A Traverse of the Frostrow Fells.

Start. Sedbergh.

Route. Sedbergh - Vicarage Lane - New Bridge - Straight Bridge - The Row - A684 - Lane Ends - Frostrow Lane - Frostrow - Long Moor - Hunder Moor Hurrock - Frostrow Fells - Long Rigg - Burton Hill - Riggs - Dales Way - Millthrop - Millthrop Bridge - Dent Road - Vicarage Lane - Sedbergh.

Notes. Today I found myself in the shadow of the Howgill Fells, in the streets of the ancient market town of Sedbergh. With a half day to spare I turned my back on said fells as good as they are, across the valley not nearly as high and no where near as strenuous rises the Frostrow Fells. Wild unspoiled moorland, wet in places, blanket bog in others, a long ridge reaching west from Aye Gill Pike. A couple of paths cross this wild empty tract of land, ancient routes linking Sedbergh to Dent, slightly dryer than their surroundings. One of these I ascended returning in the company of a dry stone wall running along the apex of the ridge.

Leaving Sedbergh I followed Vicarage Lane along side some playing fields then passed Settlebeck School, from the school a narrow path ushering me passed more playing fields and tennis courts, the path terminated at New Bridge carrying the main road to Hawes across the River Rawthey. I crossed said road to join the banks of the river, the delightful stretch of riverside rambling that followed guided me to the next bridge, Straight Bridge, here I crossed the river to access a narrow lane running between hedge rows and dry stone walls

The lane in turn guided me to The Row, a terrace of mill workers cottages probably built to house the workforce of Fairfield Mill, a lane allows access to the mill now a very good craft centre with excellent cafe, it was to early for lunch so I continued. Passed the front of the cottages I wandered, the lane ended here to be replaced by an excellent footpath, this guided me to the busy A684 last seen at New Bridge.

A few yards of road walking followed before exiting the busy road down the first lane on the left, this guided me to Lane End and the start of the climb to Frostrow. Passed Bank Farm and Low Hollins I ascended, on reaching Side Farm the lane abruptly ended to be replaced by a stoney track, at the next gate (a few yards further on) a ladder stile allowed access to the open fell side.

Green paths then guided me above Holebeck Gill, the odd wet bits were easily bypassed, soon the wall running along the ridge tilted into view. Over the wall stunning views into Dentdale but my route followed the wall west, towards the Lune Valley. With the dry stone wall for company and a lovely green trod under foot I strolled on, over Long Moor to reach Hundred Moor Hurrock, a word of warning. It’s not by accident the path leaves the wall here traversing a slightly higher ridge, stick to the wall you will have to cross horrendous bog, today the ground was frozen, I stuck to the wall.

With a grin on my face I strolled across said bog, the wall then continued guiding me, over Long Rigg I wandered followed by Burton Hill, now descending I reached an old quarry, a few yards further on the Dales Way cut across the shoulder of the hill descending to Millthrop. Once in the village I turned left, tarmac then guided me to Millthrop Bridge where the Dent Road crosses the River Rawthey, I crossed then followed the road to a finger-post promised access to Back Lane or Settlebeck, as the car was parked in Back Lane that was the route for me.

view route map.

home.

The curtain-raiser, Winder above Sedbergh on a stunning morning.

Rising above the valley of the River Rawthey, the rolling summits of Crook, Sickers Fell and Knott.

Seen beyond the tree line the massive bulk of Baugh Fell.

From that tree line in the shot above Winder with Crook to the right.

The River Rawthey as seen from Straight Bridge.

Near The Row looking across frost painted fields to Baugh Fell.

Views to the Frostrow Fells from the lane accessing The Row.

The great sprawling mass of Baugh Fell.

Above the intake wall taking in the view to Winder and the market town of Sedbergh.

Residents of these parts.

Over Rawthey Dale, with a sprinkling of snow across the summit, Great Dummacks.

The trail stretches out in the company of a dry stone wall.

Little Helms Knott seen over Long Moor Moss.

Viewed across a ragged mattress of wild moorland, rising from Dentdale Combe Scar.

On the wild lonely ridge of the Frostrow Fells looking back to Aye Gill Pike.

Viewing Winder and Crook split by the deep chasm of Settlebeck Gill.

Spectacular view from the Frostrow Fells, over Firbank Fell and Lambrigg Fell a snow painted skyline of Lakeland mountains.

Dropping into Dentdale the Holme Knott slopes of Middleton Fell.

Pleasing views back over wild rolling uplands, on the horizon off my route today Aye Gill Pike.

Heading down Burton Hill with views to Sedbergh and the mouth of Rawthey Dale.

Across the divide of Dentdale, Holme Knott.

Sheep pastures above Millthrop.

Spanning the River Rawthey Millthrop Bridge.

Baugh Fell in sunlight and shade.

Near Winder House looking to the skyline and the Frostrow Fells, ground just walked.

back to top

back to list