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Home , Aisgill, Baugh Fell, Cautley Spout, Coast to Coast Walk, Howgill Fells, Mallerstang

Fell End Clouds near

County/Area - Author - Lou Johnson Length - 3.0 miles / 4.9 km Ascent - 550 feet / 167 metres Grade - easy Start - OS grid reference NY733005 Lat 54.399262 / Long -2.412767 Postcode CA17 4LL (approx. location only)

This easy walk explores an area of limestone country that adjoins the western slopes of Wild Boar . Besides the immediate interest provided by the limestone outcrops and pavements you get some fine views across the surrounding countryside including the Eden Valley, the Howgill and northern slopes of which lies above .

The start is at grid ref NY734005 where parking is available in an old quarry on the minor road formerly known as "the Street". This minor road is signed Ulldale and Fell End off the A683 to Kirkby Stephen Road. After parking walk towards the main road. On your right there is a stone wall. Leave the minor road just before the wall and follow a track that twists and turns up towards a ridge. In places the track is rather vague but it becomes more obvious as height is gained. The OS Explorer map provides good guidance. As you climb the views improve with the track eventually reaching a col (grid ref. NY742001). Ahead lies rough moorland that forms the western slopes of .

Turn right (southwest) along the ridge aiming for a large prominent cairn. Across the valley to your right lie the with the dominant summit in the foreground. Beyond you can see the hump backed hills that are so typical of the Howgills. There is no clear path along the ridge. However the going is easy and navigation is not a problem. Around you are some fine limestone pavements with the landscape typical of limestone country. Reaching the cairn you can fully appreciate the delights of Fell End Clouds and their wonderful position.

To continue walk towards the large solitary tree that lies south west. Be careful as there is clear evidence of mining activity in this area with some deep trenches cut into the hillside. Reaching the tree continue your descent maintaining a similar direction towards the stone wall ahead. You will soon locate a clear track that heads northwest. Follow this track descending to the minor road passing two fine examples of limestone kilns on your right.

Reaching the minor road, turn right and walk back along this quiet lane back to the start.

Credit : www.walkingbritain.co.uk Fell End Clouds near Kirkby Stephen from Cross Keys

National Park - - Howgill Fells Region - Howgills County/Area - Cumbria Author - Lou Johnson Length - 2.0 miles / 3.3 km Ascent - 200 feet / 61 metres Grade - easy

This short walk offers an introduction to the Howgill Fells and provides a grandstand view of one of the area's outstanding natural features, the waterfall of Cautley Spout. The path is clear and easy to follow and there is no uphill walking. The path is generally well maintained although there may be a few wet patches to cross after heavy rain.

The start is the small parking area on the north side of the A683 Sedbergh to Kirkby Stephen road just east of the Cross Keys Inn. Parking is limited and on a fine day space may be at a premium. The Cross Keys is open most days for refreshments.

After parking descend and cross the on the substantial footbridge. Bear left and take the clear path that leads without any navigational difficulties towards the fells. On your immediate right are the slopes of Ben End which lead steeply up to the summit of . Ahead is the bulk of Great Dummacks Fell with the rocky outcrop of Cautley Crag scarring the hillside. The path bears right and into a vast amphitheatre with the waterfall of Cautley Spout falling in dramatic fashion down a rocky scar. This is the highest cascade waterfall in at over 650 feet in height. Obviously it is at its best after heavy rain.

You pass an information board that details Archaeologists' discoveries with houses and fields of an Iron Age farming community unearthed in the valley. It is likely the inhabitants lived by grazing sheep and cattle and growing a few crops in the tiny enclosures close to their simple stone and timber roundhouses.

Walking towards the base of the falls is worth the effort. There is a path that climbs immediately to the right of the falls. This provides a much closer view but is steep in places and can be slippery underfoot so care is needed.

