone beneath it while surrounding limestone was gradually dissolved by rainfall.
Look for the different rock types — The dark greywacke erratics contrast with the limestone platform they rest on—a visible clue that the boulders were transported from elsewhere.
When to go
· Choose a clear, settled time for the surrounding views; no specific best hour is established by the supplied sources.
The supplied sources do not establish a seasonal highlight. Route conditions matter: rougher and steeper sections may be more difficult in wet weather.
Check the forecast and ground conditions. Wear suitable footwear for rocky, uneven paths and take care on steep sections, particularly when wet.
The route
- ascent
- 866 ft for the AllTrails route
- stiles
- Some routes include stiles
- surface
- Wide stony track and rural paths, with rough, rocky and steeper sections
- distance
- 3.9 miles for the AllTrails out-and-back route from Austwick
- duration
- 2–2.5 hours for the AllTrails route; another source describes a village walk taking around 2–3 hours
- difficulty
- Moderate; rougher and steeper sections require care
- waymarking
- Route descriptions mention footpath signs; confirm navigation before setting out
- route shape
- Out and back
- start point
- Austwick
- parking start
- Parking is not consistently confirmed. One source reports poor parking and recommends parking in Austwick; another says there is no specific car park. Check before visiting.
- shorter alternative
- Walk from Austwick to the erratics and return by the same route; check the route and access locally.
- Perched greywacke boulders
- Limestone pedestals and pavement
- Views over surrounding hills and countryside
- Nearby Nappa Scar and Crummackdale
Worth pairing with
Austwick
Use the village as a starting point for the walk; confirm current parking and facilities before travelling.
Crummackdale
A nearby valley named as a top sight on the Norber Erratics route; consider it as part of a longer walk only after checking the route and access.
What to look for
Look for the dark greywacke blocks perched on small limestone pedestals, some reported to reach around 30 cm high. Notice how the surrounding limestone surface has weathered away while the stone directly beneath each boulder was protected.
The story
Glacial geology; limestone landscape
Best time to go
Check conditions before visiting; the exposed, rocky approaches may be more difficult in wet weather.
Choose a clear, settled day for the open views. Check conditions before setting out, as rough or steep sections can be harder in wet weather.
How long to spend
1–2 hours
Perfect for
Walkers · Photographers · Families · History lovers
Before you go
Practical information
Opening & access
The erratics are reached on rural footpaths from Austwick, but access arrangements and the precise route should be checked before setting out. Some approaches include steep, rocky or uneven ground; take care in wet weather and around livestock. Access arrangements are unconfirmed. Check before visiting; do not enter private land or restricted structures.
Check before visiting
Parking
Parking arrangements are not confirmed. Check before visiting; do not assume roadside parking is available.
Check before visiting
Toilets
Check before visiting.
Check before visiting
Food & drink
Check before visiting.
Check before visiting
Dogs
Check before visiting; livestock may be present on paths.
Check before visiting
Accessibility
The source row says the entrance is not wheelchair accessible. Approaches include uneven and rocky paths, and some sections are steep; check route conditions and access before visiting.
Check before visiting
Cost
Check before visiting
Check before visiting
Gallery
Place photographs
Keep exploring
Around Norber Erratics
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
