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The Lune Valley and Howgills

40 scenic fell, river and woodland walks

By Dennis Kelsall, Jan Kelsall

ISBN

9781852849160

Availability

Published

6 Nov 2017

Reprinted

2 Nov 2021

Edition

Second

Pages

208

Size

17.20 x 11.60 x 1.20cm

Weight

240g

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Guidebook to 40 walks, from 3 to 11 miles, exploring the Lune Valley and Howgill Fells, some of the most unspoilt countryside in north west England. Set mainly within the Yorkshire Dales National Park, and the AONBs of Bowland and Arnside and Silverdale, the walking is hugely rewarding, near the centres of Sedbergh, Kendal and Lancaster.

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.

ISBN

9781852849160

Availability

Published

6 Nov 2017

Reprinted

2 Nov 2021

Edition

Second

Pages

208

Size

17.20 x 11.60 x 1.20cm

Weight

240g

Overview

This guidebook offers a wide range of walks from the source of the river Lune in the Howgill Fells to Glasson Dock, just below Lancaster. The 40 day walks range between 3 and 11 miles in length and are all illustrated with extracts of 1:50,000 OS mapping.

The walks start in the north of the region and follow the River Lune southwards to the sea, with bases including Orton, Sedbergh, Kirkby Lonsdale and Lancaster. They explore the infinitely varied landscape as the river Lune flows between the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales national parks and the Forest of Bowland and Arnside and Silverdale Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Also included is an outline of a 60-mile, 6-day route walking the River Lune from end to end, with lots of background information about the area's history, geology and also all the local facilities to help you plan your trip. There are magnificent views from the empty hilltops, delightful natural woodlands full of wildlife, stunning secluded side valleys and open moorland vistas to be explored in Yorkshire, Cumbria and Lancashire.

Table of Contents

CONTENTS

OS map key

Location of Walks

Introduction

Origins and landscape

History

Wildlife

Transport

Accommodation and facilities

Navigation and maps

Planning your walk

Using this guide

The Walks

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

Maps

Navigation and maps

The mapping extracts (1:50,000) accompanying each walk in this guide indicate the outline of the route and are not intended as a substitute for taking the map itself with you. The context of the wider area given by the larger scale (1:25,000) OS Explorer maps will not only add to the enjoyment of identifying neighbouring hills and other features, but is vital should you wander off course or need to find an alternative way back. Reference to the route description and appropriate map will avoid most navigational difficulties, but on upland routes competence in the use of a compass is necessary, particularly if there is a risk of poor visibility.

A view across the foot of Lunesdale from a splendid stone stile (Walk 5)

A GPS receiver (and spare batteries) can be a useful additional aid, but you should know how to use it and be conscious of its shortcomings. Be aware of your own limitations and do not start out if anticipated conditions are likely to be beyond your experience. If the weather unexpectedly deteriorates, always be prepared to turn back.

The area is covered by Ordnance Survey maps at both 1:25,000 and 1:50,000 scales, but the larger scale shows a greater detail that is often invaluable.

The Ordnance Survey Explorer maps for the walks in this guide are listed below.

OL19 (Howgill Fells and Upper Eden Valley) OL7 (The English Lakes, South Eastern area) OL2 (Yorkshire Dales, Southern and Western areas) OL41 (Forest of Bowland and Ribblesdale) 296 (Lancaster, Morecambe and Fleetwood)

Updates

May 2022

Walk 9 Blease Fell

On the return from Blease Fell summit, the path to Hare Shaw now crosses through an enclosed section of land that has been fenced off to protect young trees. There is a very small, faded sign from Natural England on Tebay's village notice board detailing this. It states the fencing is temporary. There is a stile that allows walkers to cross the fence on both sides but it is not easily visible from the path and compass bearings described in the book. On reaching the fence, a walker should follow it to the right (with the fence on their left) until they reach the stile. From there, the route is easily followed.

(Thank you to Megan Dixon for this update)

Reviews

If your walking in the northwest has been concentrated on the Lakes and Dales then this is the book for you. But sssssh! Don't tell everyone or they'll all want to go there.

The Howgill Fells, that huddle of smooth sided hills that nestle between the grandeur of the Lake District and the beauty of the Yorkshire Dales, is one of the north’s best kept secrets. They are often overlooked as a walking destination in favour of their better known neighbours, but on a clear, dry day there is nowhere that I’d rather be, away from the crowds and alone with the curlews and Fell ponies.

Dennis and Jan Kelsall share my love of this landscape as their guidebook book Walking in the Lune Valley and Howgills clearly shows. This is the 2nd edition of the book they first wrote in 2012 and it celebrates the inclusion of much of the area into either the Lake District or Yorkshire Dales National Parks. It includes 40 day walks of between 3 and 11 miles in the catchment area of the river Lune, stretching from its emergence near Newbiggin-on-Lune and flowing for some 50 miles to the Irish Sea below Lancaster. To the east of the river lay the Howgill Fells and the Forest of Bowland and it is in these areas that there are some of the finest walks in the book. Base yourself in the lovely market town of Sedbergh and you can tackle anything from a strenuous circular climb over Winder, Calders and the Calf to a gentle stroll around Dent.

There are also clusters of walks in the north around Orton and Tebay where there are fine examples of limestone pavement, and further south in remote little Barbondale. The final section of the book takes you along the Lancaster canal and out to the Lune estuary were you can see the remains of Cockersand Abbey and explore Glasson Dock, still active after over 200 years, although mainly with pleasure craft these days.

The book is published by Cicerone and is in their distinctive style; pocket sized with 1:50,000 extracts of OS maps to accompany each route description. Directions in the text are enlivened by the historical and geographical snippets that add interest to any walk. If your walking in the northwest has been concentrated on the Lakes and Dales then this is the book for you. But sssssh! Don't tell everyone or they'll all want to go there.

Chris Grogan

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Dennis Kelsall

Dennis and Jan Kelsall have long held a passion for countryside and hill walking. Since their first Cicerone title was published in 1995, they have written, contributed and illustrated over 50 guides to some of Britain’s most popular walking areas and have become regular contributors to various outdoor magazines. Their enjoyment of the countryside extends far beyond a love of fresh air, open spaces and scenery. Over the years Dennis and Jan have developed a wider interest in the environment, its geology and wildlife, as well as an enthusiasm for delving into local history, which so often provides clues to interpreting the landscape.

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Jan Kelsall

Dennis and Jan Kelsall have long held a passion for countryside and hill walking. Since their first Cicerone title was published in 1995, they have written around 35 guides to some of Britain’s most popular walking areas and have become regular contributors to various outdoor magazines. Their enjoyment of the countryside extends far beyond a love of fresh air, open spaces and scenery. Over the years Dennis and Jan have developed a wider interest in the environment, its geology and wildlife, as well as an enthusiasm for delving into local history, which so often provides clues to interpreting the landscape.

View author profile