Credit : www.walkingbritain.co.uk Cautley Spout from Cross Keys Cautley Spout &

National Park - Yorkshire Dales - Howgill Fells Region - Howgills County/Area - Cumbria Author - Lou Johnson Length - 5.5 miles / 8.9 km Ascent - 1990 feet / 603 metres Grade - moderate Start - OS grid reference SD698969 Lat 54.366713 / Long -2.466308 Postcode LA10 5NE (approx. location only)

This is a fairly straightforward excursion into the Howgills including its most dramatic locations combined with a visit to the Calf, which is the highest point in these rounded hills. It does have two sections over open fellside with no clear paths so you do need to be competent at route finding. This is especially true if the visibility is poor as the Howgills are notorious for their complicated ridges and valleys.

The start is in the small lay-by at Cross Keys (grid ref. SD698969) on the A683 Sedbergh to Kirkby Stephen road. The lack of parking must be stressed although this has the advantage that you will see few other walkers for most of the route. From the lay-by take the signed footpath to Cautley Spout. The path descends to a footbridge over the River Rawthey. Cross over and turn left and continue alongside the river for a short way until Cautley Holme Beck comes in from the right. Turn right here and continue on the east side of this stream. The path climbs gently at first with the mile long Cautley Crag an imposing feature on your left. At its northern end you will see Cautley Spout, a dramatic waterfall, which after heavy rain is often spectacular.

The path climbs more steeply and when you get near to the base of the waterfall a decision needs to be made on the route to the Calf. There is a path on the right hand side of Cautley Spout and you can use this to climb steeply onto the fellside above the falls. Reaching the top you follow Swere Gill in a westerly direction to reach the main ridge path. An easier way of reaching the same objective is to continue on the main path until you reach the col above Bowderdale Head. At the highest point of the Col turn left and climb due west up the grass. This will lead you to the main ridge path.

On reaching the main ridge path turn left and this will bring you to the OS trig point at the summit of the Calf. From here the views are superb, especially the complex structure of ridges and valleys that make up the Howgill Fells. Leave the summit on the main path leading south. A short descent and ascent lead to the summit of Bram Rigg Top with a similar switchback taking you onto Calders.

Ignore the main path that leads off this summit in a south-westerly direction to Sedbergh instead turn east and follow the fence, which is on your right. Reaching the end of the fence continue in the same direction to reach the fourth summit of the walk - Great Dummacks. Care is now needed and it is important that you are aware of the potential danger that lies ahead - notably Cautley Crag. It is important that you leave Great Dummacks in a south-easterly direction and you take care not to trend north at least until you have lost some height.

Credit : www.walkingbritain.co.uk Continued overleaf Cautley Spout & The Calf

Continued

The descent is over grass. The fellside is steep and you have a superb view down to the River Rawthey, which lies far below. Once you are sure that you are clear of danger trend left (north) to pick up Pickering Gill, which can then be followed down the fell to reach a walled field near a barn. Here you will pick up the valley path from Sedbergh. Turn left and cross the bridge. You are now on the path used for the outward leg of the route and turning right across the next footbridge you are back at the lay-by.

Credit : www.walkingbritain.co.uk Yarlside from Cross Keys

National Park - Yorkshire Dales - Howgill Fells Region - Howgills County/Area - Cumbria Author - Lou Johnson Length - 4.0 miles / 6.5 km Ascent - 1600 feet / 485 metres Grade - moderate

The Howgill Fells offer some excellent walking. However for this route you need a good sense of direction and map reading skills as some of the walk is across grass with paths either very faint or hard to locate. A copy of the relevant OS 1:25000 Explorer map is also useful. There are also some steep ascents and descents over grass.

The start is the small parking area on the north side of the A683 Sedbergh to Kirkby Stephen road just east of the Cross Keys Inn. Parking is limited and on a fine day space may be at a premium. The Cross Keys is open most days for refreshments.

After parking descend and cross the River Rawthey on the footbridge. After crossing the bridge bear right almost immediately to follow a clear path heading north east. Look out for a derelict sheepfold on the left which is now not much more than a pile of stones. If you reach a ford across a stream you have gone too far and need to retrace your steps. From the sheepfold walk over grass in a north-north-westerly direction to intercept the wall at grid ref. SD694977. So far there is little evidence of a path. Keeping the wall on your right continue uphill climbing steadily across the eastern side of Yarlside. This is the path marked on the OS map.

