The valley of the River Lune winds through some of the most peaceful countryside in north-west England, flowing between the dramatic uplands of the Yorkshire Dales National Park and the mountains of the Lake District National Park. Alongside the rounded hills of the Howgill Fells, the area offers quiet valleys, open moorland, historic villages and sweeping views across one of England’s most unspoilt walking landscapes.

This Cicerone guidebook helps you explore the Lune Valley and Howgills through 40 scenic day walks ranging from 5–18km (3–11 miles), suitable for walkers of all abilities. With clear route descriptions, mapping and practical planning advice, it provides everything you need to enjoy memorable walks from riverside paths to high fell summits.

• 40 circular day walks explore the varied landscapes surrounding the River Lune, following the river as it flows from Kirkby Stephen to panoramic ridges across the Howgill Fells and downstream towards its mouth at Morecambe Bay
• Routes of 1–6 hours allow you to plan everything from gentle countryside strolls to more challenging fell walks across the uplands between the Lake District National Park and Yorkshire Dales National Park
• Clear step-by-step directions with 1:50,000 OS mapping help you navigate confidently as you explore valleys, ridgelines and historic market towns such as Sedbergh and Kirkby Lonsdale
• Downloadable GPX files provide easy digital navigation on GPS devices or smartphone apps while discovering secluded valleys and open moorland across Cumbria, Lancashire and the western Dales
• Practical information on transport, facilities, wildlife and geology helps you plan and enjoy rewarding days out while learning more about the landscapes shaped by the River Lune and its tributaries

From peaceful riverside paths and ancient farmland to the sweeping ridges of the fells, this guidebook opens the door to walking in the Lune Valley and Howgills, one of northern England’s most rewarding yet overlooked walking regions. Discover quiet valleys, panoramic fell-top views and timeless countryside as you explore the Lune Valley and Howgills on half-day and full-day walks suitable for all abilities.

The Lune Valley and Howgills – Quick Facts

Guidebook: The Lune Valley and Howgills
Location: Lune Valley, between the Lake District National Park and the Yorkshire Dales National Park
Routes: 40 circular and day walks
Distance range: 5–18km / 3–11 miles
Typical duration: 1–6 hours per walk
Route format: Circular day walks
Navigation: Step-by-step route directions with 1:50,000 OS mapping and downloadable GPX files
Difficulty: Easy to moderate – suitable for walkers of all abilities
Landscape: Rolling fells, riverside valleys, open moorland, historic farmland and villages
Key towns and cities: Sedbergh, Kirkby Lonsdale, Kendal, Kirkby Stephen, Lancaster
Best season: Spring to autumn for the best walking conditions
Ideal for: Scenic day walks, fell-top views, riverside paths 

Author Highlight

“The area of the Lune valley, nestled between the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales, begs discovery and presents no shortage of inviting walks to suit every taste and inclination. The selection of walks in this guide reveals its many facets, with routes that clamber onto the hills overlooking the main valley, delve into the tributary dales that feed it, or simply follow the River Lune itself.”

- Dennis Kelsall, author of The Lune Valley and Howgills

Map key

Location of walks

Introduction

Origins and landscape

History

Wildlife

Transport

Accommodation and facilities

Navigation and maps

Planning your walk

Using this guide

Walk 1 Weasdale and Randygill Top

Walk 2 Newbiggin-on-Lune

Walk 3 Wath to Kelleth

Walk 4 Bowderdale and The Calf

Walk 5 Gaisgill to Orton

Walk 6 Orton Scar

Walk 7 Birk Beck

Walk 8 Bretherdale

Walk 9 Blease Fell

Walk 10 Jeffrey’s Mount and Borrowdale

Walk 11 Whinfell and Borrowdale

Walk 12 Carlin Gill

Walk 13 Beck Foot

Walk 14 Firbank and Bridge End

Walk 15 Winder, Calders and The Calf

Walk 16 Sedbergh and the River Rawthey

Walk 17 Frostrow Fells and Dentdale

Walk 18 Beside the River Dee from Dent

Walk 19 Killington

Walk 20 Calf Top

Walk 21 Barbon Low Fell

Walk 22 Around Casterton

Walk 23 Kirkby Lonsdale

Walk 24 By the Lune from Kirkby Lonsdale

Walk 25 Leck Beck

Walk 26 Arkholme and the River Lune

Walk 27 Melling

Walk 28 Roeburndale

Walk 29 Whit Moor

Walk 30 Littledale

Walk 31 Clougha Pike

Walk 32 Aughton and the River Lune

Walk 33 Halton, the Crook o’Lune and Gray’s Seat

Walk 34 Slyne and the Lune Aqueduct

Walk 35 Around Lancaster

Walk 36 The Lune and the Lancaster Canal

Walk 37 Glasson Dock and the Lancaster Canal Spur

Walk 38 Cockersand Abbey

Walk 39 Overton and Bazil Point

Walk 40 Sunderland Point

Appendix A Route summary table

Appendix B The Lune Valley end to end

Appendix C Useful contacts

Seasons

come spring and early summer, the woodlands, meadows and hedgerows are at their most colourful, and you'll likely get the best weather too. As summer fades, autumnal hues paint another magical time. Crisp winter days can open wonderful distant views, but the weather can sometimes create challenging conditions, even for experienced walkers.

Centres

useful facilities exist at the few small towns and larger villages covered by the area, the main centres being Tebay, Sedbergh, Dent, Kirkby Lonsdale and Lancaster.

Difficulty

the lowland walks are generally without difficulty, but venture onto the higher moors and hills of the Howgill Fells and Bowland fringe, and competent navigation skills and stamina become necessary, particularly in winter. Good footwear, wind and waterproofs underlie basic equipment requirements. Non of the routes demand climbing skills, although some steep gradients may be involved.

Must See

the Howgill Fells are the main area of high ground covered within the book, the highest point of which is The Calf at 672m. Several of the other summits are also included such as Randygill Top, Green Bell and Docker Knott, with walks routed through the long valleys and along the broad ridges that are such a dominant feature of the area. Other satisfying heights include neighbouring Borrowdale, Middleton Fell and Clougha Pike. Elsewhere, the focus is on the River Lune and its immediate tributaries, exploring its changing character as it winds to the sea.

May 2022

Walk 9 Blease Fell

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