Winder and Crook.

Start. Sedbergh.

Route. Sedbergh - Dalesman Country Inn - Howgill Lane - Lockbank Farm - Nursery Wood - Winder - Green Mea - Crook - Soolbank - Settlebeck Gill - Hill - Sedbergh - Joss Lane - Main Street - Dalesman County Inn.

Notes. I hadn’t much time today but felt the need to muddy my boots, so muddy them I did in the Howgill Fells, a short drive from home. The fells form a rough triangle between Sedbergh, Kirkby Stephen and Tebay, the southern most point being Winder, not the highest but it’s position makes it the most prominent, a perfect introduction for the Howgill virgin. When you’ve bagged Winder wander over to Crook, not as prominent but you won’t feel cheated.

For want of the best place to start this walk I opted for the Dalesman Inn, you’ll find it at the west end of Main Street next to Howgill Lane, which is handy as Howgill Lane guided me out of Sedbergh. Passed Sedbergh People’s Hall and recreation ground I wandered, it was gloomy and raining but the weather gods had promised a dry day. Once at the approach road to Lockbank Farm I ascended passing between farm buildings to access the open fell.

I wandered west a good path under foot, the final intake wall my companion. A number of paths climb the fell from this trod, all will convey you to the summit, all are steep, just before Nursery Wood at Grid 647 928 a path ascends the hills south ridge, this I climbed. Steep, a real leg burner, each time my lungs felt like exploding I stopped, took photos then continued.

Slowly the trig point tilted into view, the cold mountain wind grew stronger, I crested the summit into stunning views. West the fells of South Lakeland bathed in sunshine, the limestone hills of the Dales cloaked in cloud, I turned to walk towards the gloom. Unless the heavens opened my next port of call was to be the twin summits of Crook, visible across the deep cut ravine of Settlebeck Gill. A good path ushered me from Winder, once on the coll at Green Mea I stepped onto a fainter trod cutting across the head of Settlebeck Gill, this in turn guided me dry shod across boggy ground and wild wind swepped moorland to the twin tops of Crook.

The hill may be called Crook but you won’t feel cheated, the views are quite staggering and, for my delectation a wonderful light show, the sun finally cutting through the cloud base. I hung around watching the drama unfold until the cold started to bite. Leaving the summit a narrow green trod under foot, I descended towards Settlebeck Gill, the path cut over Soolbank before swinging left above the water filled ravine, in no time at all I found myself fording the gill to join a path descending into Sedbergh. This path followed the oak and gorse lined west bank of Settlebeck Gill, passed Hill farm and a barn conversion (under construction), terminating at a field gate allowing access to Joss Lane, all that remained, a short stroll between the houses on Joss Lane followed by a short walk along Main Street.

view route map.

home.

Early morning in the market town of Sedbergh.

The Lune valley seen from the steep ascent of Winder's south ridge.

The desolate slopes of Winder looking west towards the hills of South Lakeland and the Irish Sea Coast, all veiled in a blanket of cloud.

Stunning views across the valley of the River Rawthey, Aye Gill Pike backed by a cloud capped Whernside and Crag Hill.

Taking a breather near the summit of Winder looking to the bulk of Middleton Fell.

Above Rawthey Dale watching rain wash the valley of Garsdale.

Enjoying the ambience and breath-taking views on the summit of Winder.

Painted by sunlight the Coniston massif.

Amazing views such as this to Morecambe Bay and the Irish Sea Coast greet the lucky walker on the summit of Winder.

A narrow trod over a wild mattress of ragged moorland guides me to the twin tops of Crook.

Dark against a bright sky Winder, as seen from the summit of Crook.

A wonderful play of light witnessed from the summit of Crook.

Across the divide of Ashbeck Gill Sickers Fell.

Watching the drama unfold from Crook, looking to Aye Gill Pike and the lower Frostrow Fells.

Translucent rays across Rawthey Dale.

The incredible view towards Aye Gill Pike from Crook.

Arant Haw as seen from Crook.

The rolling tops of the Howgill Fells, Sickers Fell and Knott.

Letting the hills work their magic, still on Crook, if this was in the theatre it would be the dress circle.

Golden light on Winder as seen from Crook.

Above Settlebeck Gill looking down on the market town of Sedbergh.

Dwarfed by the landscape, the tiny finger above Settlebeck Gill.

Sunburst over Dentdale.

The bewitching beauty of the Yorkshire Dales, in the spotlight Aye Gill Pike.

Sun lit lowlands.

back to top

back to list