Limestone pavement



Limestone pavements are a typical feature of the dales and the best examples can be seen on around Ingleborough. However over notable areas include above Malham Cove, the south edge of Whernside at Twisleton, above Grassington in Wharfedale and great ashby scar north of the Howgill fells.

The pavements are formed from where outcropping limestone has been eroded by water leaving a series of limestone blocks separated by often very deep cracks or grikes. Within the shelter of these grikes numerous plants grow.



While large outcrops produce truly unusual landscapes, small outcrops of limestone pavement are often merely pretty with the exceedingly photogenic wind beaten trees above being typical.

While exploring limestone pavements can be fascinating it is often slow going and should be done with care - it would be very easy to twist or break an ankle in one of the grikes. Indeed wet limestone is famously slippy and wet limestone pavements are best avoided.