Fell End Clouds near Kirkby Stephen County/Area - Cumbria 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 Fell. 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 Fells and northern slopes of Baugh Fell which lies above Dentdale. 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 Sedbergh 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 Wild Boar Fell. Turn right (southwest) along the ridge aiming for a large prominent cairn. Across the valley to your right lie the Howgill Fells with Harter Fell 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 Cautley Spout from Cross Keys National Park - Yorkshire Dales - 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 River Rawthey 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 Yarlside. 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 England 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 & The Calf 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.