The path (faint in places) continues under the rockier east side of Yarlside to reach a col (grid ref. SD687989). Ahead is Kensgriff the summit of which can be reached in a few minutes. However it offers little in terms of a view and unless you have a surplus of energy is probably not worth the extra effort.

At the col turn south-west and make you way over grass to the summit of Yarlside. The going is steep if you take the direct line. A better option is to head west to gain the main north ridge before climbing at an easier gradient to the summit. The highest point is obvious and it provides a grandstand view over the Howgills including the Calf which is the highest top in this vicinity. You will also note the complex arrangement of ridges and valleys which make navigation so difficult in the Howgills.

The descent from the summit is steep but generally over grass. Before starting the descent ensure that you have a clear understanding of which direction you need to go. Leaving the summit you have a bird's eye view of Bowderdale Head and shortly afterwards a great view of Cautley Spout also on the left. Initially you need to head just east of south to a small col at 580 metres (grid ref. SD686982). From here trend south east over Ben End towards the footbridge over the River Rawthey taking the easiest line over the grassy hillside.

Credit : www.walkingbritain.co.uk Yarlside from Cross Keys from

County/Area - Cumbria Author - Lou Johnson Length - 2.3 miles / 3.7 km Ascent - 100 feet / 30 metres Grade - easy

This short walk captures some of the flavour of and the upper stretches of the River Eden. To the west lies the familiar shape of Wild Boar Fell with Mallerstang Edge to the east. The landscape in the immediate area is typical of the valley with hamlets and farms dotted across lush fields enclosed by dry stone walls.

The start is the hamlet of Outhgill (grid ref NY783015) where limited parking is available. Please be considerate of local residents and park with care. After parking return to the main B6259 and walk north along this road. Generally traffic is light but still care is needed. After about 450 yards take the signed footpath on the right (grid ref. NY783020). The path, indistinct in places, follows a stream uphill before turning left behind Ing Hill towards Castlethwaite. After crossing two fields you reach a group of cottages. From here take the drive left down to the main road (NY782025).

Turn right along the road. The ruin of Pendragon Castle is on your left. Fork left down a narrow lane and continue downhill and over the River Eden. Take the signed footpath on the left just over the bridge and walk through a number of fields to reach a walled track just before Shoregill (grid ref. NY779014). Continue through Shoregill and cross the River Eden. Once across the bridge take the footpath on the left following the river downstream. This leads through fields to St Mary's Church and the main road (grid ref. NY782014). Turn left down the main road and you are back at the start.

Credit : www.walkingbritain.co.uk Pendragon Castle from Outhgill Wild Boar Fell & from Cotegill Bridge

National Park - Yorkshire Dales - Howgill Fells County/Area - Cumbria Author - Lou Johnson Length - 7.0 miles / 11.4 km Ascent - 1500 feet / 455 metres Grade - moderate

Strangely most of this walk stays outside the boundaries of the Yorkshire Dales National Park even though it feels and looks as though it should not have been excluded by the legislators. The walk starts alongside the Settle and Railway Line which threads its way through the wide valley of Mallerstang. Just to the south of the starting point is Summit, the summit of the railway and the watershed between the River Eden and the easterly flowing River Ure. Limited off-road parking is available near to Cotegill Bridge (grid ref. SD774968) from where there is an excellent view of almost the whole of the walk.

The original route was to cross the railway bridge and head north along the road as far as the railway viaduct opposite Aisgill Farm where a gated track leads under the railway and onto the open fell. However this route is now adorned with a "private" notice on the gate after a new owner has taken control. The route recommended by Neil Spencer reads as follows. "At Cotegill Bridge join the fell through the gate between the quarry and the bridge. I then made my way northwards to join the walk as described at the intake wall. This first part is quite boggy in places but the only real obstacle is Aisgill - very steep sided and too wide to jump at the lower reaches. A detour upstream to just above the magnificent waterfall revealed a reasonably easy crossing place."

