Crag Hill from Dent.
Start. Dent.
Route. Dent - Flinter Gill - Occupation Road - Megger Stones - Little Combe - Crag End - Great Coum - Crag Hill - Richard Man - Great Aygill - Barbondale - Blindbeck Bridge - Occupation Road - Flinter Gill - Dent.
Notes. Rising to the south of Dent, dominating the high ground between Kingsdale and Barbondale, High Crag presents a formidable obstacle. It's northern slopes rising from Dentdale a fearsome mire, tussock grass and sphagnum moss make for difficult walking. Names like Black Hole and Stinking Holes, Holme Moss and Bill Varry's Moss, Sappy Moss all tell a story of wet feet and aching limbs, steep ground guards the 2237ft summit, a summit well earned. If you prefer the quiet you'll love it for this hill is seldom frequented, the paths are faint but navigation is easy, exactly what the doctor ordered on a day of mist, fleeting shadows and scudding cloud.
My day started on the steep ascent of Flinter Gill, this stoney bridleway guided me uphill passed the dancing stones and wishing tree, a little higher I passed a restored lime kiln, once clear of the tree line a fine view finder rests atop a low rise to the right, gifting the lucky hill walker with splendid views over Dent and it's dale. A little further up the hill I joined the Occupation Road. the name derives from the war years, the army used this old drove road for tank training. I turned left, strolling south-east confined by dry stone walls, half a mile of easy walking followed before a field gate marked the start of the next section of ascent. With a wall to guide me I headed up hill, soft ground made the going tiring, on reaching a wall corner I headed towards the Megger Stones now visible, the view from this cluster of cairns is stunning, I sat a while absorbing the scene, in truth I was gilding the loins before continuing my ascent. Faint paths guided me in a southerly direction, bog hopping was the order of the day, I reached a dry stone wall, my guide to the summit of Great Coum, the steep leg burning ascent of Crag End took it's toll, I reached the summit ridge with aching legs and burning lungs.
With another wall to guide me I headed towards Crag Hill, easy walking all the way to the summit. From the trig point my route descended to the south, a fence line to guide me. Passed Richard Man (pile of stones), over Little Aygill Head, between long abandoned coal pits, descending between the gills of Great Aygill and Hazel Sike. On reaching the confluence of the two gills I plunged into the deep ravine cut by Great Aygill, a couple of lime kilns welcomed me. After ascending the other bank a dry stone wall lead to a stile and gate allowing access to the bridleway leading to Bull Pot Farm, I turned right away from the farm descending into Barbondale. Now normally I wouldn't opt for a road walk but it was a week day, Barbondale was quiet and it is a single track road. Over two miles of road walking followed, more than I would have liked, but the scenery was exquisite, it was almost a shame to step back onto the Occupation Road for the final two miles back to Dent.
Seen from the bottom of Flinter Gill the steep slopes of Aye Gill Pike.
Free of the tree line gifted with views to a sunny Helms Knott backed by the Howgill Fells.
Rising above Barbondale, kissed by cloud Barkin Top.
Flinter Gill with stunning views to the Howgill Fells.
Striding out along the Occupation Road.
Wonderful views over Dentdale, dominating the scene Great Knoutberry Hill.
The Megger Stones with views to Whernside.
The way ahead, looking to cloud capped Great Coum.
Whernside over Kingsdale, as seen from the steep slopes of Crag End.
Across the summit of Great Coum, cloud bubbles up from the coll between Kingsdale and Deepdale obscuring the view to Whernside.
The Grey Scar face of Crag Hill with a dry stone wall to guide me.
A hazy view under the cloud base, the vast expanse of the Ribble Valley.
A Howgill skyline seen over the shadowed slopes of Combe Scar.
As seen from near Richard Man, in sunlight and shade Castle Knott.
Looking over Barbondale to the long ridge leading over Calf Top, Barking top and Combe Top.
Barbon Low Fell seen from near the coal pits on Barbon High Fell.
Lime Kilns on the banks of Little Aygill, probably the reason for coal pits higher up the fell side.
The sylvan grounds of barbon manor.
Bluebells above Blindbeck, the woodland plant tells a tale of a beck who's banks were once tree-clad.
Barbondale Beck.
The grey ribbon that cuts it's way through this beautiful dale.
The Howgill Fells seen over little Stone Rigg.
The deep cut gill of High Lathe drains the mosses that guard High Crag, the single arched bridge, one of two along the Occupation Road tell a story, this old lane was once a lot more important than it is today.
Just before the descent of Flinter Gill a stunning view to the Howgill Fells.