Howgills Walks
The Howgill Fells lie in a splendid position between the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales. There's some excellent walking opportunities with challenging hill climbs, riverside paths and one of the highest waterfalls in the country.
Use the links to view full route information including elevation profiles, interactive maps and GPS downloads.
You can also view an overview map of all the routes in the using the Howgills Walk Map>>
| Route Name | Photo | Distance | Description |
| Brough | 3.4 miles (5.5 km) | This Cumbrian town includes a historic castle, waterside trails along the Swindale Beck and some lovely Eden countryside scenery. View Full Details>> | |
| Cautley Spout | 2.5 miles (4 km) | Cautley Spout is England's highest (cascade) waterfall above ground. It's located near Sedburgh in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. This walk starts at the Cross Keys public house and follows a footpath running alongside the waterfall from Low Haygarth to the top of the spout. It is a steep climb but the footpath is essentially a series of steps so it is quite an easy path to the follow. This is likely to be a very peaceful walk as the area does not attract too many visitors. Ideal if you are looking for some solitude in beautiful surroundings. You could continue your walk by climbing further over the beautiful Howgill Fells where there are magnificent views of the Lake District. Just to the west you will find the highest point of the Howgills at The Calf. You can extend your walk by heading to this great viewpoint and then following the Dales High Way to Sedbergh. If you also use the Pennine Journey long distance trail you can turn it into a longer circular walk. View Full Details>> | |
| Kirkby Stephen River Circular | 3.7 miles (6 km) | This circular walk takes you along a section of the Pennine Journey long distance trail before returning along the River Eden. The small market town of Kirkby Stephen is located in Cumbria, near the border of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. It's surrounded by some lovely countryside, with the rolling hills and the River Eden to admire. The Pennine Journey waymarked trail runs through the area and provides a link to the river for walkers. The walk starts in the centre of the town and heads east along the river towards Frank's Bridge and Hartley Castle. The path turns south and continues towards the village of Nateby where you could pause for refreshments at the nice country pub. Just after Nateby you cross the river and turn north passing Stenkrith Park where the river scenery changes from limestone at the head of the Eden Valley in Mallerstang, to the red sandstone which is characteristic further along the Eden Valley. The river at Stenkrith has carved this rock into many fantastic shapes, collectively known as the Devil's Grinding Mill or Devil's Hole. Also look out for the ten 'Eden Benchmarks', a series of sculptures that have been placed at intervals along the River Eden from its source in Mallerstang to the Solway Firth. The walk continues along the river passing Stenkrith Hill before returning to the town. To continue your walking in the Kirkby Stephen area, you could try the climb to Nine Standards Rigg. From the 662 m (2,172 ft) summit of the hill you can enjoy wonderful views over the Eden Valley. You can also continue along the Pennine Journey. Follow it south and it will take you along the river to the atmospheric ruins of the 12th century Pendragon Castle in the striking Mallerstang Valley. Just on from here you can enjoy another climb to Wild Boar Fell. One of the highest fells in the Yorkshire Dales, it commands fabulous views over the Eden Valley. Around here you can also pick up the long distance Pennine Bridleway. If you head south west you can visit the impressive Smardale Gill Viaduct and visit the pretty village of Ravenstonedale. There's lovely walks here along the Scandale Beck and through the Smardale Nature Reserve. View Full Details>> | |
| Newbiggin On Lune | 6.8 miles (11 km) | This Cumbrian village is located just north west of Ravenstonedale in the Eden district of the county. View Full Details>> | |
| Orton Scar | 3.6 miles (5.8 km) | This circular walk visits Orton Scar in Orton Fells in Cumbria. The area is an interesting place for a walk with limestone hills, plateaus and moorlands to explore. View Full Details>> | |
| Ravenstonedale | 3.7 miles (6 km) | There are lots of nice walks to try around the pretty Cumbrian village of Ravenstonedale. The village sits within the Yorkshire Dales National Park on the watershed between the River Lune and River Eden. There's lovely views of the Howgills, riverside paths, limestone pavements and challenging hill climbs to try in this beautiful area. This circular walk starts in the village and heads north along the Scandal Beck to the picturesque Smardale Bridge. You continue along the beck to the impressive Smardale Gill Viaduct. The viaduct is 710 ft (220 m) long and 130 ft (40 m) high. It is surrounded by a delightful nature reserve with a variety of wildlflowers and birds to look out for. After admiring the viaduct the route crosses the Scandal Beck before returning to the village on the opposite side of the water. To extend your walking in the area you could head to nearby Kirkby Stephen and try a nice walk along the River Eden. You can also pick up the Pennine Journey long distance trail around here. If you head south east from the village you can explore the lovely area around Mallerstang and enjoy a climb to Wild Boar Fell for great views over the surrounding area. Around here you can also pick up the Pennine Bridleway and further explore the Pennines on foot or by bike. View Full Details>> | |
| Sedbergh - River Dee - Dentdale | 5 miles (8 km) | A lovely waterside walk through Dentdale in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. The route uses a section of the Dales Way long distance trail to take you from the town of Sedbergh to the village of Dent, about 5 miles to the south east. The valley of the River Dee is a very beautiful and peaceful place, popular with walkers. From Sedbergh you head south from the town centre, crossing the River Rawthey at Millthrop before reaching the Dee at Lenacre. The path runs along the river to the village of Dent where you can enjoy refreshment at the pub before the return leg. To extend the walk you can continue along the Dales Way to the village of Cowgill. This section includes a number of caves and pretty waterfalls. Also just after Dent is the side valley of Deepdale. The dale is accessible by a narrow road which runs from Dent south to Kingsdale and Ingleton. To continue your riverside walking in the area you could try our Sedbergh Circular Walk which will take you along the River Rawthey. View Full Details>> | |
