Hull Pot: The Ultimate Visitor’s Guide

Hull Pot is an incredible natural attraction in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. The collapsed cavern is much more than just a huge hole in the ground. Sometimes, Hull Pot springs to life with a mesmerising waterfall. And, on the rare occasion, the cavern completely fills with water, becoming a temporary lake. By doing a short and simple walk, you can explore the underrated Hull Pot, and also Hunt Pot, which is a nearby pothole. In this guide, we’re going to tell you everything you need to know about walking to and visiting Hull Pot in the Yorkshire Dales.

What Is Hull Pot?

Hull Pot is a collapsed cavern and it’s also referred to as a chasm. It measures approx. 90 metres in length and about 20 metres wide and deep! Whilst it’s found on the western side of the well-known and recognisable Pen-y-ghent.

What you see at Hull Pot all depends on recent weather and the time of year you visit. During summer, with a lack of rainfall, the chasm can completely dry up. Even during these times, it’s still worth a visit to simply just admire the largest natural hole in England. But, it is England after all! With the usual rainfall present in this part of the world, you can expect some action at Hull Pot which comes in the shape of a magnificent waterfall.

Basically, the collapsed cavern lies on the watercourse of Hull Pot Beck. During dry spells, the beck either completely dries up, or continues to run, but only underground, before the hole. This means there is no waterfall or any water present. But, when the beck and underground passage overfill, water from Hull Pot Beck spills and plummets over the edge of the hole, creating a spectacular waterfall.

Even more mesmerising, during times of intense and heavy rainfall, usually in winter, the entire chasm can actually fill. It fills just like a giant bathtub. Indeed, seeing Hull Pot full of water is an incredible sight! Of course, when the chasm is full, safety becomes more of an issue as the surrounding landscape floods.

Personally, when Beck and I visited in winter, we were lucky to experience the awesome Hull Pot waterfall. Although, just a few weeks later, we found out it completely filled after heavy rain!

Where Is Hull Pot?

Hull Pot is located, on the western flank of Pen-y-ghent in North Yorkshire. Please click on the Hull Pot map below to access an interactive map on Google Maps.

Hull Pot Walk

Often, people will visit Hull Pot during the circular Pen-y-ghent Walk. But, Hull Pot can also be explored on a short walk from Horton in Ribblesdale without the need to summit Pen-y-ghent. Indeed, this short out and back walk to Hull Pot is becoming more popular as the attraction becomes better known. Let’s look at the trail specs and a map of this short Hull Pot Walk.

Hull Pot Walk Route Information

• Type: Out & Back
• Distance: 6.4km
• Time: 2–2.5 hours
• Accumulated elevation gain: 210m
• Difficulty: Easy
• Map: AllTrails

Hull Pot Walk Map

Here’s a map of the Hull Pot Walk. Press on the image below to access a map with GPS-guided directions.

Hull Pot Walk Route Description

In the trail description below, we’ll briefly review the Hull Pot Walk. Honestly speaking, there isn’t much to explain as the walk is quite short and straightforward. But, we’ll give you a wee rundown, so you know what to expect.

Hull Pot

Starting from Horton in Ribblesdale, you’ll head up Horton Scar Lane. The path gradually ascends through the scenic Horton Scar area, which sits at the base of the stunning Pen-y-ghent. At around the 2.7km mark, you’ll swap the uneven terrain of a country lane for a flat grassy landscape. From this point, you’ll walk around 500 metres further north to reach the big hole in the ground! If you’re lucky enough, you’ll hopefully see the immense Hull Pot waterfall.

It’s possible to walk around to the top of the falls. But, personally, Beck and I were happy to admire the collapsed cavern from its southern edge. Actually, as you walk around the southern edge of the hole, you’ll find a breathtaking viewpoint. The surrounding walls of the cavern create the perfect frame for the cascading Hull Pot waterfall. After heavy rainfall, you’ll also see other smaller waterfalls litter the northern rim of the hole.

After scoping out this excellent natural attraction, you can simply retrace your steps to complete the Hull Pot Walk. Otherwise, if you’re keen to check out another fracture in the land, you can head to Hunt Pot.

​​​​​​​Hunt Pot

You’ll find Hunt Pot is located just a stone’s throw away from Hull Pot. Most people will actually unknowingly walk past Hunt Pot as they walk from Pen-y-ghent to Hull Pot. You can see the exact location of Hunt Pot in the image below. Although not as spectacular as Hull Pot, Hunt Pot is an amazingly thin pothole. Indeed, it’s a terribly narrow opening, the shape of a squinting eye. In times of heavy rain, water can plummet over the edge and into the Hunt Pot. It’s quite an amazing scene as the water falls and disappears into Hunt Pot.

A Summary of Other Hull Pot Walks

Other than the walk discussed above, there are different routes that involve visiting Hull Pot. Let’s look at these below.

Hull Pot, Hunt Pot and Pen-y-ghent

• Type: Loop
• Distance: 11km
• Time: 3.5–5 hours
• Accumulated elevation gain: 515m
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Map: AllTrails

The circular Pen-y-ghent Walk is a common route taken to visit Hull Pot and also Hunt Pot. After summiting Pen-y-ghent, you’ll also visit Hull and Hunt Pots, on your way back to Horton in Ribblesdale.

