Sedbergh and Winder.

Start. Sedbergh.

Route. Sedbergh - Joss Lane - Hill - Settlebeck Gill - Green Mea - Winder - Howgill Lane - Nursery Wood - Lockbank - Sedbergh.

Notes. Winder is Sedbergh’s local hill, beyond lies the sprawling bulk of the Howgill Fells, beautiful and bleak, quiet and hidden an area where you can walk for hours without meeting a soul. Today I managed just Winder with it’s wonderful views across the Howgill Fells, and over the Lune valley to the Lake District and Morecambe Bay. I expected to meet other walkers on this short round, Winder is possibly the most popular hill in the massif, but never set sight on a soul.

Today was a proper winters day, the ground was frozen, there was ice on the paths and a biting wind blowing out of the north, snow was forecast but I never saw any. Joss Lane guided me out of Sedbergh, when tarmac ended a rough track guided me passed Hill Farm to a stile allowing access to a path ascending next to Settlebeck Gill, this in turn lead to the final intake wall and a kissing gate accessing the fell side.

The climbing continued, with Settlebeck Gill to my right, the steep slopes of Winder on my left I slowly ascended to the coll at Green Mea. The wind had been cold ascending now with it ripping across the coll and ridge line it was well below zero, too cold to hang around. I immediately turned to follow the wide green trod to the summit of Winder, where I again refused to stop.

I descended to the west, a good path under foot, with no escaping the icy cold blast I made haste, ignoring a path on the left I’d normally follow, descending straight to the intake wall. From the wall a narrow stoney lane ushered me to Howgill Lane, with tarmac under foot, dry stone walls and hedge rows to guide me I wandered slowly back into Sedbergh.

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home.

Swarth Fell seen over sheep pastures from just below the final intake wall.

Over the Rowthey valley the massive bulk of Baugh Fell.

High above Settlebeck Gill viewing Whernside, Crag Hill and Middleton Fell with Aye Gill Pike and the Frostrow Fells in the middle distance.

Aye Gill Pike and Rise Hill seen over deep cut Settlebeck Gill.

View taken down Settlebeck Gill.

Looking over Rawthey Dale taking in Middleton Fell and the much lower Frostrow Fells.

From the coll at Green Mea views to the twin tops of Crook.

With a cold wind behind me and a green trod in front I stopped to enjoy the view to Whernside and Crag Hill.

On the path to Winder, you can't quite see the summit from here.

On the approach to Winder summit looking to Grayrigg Pike and Whinfell Beacon with the hills of Lakeland stretched across the horizon.

Soaking up the view to cloud capped Lakeland fells.

Seen over Sickers Fell and the ridge leading to Crook the flat top of Wild Boar Fell and Swarth Fell.

Near the summit of Winder taking in stunning views to the east, from left to right, Rise Hill and the ridge leading to Aye Gill Pike, mighty Whernside the highest of Yorkshires many hills, Crag Hill above Dent and the bulk of Middleton Fell.

The summit of Winder with stunning views over Lunesdale and Kentdale as far as the salt water of Morecambe Bay.

Across the far horizon the Coniston massif.

Viewing the Lune Gorge from the slopes of Winder.

Wonderful views over a patchwork of green fields, dry stone walls and tiny farms that make up a small slice of Lunesdale.

On an easy descent stopping to drink in views over the mouths of Rawthey Dale and Dentdale, dominating the scene Middleton Fell.

Between the dry stone walls of a stoney track, descending to Howgill Lane.

White Fell Head kissed by cloud.

Autumn in Nursery Wood.

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