| Sedbergh Circular Walk | 5 miles (8 km) | The Cumbrian town of Sedbergh is a good base for walkers with direct access to the Howgill Fells. It sits on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park and has been officially recognised as Walkers are Welcome town. This circular walk takes you along the River Rawthey and into the countryside surrounding the town. There's wonderful views of the fells and of the River Rawthey and River Dee. The walk uses a section of the long distance Dales Way to take you west along the river for just over a mile. Just after Brigflatts you cross the river and turn east towards Abbot Holme where you cross the River Dee. At Millthrop you cross the Rawthey, passing a weir before returning to the town centre. Sedbergh is handily placed for exploring the Howgill Fells. You could extend your walking in the area by heading north along the Dales High Way and climbing The Calf, the highest point in the range. Around here you can also visit England's highest (cascade) waterfall above ground at Cautley Spout. These walks pass several of the Howgill Fells with wonderful views over the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales National Park. The long distance Dales Way also passes through the town. You could pick up the trail and follow it south east along the River Dee to Dentdale. View Full Details>> | |
| Smardale Gill Viadiuct | 3.1 miles (5 km) | This walk takes you through the pretty Smardale Gill along the trackbed of a disused railway line. It leads to the magnificent Smardale Viaduct. The viaduct was part of the South Durham and Lancashire Union Railway and has 14 arches, is 90 ft (27 m) high and 550 ft (170 m) long. It's an impressive sight with the structure surrounded by the lovely countryside of the Cumbrian hills and the pretty Smardale Beck which runs through the gill. The area is also a managed nature reserve with wildlflowers, woodland and grassland. Look out for flora such as bluebells, primrose and early purple orchid. Wildlife includes goldfinch, field fare and redwing with lots of butterflies around the wildflowers in the summer months. Red squirrels and roe deer can also be seen in the reserve. To extend your walking in the area you could climb Smardale Fell or Crosby Garrett Fell for wonderful views over the surrounding area. You can also approach the viaduct from the south from the pretty villages of Newbiggin On Lune and Ravenstonedale. In nearby Kirkby Stephen you can enjoy lovely walks along the River Eden. View Full Details>> | |
| Sunbiggin Tarn | 6.2 miles (10 km) | This walk visits the picturesque Sunbiggin Tarn in Cumbria. View Full Details>> | |
| Tebay | 5.5 miles (8.8 km) | This Cumbrian village is located in a lovely spot in the Lune Valley at the head of the Lune Gorge. View Full Details>> | |
| The Calf from Sedbergh | 7 miles (11.2 km) | Climb to the highest top in the Howgills on this challenging walk from Sedbergh. The walk follows a section of the Dales High Way long distance trail so takes place on good paths. It's about a 3.5 mile hike heading north from the town centre. Starting in the eastern part of the town follow Castleshaw Lane north from where it meets with Main Street. This will lead you to a footpath along the pretty Settlebeck Gill towards Arant Haw Fell. The path continues to climb past Rowantree Gains Fold and Calders Fell before coming to the summit of The Calf. From the 676 m (2,218 ft) summit there are fabulous views of the Lakeland peaks, the Yorkshire Three Peaks and many of the nearer Howgill Fells. At the summit you have the option of heading east and visiting Cautley Spout waterfall and then descending south east along Cautley Beck towards Low Haygarth. Around here you can pick up the Pennine Journey trail and return to Sedbergh on this path. This turns the route into a longer circular walk. If you'd like to extend your walking in the Sedbergh area you can try our circular walk which visits the River Rawthey and the River Dee. The Dales Way long distance trail also passes through the town and is a great way to explore this lovely area of the Yorkshire Dales. View Full Details>> | |
| Wild Boar Fell | 9 miles (14.5 km) | This circular walk climbs Wild Boar Fell in the Mallerstang area of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. It's one of the best climbs in the Dales with extensive views from the summit. You can start the walk from the small parking area at The Thrang, off the B6259. It's located just to the south of Mallerstang and Outhgill which is another possible start point, though parking is limited here. You could also start from Pendragon Castle, a little further north, as in the video below. From the parking area you pick up a section of the Pennine Bridleway to take you south towards Lock Hill. Here you turn west to High Dolphinsty where you then turn south to climb to the fell summit. You'll pass the wonderful cliffs at The Nab before reaching the 2,323 ft (708 m) summit. Here you will find a series of cairns with fantastic views over the Eden Valley and Mallerstang. The Howgills, Pennines, the Lake District fells, the Yorkshire Three Peaks can also all be seen and, on a clear day, there is a glimpse of the coast at Morecambe Bay. Just to the west of the summit you can take a small detour and visit the pretty Sand Tarn. After taking in the views, the route descends to Swarth Fell and Stubbing Rig before crossing the River Eden. Around here you will pass the impressive Hell Gill Force, the highest waterfall on the river. You then head north along Slade Edge with a riverside section leading you back to Lock Hill and The Thrang. If you enjoy this climb then head to the nearby Nine Standards Rigg to extend your walking in the area. Here you can enjoy more great views of Cross Fell Walk, Great Dun Fell and the Howgills. You could also follow the long distance Pennine Journey north from The Thrang. It will take you to the ruins of the 12th century Pendragon Castle and along the river to Kirkby Stephen. View Full Details>> |