Follow the west side of the intake wall north maintaining this direction through the area containing Angerholme Pots even though the wall has veered away to your right. Besides the Pots there are also some fine examples of limestone pavements in this area which may surprise newcomers to the district. Height is gained quite painlessly and you soon reach the main bridle-path crossing east to west across the fell which is followed as far as the broad col on the main ridge of Wild Boar Fell.

After taking in the new view that has opened up across the northern Howgills, turn south following the gritstone edge to the prominent outcrop of the Nab. In view for the full duration of the climb, you can be forgiven to be surprised to learn this is not the summit of Wild Boar Fell but it still provides an excellent place to enjoy the view across Mallerstang to the Fells of Archy Styrigg and Hugh Seat. Heading south-west the true summit lies some distance away across a broad plateau. The summit trig point is protected by a stone windbreak and provides a wide ranging view across the Howgills and much of Cumbria. Not seen from the summit is Sand Tarn which nestles under the western slopes of Wild Boar Fell and worth a diversion if you have time and energy to spare.

Credit : www.walkingbritain.co.uk Continued overleaf Wild Boar Fell & Swarth Fell from Cotegill

Bridge

Continued

Turn south-east and return to the Mallerstang edge to inspect the small gathering of tall cairns that stand like sentinels guarding the fell. From here a clear path takes you in a large sweeping arc, first west along the band and then south to the col that lies between Wild Boar and Swarth Fells. A short steady climb takes you to the summit cairn, although the best views are to be had further east on the craggy face that overlooks Mallerstang.

Follow the main path over Swarth Fell Pike. Ahead and slightly to your right is Grisedale. Once a busy farming community it now has an air of desolation even though some people still live there. Thankfully the dale featured in an excellent TV programme "The Dale that Died" which I think was produced by Yorkshire TV. As you descend from this minor top you need to chose a route roughly north-east descending across rough grass (and occasional bog!) to reach the north bank of Far Cote Gill which is followed back to where you parked your car.

Despite the occasional boggy patch and the need for some navigational skills in poor visibility, this is an ideal walk for those wishing to see what Fell walking is all about. Care is needed when near Angerholme Pots and along the edge but otherwise provided normal precautions are tak- en then no problems should be encountered. However do chose a good day with the cloud off the fells and take along a copy of the 1:25,000 OS Map.

Credit : www.walkingbritain.co.uk Bowderdale Classic (Howgill Fells) Mountain Bike Route

A difficult mountain bike route that takes in both the Yorkshire Dales and Cumbria. Start with a killer climb out of Sedbergh, one which takes you right to the top of The Calf at 676m (2,218ft). It’s tough but once you’re here you can rest assured that the rest of the route is predominantly downhill, and it starts right now with an awesome 6km (4mi) long descent of Bowderdale.

The return legs climbs again but this time nowhere near as much as earlier, you pass between Harter Fell and Knott before descending again on some cracking single track right the way back to Sedbergh, roughly following the River Rawthey. Look out for the wild horses that roam around this area!

As an extra bonus, try and find time to visit Cautley Spout, England’s highest waterfall, as it’s not far off the route but only accessible on foot.

Begin this route in Sedbergh. Once you’re parked up and on the bike, you will need to locate Howgill Lane, it is in between the Dalesman Country Inn and the Happy Valley chinese takeaway. Follow this road out of Sedbergh for about 1km until you reach Lockbank Farm. The road here turns sharply left but you should go right, through the farm. Once through the farm yard, the path opens out onto Winder, meaning the start of the first major climb.

The path goes left before beginning to climb and then curves around to the right. From here it goes around Winder, with Settlebeck Gill down and to your right, and meets up with a clear track on the ridge. Turn right onto this track for even more climbing, up onto Arant Haw. The path, heading NNE now, traverses Rowantree Grains before climbing Little Dummacks. A detour here would get you to the summit of Great Dummacks, if you choose to do this, just take the path to the north-east. If not, then carry on the same trail, heading NNW now to the summit of Bram Rigg Top followed by The Calf.

