8:00 start with 16:30 return
11 miles (18km) with 3450ft (1050m) Total Ascent
Situated between the rugged mountains of the Lake District to the west and the rolling expanse of the Pennines to the east, the Howgill Fells form a compact group of steep-sided, rounded hills. The highest summits lie towards the centre of an extensive upland plateau from which ridges radiate in all directions.
From Sedbergh, we head in a north-easterly direction up the increasingly wild glen of the River Rawthey to Cautley Holme, where the steep slopes of Ben End await. The ridge walk to Yarlside (639m/2,096ft) is short and then it´s straight down into the deep trench of Bowderdale before a further climb takes us up to The Calf (676m/2,219ft). We return to Sedbergh by way of Calders and Arant Haw.
10 miles (16km) with 2300ft (701m) Total Ascent
Todays walk is a strenuous B+ but worth it for the fell top views.
Starting in Sedbergh we head for Cautley passing Hollin Hill, Thursgill and Fawcett Bank with the River Rawthey below on our right. After crossing the footbridge over Cautley Beck we head up towards Cautley Spout waterfall. The path becomes increasingly steep and there are good views of the falls especially after rain.
At the top of the falls we follow Red Gill Beck and pass a sheep fold which has been renovated by the artist Andy Goldsworthy. Continuing to climb we now follow Force Gill Beck until we meet the main fell top path. If time and weather conditions permit we can turn right and walk the short distance up to The Calf which at 676m is the highest point in the Howgill Fells with superb panoramic views.
We then return down the path and continue over Bram Rigg Top to Calders and down Rowantree Grains before joining the Dales High Way dropping back down into Sedbergh.
7½ miles (12km) with 800ft (244m) Total Ascent
Leaving the town we immediately climb up to Castle Haw, an 11th century motte and bailey castle. Having inspected the mound, we descend and pick up a path heading east past Underbank, Stone Hall, Hollin Hall, Ellerthwaite and Buckbank. From there we proceed to the banks of the River Rawthey, which we follow south west via Straight Bridge and New Bridge to the hamlet of Millthrop.
At this point we join the Dales Way and climb up to the top of Moser Hill. We then leave the Dales Way and descend to Rash Bridge which spans the River Dee. Following the Dee north westwards we eventually come to Abbot Holme Bridge. We cross this and a golf course to reach Birks, near the confluence of the Dee and Rawthey. We then follow the Rawthey again before leaving it to head north east , past the Sedbergh School buildings and playing fields, back into Sedbergh.
6.4 miles (10.8km) with 550ft (168m) Total Ascent
Setting off from the coach park in Sedbergh (toilets available) we have a road walk along Howgill Lane to begin. We then drop down, on field paths, to Underwinder then up to Ash-Hining. That is most of our climbing for the day over with. We walk down to Low Braithwaite and along to the River Lune where we join the Dales Way. We follow the Lune southwards before gradually turning eastwards along the River Rawthey, eventually leaving the river to climb back into Sedbergh through Sedbergh School grounds.