Another Traverse of the Frostrow Fells.

Start. Sedbergh (Busk Lane).

Route. Sedbergh (Busk Lane) - Loftus Hill - Millthrop Bridge - River Rawthey - New Bridge - Straight Bridge - The Row - Lane Ends - Frostrow Lane - Side Farm - Frostrow - Holebeck Gill - Final Intake Wall (SD 690 901) - Frostrow Fells - Hunder Moor Hurrock - Long Rigg - Burton Hill - Riggs - Archers Hill - Millthrop - Millthrop Bridge - Loftus Hill - Sedbergh (Busk Lane).

Notes. The Frostrow Fell a low boggy ridge rising between Dentdale and Rawthey Dale, a giant tongue reaching out from the much higher Aye Gill Pike almost closing the mouth of Dentdale. At first glance it looks like an empty wilderness, but looks deceive, yes it’s wet in places, its baron but look to your feet before lifting the eye to the appealing views. Sedge, rushes, cotton grass waves in the mountain breeze, in the really wet bits (which we will be avoiding) rafts of sphagnum moss, and all the wildlife that breeds and feeds on them, not so empty now is it. Yes I know I’ve been here recently but this was an off the cuff walk, Sedbergh is only twenty minuets from home and as my wife pointed out, “it looks like your new favourite walking place”, it’s not but it’s up there.

It looked like it was a lot of other peoples favourite place today, all my usual parking places were taken, I eventually parked near the junction of Busk Lane and Loftus Hill opposite Sedbergh School Chapel, this meant a dodgy road walk to the banks of the River Rawthey at Millthrop Bridge. The hairy bit over I wandered north the River Rawthey my companion, passed Chain Dub tree lined banks guided me, passed the weir and on to New Bridge where I crossed the river to join the west bank, still walking north, still guided by tree lined banks I headed towards Straight Bridge. Anything but straight, said bridge carries the Kirkby Stephen road over the river at a sharp S-bend, I crossed to join a narrow tarmac lane leading to The Row. Between hedge rows and dry stone walls I walked, first came Garsdale Bridge over the Clough River followed by The Row a succession of mill workers cottages, I passed said cottages to join a narrow traffic free lane, this in turn guided me to the busy A684, taking great care I briskly wandered to the first junction on the left, another narrow lane, this guided me to Lane Ends then onto Frostrow Lane.

With the tarmac of Frostrow Lane under foot the climbing started, passed a number of converted farm buildings I ascended, the lane ended at a boulder strewn track, this ushered me under mature trees ejecting me onto the open fell. With a green trod to guide me the ascent was effortless, quite straightforward, all too soon the final intake tilted into view, on reaching the wall I turned right. With the wall to my left I wandered west, along the edge of Long Moor Moss I strolled, instead of attempting to cross Hunder Moor Moss I left the wall instead traversing Hunder Moor Hurrock, slightly higher but definitely dryer. After re-joining the wall on Long Rigg it guide me over Burton Hill and Riggs depositing me on the Dales Way above Millthrop.

I descended a stoney lane into the tiny hamlet turning left to join the lane that descended to Millthrop Bridge, after crossing said bridge it was another dodgy road walk back up Loftus Hill, not so quickly this time tired legs refused to be rushed, I soon safely reached Busk Lane and the parked car.

view route map.

home.

Reflections, the River Rawthey.

Tree lined banks guide me, ahead the massive bulk of Baugh Fell.

To the north the Howgill Fells, Crook, Sickers Fell and Knott, are but three.

Sheep slack their thirst on the clear water of the River Rawthey, I'd like to think as soon a I turned my back they'd make a break for sweater pastures on this side of the river.

Crook rising above Rawtheydale.

Ascending through the wilderness of the Frostrow Fells, ahead off route today Aye Gill Pike.

The high tops of the Howgill Fells, to the left Crook leading to the ridge of Arant Haw, across the notch on the skyline Calders, the two tops not so visible are Sickers Fell and Knott.

From the slopes of the Frostrow Fells, across the divide of Dentdale, Combe Scar, to the right green in contrast little Helms Knott.

A wonderful view over the valley of the River Rawthey, green fields backed by the Howgill Fells.

Descending Burton Hill with magical views over the Lune Valley.

The slopes of Winder as seen from Riggs.

Looking back over a route just trod, soaring above Garsdale the mass of Baugh Fell.

Another stunning view over a patch work of green fields backed by soaring peaks.

Sedbergh always in the shadow of Winder.

Looking north to Cautley Crag and some of the Howgill's lesser heights, Wandale Hill and Harter Fell.

Descending the Dales Way.

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