This is the highest point in the ride, and indeed in the Howgill Fells. It might have been tough getting up here but now you know the rest of the route is predominently downhill. From the summit of The Calf, follow the track north-east, it will soon begin to bear left and shortly after that begin to descend into Bowderdale. This descent is some 6km (4mi) long so enjoy it! Just keep to the obvious track as it descends into the dale, keeping the beck to your right.

After nipping through a few fields, you will find yourself on the road at Bowderdale village. Turn right and follow to the T-junction at Brow Foot farm, turn left here then right again just before going under the bridge. Where the road bends left with a junction on the right, turn right onto Gars Lane. Follow the road when it bends left into the farm yard, and follow right through the yard to pick up the bridleway once again at the other side. In the first field, keep the wall to your left and go through the gate in the corner. In the second field, keep the wall to your right. In the third field, you need to go kind of diagonally over to the left, where there’s a gate. Judging by the number of trails on this field, it looks like a few people have got it wrong. The one you want is the left of these faint trails.

Continue overleaf Bowderdale Classic (Howgill Fells)

Mountain Bike Route

Continued

After the gate, head through the next few fields by keeping along their edges until you reach the village of Weasdale. Get back onto the road here by turning left at the T-junction. Keep to this road for 1km or so to the left-hand bend, ignore the bend and go straight on by taking the junction. Look out for a wooded bridleway sign pointing right after about 500m and go through the gate. Keep following the track through several fields until you meet the road again, turn left onto the road then right at the T-junction and follow the road to .

Make your way through the Ravenstonedale, heading for Town Head. Just after the last house, the road bends left with a junction on the right. Turn right here then take a left at the T-junction and follow this road through the fields and then out onto the moor. The road soon begins to climb back into the fells, keep following it to the end of the road at Adamthwaite Farm. On reaching the farm, ignore the bridleway on the right and take the left-hand track through the farm yard. Look for the the track between walls. Follow this path through several fields as it follows the contours of Wandale Hill.

Eventually you will have arrived at Narthwaite farm. Take a right in the farm yard to get you on a path that curves right through a field before heading into the trees and curving left as it crosses Backside Beck. Follow this clear track until the point where it curves sharply right and heads away from the river. That direction leads up to Cautley Spout, England’s highest waterfall, but alas it’s footpath only. We need to head straight on here and ford the stream, you’re aiming for the gap in the wall at the other side. This track crosses more fields for another 3km (2mi) or so to Thursgill where it becomes road again. This quick descent gets you back to the A683. When you get there, take a right and pedal the last little road section back to Sedbergh.

Credit : www.fattyres.co.uk Points of Interest

Smardale Viaduct The spectacular Smardale Gill viaduct which, 90ft high on fourteen stone arches, crosses the dramatic valley of Scandal Beck a few miles west of Kirkby Stephen. The viaduct has been restored by the Northern Viaduct Trust into its present excellent condition, and a public footpath utilises the viaduct to cross the valley. This can be accessed from near to the old station (NY 741082) where there is also car parking space.

Cautley Spout Cautley Spout is England's highest waterfall above ground. The broken cascade of falls tumbles a total of 650 feet down a cliff face at the head of a wild and bleak glacial valley that comes down from a high plateau called The Calf.

Nine Standard Rigg is the summit of Hartley Fell. The Nine Standards themselves, some of which were originally more than four metres high, are on the line of the between Kirkby Stephen and Keld, and are just to the north of the fell's summit. Situated at a height of 650 m, their original purpose is uncertain but one possibility is that they marked the boundary between Wesmorland and .

Brough Castle Brough Castle is a ruined castle in the village of Brough, Cumbria, England. The castle was built by William Rufus around 1092 within the old Roman fort of Verterae to protect a key route through the Pennine Mountains.