The Lonely Ridge Lines of the Howgill Fells.

Start. Sedbergh.

Route. Sedbergh - Main Street - Joss Lane - Settlebeck Gill - Green Mea - Swere Gill Spring - Rowantree Grains - Calders - Bram Rigg - The Calf - Bram Rigg - Calders - Rowantree Grains - Arant Haw - Green Mea - Winder - Lockbank Farm - Howgill Lane - Sedbergh.

Notes. The Howgill Fells a triangle of rolling summits sandwiched between Sedbergh, Kirkby Stephen and Tebay, the southern hills sit firmly in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. This walk traversed the deserted ridge lines on good paths, a there and back crossing with fine views to the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales. It was old Wainwright, guide book writer extraordinaire who described the Howgill Fells as a “herd of sleeping Elephants”, when you view them from a distance the old chap was right.

My morning started wandering through the deserted streets of Sedbergh, via Main Street followed by Joss Lane I made my way out of town, at the head of Joss Lane a field gate allowed access to green pastures. My chosen route passed Hill Farm before joining the oak and gorse lined banks of Settlebeck Gill, I continued in the company of the gill through the final intake into a lonely world of rolling hillsides and steep climbs, just me, the cry of mountain birds and a cool Howgill wind. The path climbed high above the beck bottom eventually depositing me on Green Mea, the coll between Winder and Arant Haw, the main trod crossing these ridge lines starts here, wide and easy to follow, the map stayed in the bag. North I wandered across the slopes of Arant Haw, above Hobdale Scar before descending to the next coll, Rowantree Grains, the ascent from here to Calders was steep, a real leg burner.

After topping out on Calders I crossed Bram Rigg before descending to the head of Force Gill, one of the beck's feeding Cautley Spout, you could descend from here, a superb path drops in the company of the waterfall, the highest single drop fall above ground in England. I opted to continue to The Calf, the highest ground in the Howgill Fells, it had been a hard slog to get here, enjoyable and rewarding, I slumped down on the summit, had a brew and something to eat. After mulling over the map I decided to re-trace my steps with a couple of diversions thrown in, so had it all do again.

Fighting the temptation to descend via Cautley Spout I ascended Bram Rigg followed by Calders, traversed Rowantree Grains then climbed to the north end of the Arant Haw ridge, this I crossed to reach the summit. The hills had been mine to explore alone all morning, the descent from Arant Haw ended my solitude, the crowds were on the hill. After descending to Green Mea I continued to Winder the final summit of the day. Descending Winder's west ridge I reflected on a day of solitude, superb mountain views and wonderful walking. The main trod west guided me off the hill, at a sharp right turn I continued straight on eventually descending to Lockbank Farm, after wandering through the farm yard I stepped into Howgill Lane, this in turn guided me back into the quiet streets of Sedbergh.

view route map.

home.

Crag Hill and the Middleton Fells seen over the low boggy ridge of the Frostrow Fells.

Above Settlebeck Gill soaking up views across Rawthey Dale into Garsdale, dominating the scene the massive bulk of Baugh Fell.

Ascending to Green Mea with this view behind me, a triptych of Yorkshire favourites, Whernside, Crag Hill and Middleton Fell.

Over Green Mea, Winder.

Rising through the murk, the flat topped Wild Boar Fell with Swarth Fell to the right.

As seen over Rowantree Grains, Calders.

Misty views over the valley of the River Rawthey, through the gloom Baugh Fell.

Wainwright's sleeping Elephants, the Howgill Fells.

Near the summit of Bram Rigg drinking in views across Lunesdale, melting into the murk the Morecambe Bay coast.

The Calf the highest ground on the Howgill Fells.

There are wonderful views to be had from these rolling ridge lines, the ridges of Brant Fell, Bram Rigg and White Fell Head with the Shap Fell melting into the haze.

The summit Calders.

Dropping down to Rowantree Grains taking in views over Sickers Fell to Aye Gill Pike backed by Whernside, just visible in the gap Ingleborough and finally Crag Hill.

Magical views over the many ridge lines, in the distance the scree and heather of Uldale Head, all on view from the north end of the Arant Haw ridge.

This small cairn marks the summit of Arant Haw.

Viewing the Middleton Fells from the steep descent from Arant Haw..

Stretching to the south the wide boggy ridge leading to Crook, across the skyline dominating the view Whernside, Crag Hill and Middleton Fell.

Wonderful views from the summit of Winder, over the Lune valley and the Kent valley the estuary at Arnside, the tarn to the right is Killington Lake.

The summit Winder.

In sunlight and shade Whernside and Crag Hill.

Tucked away in the folds of the hills the market town of Sedbergh.

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