Rogan's Seat and Kisdon

[Broggy1]

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A wet and windy day for my final Dales Hewitt. Although more popularly done from Gunnerside, I opted to do this walk from Keld having walked in Gunnerside Gill before and because I wanted to add the Marilyn top of Kisdon to the days agenda.

I parked in the very reasonable car park at Keld and initially followed the Pennine Way over the Swale and past the waterfalls before turning left up to Crackpot Hall where I lost the path and started heading down hill before meeting up with the lower path heading up Swinner Gill.

Crossing the Swale near Keld

Keld Waterfalls

This was narrow and exposed in places but a very interesting route past another waterfall to the point where you branch off into East Grain. I didn't see the turning originally and continued up Swinner Gill by mistake but quickly rectified it and was soon making good progress up towards the open moor.

On the lower path in Swinner Gill

Another Waterfall near East Grain

The wind really picked up here as I joined a vehicle track and then took another vehicle track branching off left which I knew would take me near to the summit of Rogan's Seat.

Vehicle Track on Rogan's Seat

This was boring but straightforward walking and with plenty of mist about I was glad of the security offered by the track on the vast moor.

Eventually I saw the summit cairn located on a large peat hag with the nearby Trig Point on Water Crag visible in the distance - a Nuttall summit I was not going to bother with today due to the weather.

This cairn marked the top of Rogan's Seat (it obviously was but the angle of the picture makes it look like there is higher ground all around).

From here it was a case of just retracing my footsteps back along along the Yellow Brick Road and into East Grain before opting for the higher (and proper) path in Swinner Gill back to Crackpot Hall.

Back down in to East Grain

You can see the lower and higher paths in Swinner Gill here

Kisdon now ahead

Once back over the Swale I followed the Pennine way before taking the bridleway to the right (marked by yellow bands) to the foot of Kisdon where I followed a wall steeply and pathlessly to the top.

River Swale

Pennine Way

This involved leaping over a dry stone wall near the top but was otherwise a decent way up. The summit area had a large well-built cairn marking it but was obviously not the highest point.

Large Cairn on Kisdon

Highest point of Kisdon looking down at the Cairn

The views from here were excellent and well worth the detour. The improving weather helped to dry my wet clothes and give me a better sense of satisfaction as I retraced my steps back into Keld and the car.

Rogan's Seat from the slopes of Kisdon

Keld from Kisdon

[mrssanta]

Oh that was nice and always good to see a Dales walk.

[colgregg]

I too couldn't find a way to Kisden's summit other than the Wall hop. It's a pity the weather wasn't too good for you as the summit of Water Crag, North of Rogans seat is far superior. Pity it's not quite as high as this is more worthy of Hewitt status.