Rainwashed Winder.

Start. Sedbergh (Howgill Lane).

Route. Sedbergh (Howgill Lane) - Lockbank Farm - Nursery Wood - Winder - Green Mea - Settlebeck Gill - Sedbergh (Joss Lane) - Fairholme - Howgill Lane.

Notes. At a mere 1551ft Winder is one of the lowest tops in the triangle of the Howgill Fells, being the southern most hill it does gift the lucky pilgrim excellent views. To the north and south the vast tract of the Lune Valley, across the horizon to the west the southern hills of the Lake District and, east accommodating the market town of Sedbergh Rawtheydale, beyond Dentdale and Garsdale. Alas, on a day like today with rain washing the tops, apart from the walk in we got to see bugger all.

We parked in Howgill Lane next to the Recreation Ground, once our boots were laced and the car locked we wandered west to gain access to the drive ascending to Lockbank Farm, through the farm yard we walked, two gates allowed access to the steep slopes of Winder, but we weren't climbing just yet. A green trod and the intake wall ushered us west before swinging north, on reaching a bridleway ascending from Howgill Lane we turned up the hill.

With another green trod under foot we ascended Winder's west ridge into fast dissolving views, to all points of the compass rain showers washed the landscape, we continued up into grey emulsion, thick cloud and heavy rain. The summit greeted us with a trig point and view indicator, we could have been anywhere but we were atop Winder.

Needless to say we didn’t hang around, the main path descended to Green Mea where we joined the Dales High Way descending in the company of Settlebeck Gill. It was ages before we dropped under the cloud base, the views that greeted us were sombre, a misty vision of the Rawthey Valley. We continued down hill, after passing through a metal kissing gate we reached Hill, there we joined a track, the track terminated at Joss Lane, Joss Lane in turn guided us to Fairholme, Fairholme lead through a small housing estate to Howgill Lane, leaving us with a short walk west to the parked car.

view route map.

home.

Hazy views over Lockbank Farm.

Above the final intake viewing the Frostrow Fells with Aye Gill Pike rising to the far left.

Stunning views over the mouth of the Rawthey Valley into Lunesdale

Looking back to the Frostrow Fells with Middleton Fell rising to the right above Dentdale.

Over a patchwork of fields under cloud Middleton Fell.

Sue climbs through a carped of Bracken towards Nursery Wood.

Ascending Winder enjoying stunning views over Lunesdale to the Lune Gorge.

Ascending Winder's west ridge looking back across the Lune Valley to Firbank Fell and Owshaw Hill.

Toiling up Winder viewing rainwashed Middleton Fell.

Under leadened skies Bram Rigg.

Laying under a dark cloud the Lune Valley.

The summit Winder, a trig point, view indicator and Sue, apart from sheep and rain nothing else.

Showers sweeping down Settlebeck Gill.

Draining the mires above Settlebeck Gill.

On the final leg of the descent dropping in to Sedbergh.

Near Hill viewing the Middleton Fells.

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