Arant Haw and Winder above Sedbergh.
Start. Sedbergh.
Route. Sedbergh (Back Lane) - Main Street - Joss Lane - Settlebeck Gill - Hobdale Scar - Arant Haw - Winder - Lockbank Farm - Howgill Lane - Main Street - Sedbergh (Back Lane).
Notes. This was a small slice of a longer walk I'd planned for this afternoon, I had intended to summit The Calf the highest ground in the Howgill Fells, followed by a march back the way I came before traversing Arant Haw and Winder, truth is it was too bloody hot. The Settlebeck Gill ascent took ages, sheltered from the breeze it felt like walking in an oven, with sweat running into my eyes I blindly stumbled onto the coll above Green Mea my mind already made up, shorten today’s route.
I once heard the Howgill Fells described as the forgotten hills, in truth they are, on a beautiful day like today I had them more or less to myself, a party of school children, one fell runner and lots of sheep, oh I nearly forgot flying ants, tens of millions of them massing for the largest one night stand in the UK. The recent warm muggy days have created perfect conditions for their annual mating ritual, the ground was alive under my feet, tonight they would be air born, millions upon millions of the little blighter's
I parked on Back Lane the main road through Sedbergh, after making my way to Main Street I ascended Joss Lane passing the main car park before the lane swung right to vanish between dry stone walls. A farm gate allowed access to Settlebeck Gill, my ascent hardly under way it was already obvious this was going to be a long hot climb, photography took on a new meaning, a good excuse to stop for a breather, there were lots of breathless views on today’s ascent, I stumbled onto the coll between Arant Haw and Winder a shorter route already in mind. Now ascending the main path the climb considerably easier I made good progress, once above Hobdale Scar a faint path swung left leading onto the Arant Haw ridge. On the summit I was welcomed by the late afternoon breeze, I sat down on a comfy tuft of grass to soak up the views, while the shadows got longer I watched the sun sink closer to the horizon. Eventually picking myself up before descending to the main trod from where it was a short climb to the trig point marking the summit of Winder, another place to hang around and drink in stunning views, views made all the more interesting with a view indicater to point me in the right direction. With night creeping over my shoulder I made my descent, south-west on a wonderful green trod, when the path swung south the farm buildings of Lockbank Farm guided me down, a short stroll down the farm lane saw me step into Howgill Lane, with tarmac under foot all that remained was the short walk back into the town centre.
Looking to Crook from the banks of Settlebeck Gill.
Seen from high above Settlebeck Gill Helms Knott over Rawthey Dale, with the Middleton Fells, Crag Hill and mighty Whernside across the skyline.
Views down Settlebeck Gill one of many deep cut gills in the Howgill Fells.
Stunning views from the lower slopes of Arant Haw taking in Winder and a distant Killington Lake.
Seen from the main path traversing the head of Settlebeck Gill, a group of walkers head for the summit of Winder.
Across the skyline to the north, Wild Boar Fell and Swarth Fell, better recognized and usually ascended from Mallerstang.
Views taken from above Hobdale Scar, the shadowed slopes of Crook tumble into Ashbeck Gill, backed by the Middleton Fells.
Seen over the lesser tops of Sickers Fell and Knott the bulk of Baugh Fell rises from the valley of the River Rawthey.
Calders and Bram Rigg looking rather imposing across Rowantree Grains.
Adventures for another day, the ridges leading to Bram Rigg Top, White Fell and Fell Head.
Heading along the Arant Haw summit ridge, looking back to Calders.
Calders as seen from the summit of Arant Haw.
Enjoying the late afternoon breeze viewing Winder over Crosdale.
Shining levels and wonderful late afternoon light make all the pain and effort getting here well worth while.
Sparkling like a diamond through the heat haze Killington Lake, better known to motorists on the M6, a place to fill your tank and have a cuppa.
Seen from my perch above Crosdale, Crook backed by the Barbondale skyline.
Back on the main path looking to the twin summits of Crook with Baugh Fell dominating the horizon.
A trig point and view indicator mark the summit of Winder, with views to the steep slopes of Arant Haw.
One of the wonderful views from the summit of Winder, to the left Garsdale sandwiched between the slopes of Baugh Fell and Aye Gill Pike, with Dentdale in the shadow of Whernside, Crag Hill and the Middleton Fells to the right.
The sleepy market town of Sedbergh nestles in the valley of the River Rawthey.
Descending to Lockbank Farm with long shadows over the fields and hazy views to the Middleton Fells for company.
A final view, looking down on Lockbank Farm with Sedbergh in the valley bottom.