Norber Erratics from Clapham
North Yorkshire
The Norber Erratics are one of the best known glacial features in Britain, on a route where dogs go on a lead past grazing sheep and over several ladder stiles: a field of dark Silurian boulders carried down from Crummackdale by ice and dumped on the limestone slopes above Austwick. Because the limestone around them has since worn away, many now sit on pale pedestals of rock. This 7.2km loop starts at the national park car park in Clapham and follows Thwaite Lane, a walled track through two tunnels that in the Middle Ages linked Fountains Abbey with Lancaster. It passes under Robin Proctor's Scar, climbs through a cleft in the crags to the erratics field, then drops past Nappa Scars and returns along Crummack Lane and field paths. There are about 210 metres of climbing, with short steep sections, stone stiles and several ladder stiles.
This is a dog friendly walk for fit, agile dogs, but the stiles make it harder than the distance suggests: small or older dogs may need lifting over the ladder stiles, and there are narrow stone step stiles too. The open limestone pasture around Norber is grazed, so expect your dog to be on a lead through most of the fields and on the open hillside. The walled Thwaite Lane is the most relaxed section for a dog. Water is scarce once you leave Clapham, so carry some. The car park has toilets, and the New Inn in Clapham allows dogs in its bar.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 7.2 km (4.5 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 2 hr 30 min
- Walk Type
- Historic, Moorland
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Low
- Livestock Risk
- High
- Facilities
- Toilets at Clapham car park; pub and cafe in Clapham, and the New Inn allows dogs in its bar.
- Parking
- Clapham National Park car park, Church Avenue, pay and display, with toilets.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Norber Erratics from Clapham, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
The Stable At Coppy House Farm
Sleeps 4 · 2 dogs · Enclosed garden
from £1,040 / 7 nights
Town End Farm - Stable Cottage
Sleeps 6 · 2 dogs · Enclosed garden
from £745 / 7 nights
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All dog friendly stays in North YorkshireFrequently Asked Questions
Is Norber Erratics from Clapham dog friendly?
This walk is dog friendly with a rating of 6 out of 10, making it a reasonable choice for fit and agile dogs but worth thinking through before you go. The route passes through grazed limestone pasture, so leads are required through most of the fields and on the open hillside, and the multiple ladder stiles and narrow stone step stiles add a physical challenge that may not suit smaller or older dogs. After the walk, the New Inn in Clapham welcomes dogs in its bar, which makes for a nice end to the day.
Can dogs be off lead at Norber Erratics from Clapham?
Off-lead time is limited on this walk, as the open limestone pasture around Norber is grazed by sheep and leads are expected through most of the fields and on the hillside. The best section for a more relaxed dog is the walled Thwaite Lane, which forms part of the outward route and offers a welcome change of pace from the lead-on stretches.
What should I know before visiting Norber Erratics from Clapham with my dog?
The route covers 7.2km with around 210 metres of climbing and includes short steep sections, narrow stone step stiles, and several ladder stiles — small or older dogs may need lifting over the latter, so it's best suited to fit and agile dogs. Water is scarce once you leave Clapham, so it's important to carry enough for your dog for the full loop. Toilets are available at the Clapham National Park car park, and the New Inn in Clapham allows dogs in its bar if you fancy a stop afterwards.
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