Arant Haw from Sedbergh return via the West Ridge.

Start. Sedbergh. (Howgill Lane).

Route. Sedbergh. (Back Lane) - Howgill Lane - Lockbank Farm - Green Mea - Hobdale Scar - Arant Haw - The West Ridge - Nab - Crosdale - Nursery Wood - Lockbank Farm - Howgill Lane - Sedbergh.

Notes. Today was the start of a Bank Holiday weekend, the sun was shining a magnet to draw the crowds to the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales, me well I went hunting the quiet, I found it in the Howgill Fells. Now I didn’t say the Howgill Fells were quiet but while the walking fraternity was crawling from there beds I was heading up hill to meet the rising sun.

I parked in Sedbergh, laced my boots up, slung my bag over my back then headed for Howgill Lane, it’s easy to find at the west end of Main Street next to the Dalesman Inn. With tarmac under foot I wandered on, passed the football field then some houses, at the top of a short rise the lane to Lockbank Farm greeted me, this I followed between dry stone walls and farmyard buildings before passing through a couple of gates onto the fell side.

I turned left and immediately started hunting for a bridleway on the right, once located I ascended between yellow gorse bushes made even brighter by the morning sun, when the path split I followed the right hand fork. With a superb path under foot I traversed the lower slopes of Winder, but Winder would be where the crowds gather, don’t forget I was aiming for the quiet. This trod gently ascended before swinging north above the chasm of Settlebeck Gill, it continued to the coll at Green Mea where it joined the main trod over the fells.

If there were to be people it would be here, but there weren't, right about now they'd be just leaving the house. I continued alone to the coll above Hobdale Scar, here a path starts traversing the Arant Haw ridge, I traversed with it, sat on the summit cairn contemplating where to go next. The way I saw it if I descend to Winder I’d meet the hordes of people that would most probably be reaching the summit as I did, or go down the West Ridge into guaranteed solitude.

It was a no contest the West Ridge it was, steep in places easier on the knees in others, down I went on the long descent into Crosdale, after traversing Nab the path swung south(ish) then descended into the valley. After clumsily fording Crosdale Beck I let the intake wall guide me back, and a jolly good guide it was depositing me at the entrance to Lockbank Farm, all that remained to re-trace my steps of earlier and grab something to eat in Sedbergh . Unfortunately the place was still asleep, the people of this Dales town must rise late on a Bank Holiday weekend, home then.

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Lockbank Farm backed by the gorse covered lower slopes of Winder.

Early in the walk, stunning views over the Lune valley.

Middleton Fell across Rawthey Dale.

The morning sun paints Baugh Fell.

On a golden morning, striding out on a superb path looking back across the Lune valley to the lesser tops of Owshaw and Firbank Fell.

Magnificent views over the Frostrow Fells, rising in the distance Whernside, to the right Crag Hill, right a bit more the Combe Scar face of the Middleton Fell.

On a beautiful morning views over Sedbergh to the Holme Knott slopes of Middleton Fell.

Enjoying stunning conditions backed by equally stunning views over the valleys of Rawthey Dale and Lunesdale.

Above Settlebeck Gill looking to Green Mea and the steep path up Arant Haw.

A path just trod and what a path, I'll be visiting it again that's for sure.

Breath-taking views from the coll at Green Mea, across the horizon a litany of Lakeland giants.

Viewing Winder from the main trod across these rolling fells.

Across a carpet of wild moorland, Crook backed by Crag Hill and the massive bulk of Middleton Fell.

The spctor of Wild Boar Fell rises from the green fields of Uldale.

Through Ashbeck Gill the sun lit lowlands of Rawthey Dale.

The tentacular ridges of the Howgill Fells.

Alone on the summit of Arant Haw.

From Arant Haw views to Fell Head and Breaks Head.

Ahead the long descent of the West Ridge.

Above Comb viewing the Coniston massif with Crinkle Crags and Bow Fell to the right.

Over Crosdale and the slopes of Winder an astonishing view down the Lune valley.

Closing the head of Crosdale Arant Haw and Green Mea with the West Ridge running out of shot to the left.

Dappled light on Nab and Comb, the West Ridge descent from Arant Haw.

Almost down a quick look to the Frostrow Fells and the dome of Aye Gill Pike.

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