THE HOWGILL FELLS, CUMBRIA

by Alberto Riveros
3 years ago
Near Firbank, GB

23 views

ULTIMATE WEEKEND - THE HOWGILL FELLS, CUMBRIA
With three classic walks from the door of an historic 17th century Cumbrian inn, there’s lots to like about this three-dayer.
SD698969 Your walk start by the historic Cross Keys Inn, from where the mile-long sweep of Cautley Crag will grab your attention. You’ll also spot Cautley Spout as it tumbles 200m down a long shady ravine and this route climbs past the falls on the way up the The Calf – the highest summit in the Howgills. Cross the footbridge next to the inn and turn left on a good path up the broad glacial valley. Keep above the right-hand side of the beck and continue steeply uphill on a zigzag path up the side of the Spout, with several opportunities to peer into the narrow gorge.

SD680975 The path turns left at the top, crosses Swere Gill and continues along the west bank of Red Gill Beck. Make sure you turn round for a fine framed view of Yarlside – that’s one of tomorrow’s hills – and after 500m there’s an eye-catching sheepfold on the far side of the beck. This was restored by sculptor Andy Goldsworthy as part of a local project following the foot-and-mouth outbreak in 2001. The path continues ahead alongside Force Gill Beck and climbs up the valley to meet a wide path on a flat col. Turn right for 350m to reach the trig point on The Calf.

SD667970 Re-trace your steps to the col and continue south over Bram Rigg Top to the cairn on Calders, just two metres lower than The Calf. Turn east to follow a fence for 350m and continue ahead when this turns south over the slopes of Middle Tongue. Continue for 700m to the tiny cairn at the top of plateau-like Great Dummacks. Turn north to enjoy the walk along the crest of Cautley Crag with fine views across the northern Howgills and east to Wild Boar Fell. A rough path, gradually descending, follows the top of the crags – follow this for around 500m.

SD678968 Turn round and return to Great Dummacks. Leave the top in a south-south-east direction and follow the long spur above the east side of Grimes Gill. After 1.5km, head left
at Fawcett Bank Rigg towards the corner of a wall and continue downhill, across a steep area with scrubby trees, to meet a bridleway above the west bank of the River Rawthey.

SD688946 Turn left, cross a footbridge after 2.4km, then go right to return to the bridge by the Cross Keys Inn.


PLEASE NOTE: The GPX trace on this route is for use as a guide only, its accuracy may change depending on the scale of map you are using. Use in combination with judgement and a paper map. We have taken all reasonable steps to ensure these walks are safe and correctly described. However things do change and all outdoor activities involve a degree of risk. The publishers accept no responsibility for any errors or omissions or for any injuries or accidents that occur whilst following this walk.