Walking Britain Howgills Walk
The Calf from Sedbergh
Walk Route Description
Click thumbnails for larger images.
The Howgill Fells to the east of the M6 motorway provide superb walking. Seeing few walkers, the grassy paths offer a superb promenade from which to view the surrounding countryside. One warning - care must be exercised as the complex structure of ridges and valleys can be very confusing when visibility is poor. Apart from that head off into the Howgills and you will be surprised why more people aren't enjoying the experience!
Parking is available in the small town of Sedbergh (the one at grid ref. SD657919 is probably best). From here head out along Howgill Lane, passing playing fields and a small housing estate on your left to reach a footpath sign pointing up through Lockbank Farm, which gives quick and easy access to the Fells.
Turn left along the intake wall for a short way climbing steeply on grass before taking a clear path that climbs gradually across the fellside in a northeasterly direction. This leads with ever improving views over Garsdale and Dentdale to the col between Arant Haw and Winder. Reaching the col turn sharp left and follow the clear path to the summit of Winder. The views west are superb including the Lune Valley, the Shap Fells and the Lake District Fells.
Retrace your route back to the col and begin the climb to the summit of Arant Haw. Ignore the path making a direct assault on the summit opting instead to follow the path that climbs more steadily across the southern flanks. Easily graded this route leads to Rowantree Grains where the onward route comes into view with a steep climb to the top of Calders.
Continue over Calders and Bram Rigg Top to reach the highest point of the Howgills - The Calf. It is worth wandering north a few hundred metres to enjoy the northern Howgills with the long deep valleys so typical of the area before retracing your steps to Rowantree Grains. Stay with the ridge here to easily reach the summit of Arant Haw.
Leaving the last summit of the day it is important you select the correct route. Head due west off the summit to pick up a grassy path that descends easily to Crosdale Beck. At times the path feint but the descent is easy and straightforward. Cross Crosdale Beck and head south with the intake wall to your right. This leads you back to Lockbank Farm and the road back to Sedbergh.
Please maintain social distancing - keep at least 2 metres away from other walkers.
Maps | |||
| Ordnance Survey Explorer OL19 | Sheet Map | 1:25k | BUY |
| Anquet OS Explorer OL19 | Digital Map | 1:25k | BUY |
| Ordnance Survey Landranger 98 | Sheet Map | 1:50k | BUY |
| Anquet OS Landranger 98 | Digital Map | 1:50k | BUY |
It is recommended you take a map. The preferred scale is 1:25k. | |||
GPS files - right click or option-click the button and choose "Save As..." to download this file.
Recommended Books & eBooks
Outdoor Adventures with Children - Lake District
Guidebook to 40 outdoor adventures in the Lake District with children under 12, including walking, cycling, orienteering, paddling, boating, hostelling and more. Graded activities for varying age ranges or for families with children of different ages.
More information
Walking in Cumbria's Eden Valley
Guidebook to 30 graded walks in Cumbria's Eden Valley. The routes, which range from 3 to 15 miles and are best from bases such as Kirkby Stephen and Appleby, explore the region's diverse landscapes and offer dramatic views, either of the Pennines, Lake District or the Scottish hills. Linear routes link with the Settle-Carlisle railway.
More information
Outdoor Photography
This practical handbook covers digital outdoor photography and the whole range of outdoor activities including walking, running, cycling, water sports (in and on the water), as participant or spectator. Covers basic concepts, equipment and processing and optimising your images back at base.
More information