Hull Pot, Plover Hill and Pen-y-ghent

• Type: Loop
• Distance: 15km
• Time: 5–6 hours
• Accumulated elevation gain: 620m
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Map: AllTrails

Similar to the Pen-y-ghent Walk, you’ll explore Hull Pot and Hunt Pot, after summiting Pen-y-ghent and also Plover Hill.

Hull Pot Circular Walk

• Type: Loop
• Distance: 7.6km
• Time: 2–2.5 hours
• Accumulated elevation gain: 195m
• Difficulty: Easy
• Map: AllTrails

If you want to explore more of the surrounding area, without summiting Pen-y-ghent, you can do a circular walk instead of just a return walk. Basically, instead of returning directly to Horton in Ribblesdale, you’ll head west, following the Yorkshire Three Peaks signs. You’ll take in Whitber Hill and Sell Gill Hill, before returning via Pennine Way to Horton in Ribblesdale.

How to Get There: Parking in Horton in Ribblesdale

The easiest and quickest way to get to Horton in Ribblesdale is to drive there yourself. You can park at either the pay and display Horton in Ribblesdale Yorkshire Dales National Park Car Park or find free street-side parking here.

Admittedly, most people park at the pay and display car park. So, that’s where most people start the Hull Pot Walk from. Paying £5 will give you parking access for more than two hours, which means you won’t be rushed when walking to and exploring Hull Pot.

If you arrive early enough, it’s possible to find free street-side parking on the right-hand side of this small road off the B6479. Of course, these spaces fill quickly as there is probably only enough space for around 8–10 vehicles.

If you don’t have your own set of wheels, we recommend hiring a car.

To find out more about renting a car with Discover Cars, read our Discover Cars review and Discover Cars Insurance review.

Public Transport

It’s also possible to use public transport to get to Horton in Ribblesdale. You can get a direct train to Horton in Ribblesdale from Leeds. Feel free to check the train times and prices here. We recommend using Trainline and Google Maps to help plan your journey.

Although, we don’t recommend using public transport to get to Horton in Ribblesdale. That’s because it may be a slow and tedious journey, depending on where you’re travelling from in the UK. Also, services can be limited, particularly during the week. Certainly, it’s best to drive to Horton in Ribblesdale yourself.

Other Places to Visit in the Yorkshire Dales

If you want to see other great natural places in Yorkshire, then you’ll have to see more of the sensational Yorkshire Dales National Park. Below, we’ve listed some of the other best places to visit and walks to do in the Dales.

• Aysgarth Falls: explore the truly sublime Lower, Middle and Upper Aysgarth Falls.
• Cauldron Falls (West Burton Falls): a lesser-known waterfall that’s nearby Aysgarth Falls.
• Hardraw Force: one of the most famous waterfalls in Yorkshire after featuring in Robin Hood Prince of Thieves.
• Ilkley Moor: a famous moorland in West Yorkshire.
• Simon’s Seat and Bolton Abbey Waterfall: explore the epic rocky outcrop at Simon’s Seat and the underrated Bolton Abbey Waterfall in the Valley of Desolation. Otherwise, you can do the Bolton Abbey Walk via The Strid.
• Ingleton Waterfalls Trail: of course, there are many waterfalls to see along the Ingleton Falls Trail.
• Cautley Spout: England’s highest waterfall above ground, can be seen on a walk around Howgill Fell.
• Brimham Rocks: an outstanding National Trust attraction, that’s best enjoyed on a short circular walk through the moorland.
• Conistone Pie and Dib Circular: a lovely circular walk taking in the limestone landscape surrounding the small town of Conistone.
• Keld Waterfalls Walk: you’ll explore many waterfalls on this walk, including the brilliant upper and lower East Gill Force.
• Settle Caves and Waterfalls Walk: from nearby Settle, you’ll visit Catrigg Force, Attermire Scar and Scalebar Force.

Hiking Essentials

These are our hiking gear essentials for the Hull Pot Walk.

To find out more about all of the gear that we use and recommend, read our guides about our favourite hiking gear, travel gear and camera gear. Otherwise, read our comprehensive travel packing checklist.

Best Villages to See in the Yorkshire Dales

• Grassington: Everything You Need to Know About Grassington
• Hawes: The 16 Best Things To Do In Hawes
• Ingleton: 10 Awesome Things To Do In Ingleton
• Masham: Everything You Need to Know About Masham
• Buckden: The 5 Best Things To Do In Buckden, Yorkshire
• Keld: The 5 Best Things To Do in Keld, North Yorkshire
• Clapham: The Top 13 Things To Do During A Visit to Clapham, Yorkshire
• Ribblehead: 15 Awesome Things To Do In Ribblehead

Bonus Tips

• Pen-y-ghent weather: keep an eye out on the weather before you go. Visiting after rainfall means there’s more likely to be a waterfall at Hull Pot. You can check the weather forecast on Met Office or Mountain Forecast.
• Arrive early for free parking: as mentioned, free parking is available in Horton in Ribblesdale.
• Hull Pot caving: click here to find out more information about caving at this chasm. If you’re keen on other nearby caving opportunities, check out Pen-y-ghent Pot.
• Don’t even think about it: Hull Pot swimming. That is, swimming in the chasm when it fills with water. It’s an absolute no-no because of obvious dangers and risks.
• Explore other nearby national parks: don’t just stop at the Yorkshire Dales. Head to the captivating Lake District (guides coming soon) or North York Moors National Park.

Read our guides about the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge, Pen-y-ghent, the Ingleborough Walk and the Whernside Walk.