Middleton Fell (Calf Top) and Casterton Fell

[Broggy1]

our_route.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

A working Saturday but with an increase in daylight I had enough time to get to Barbon for a short walk in the Eastern Dales on a cloudy but dry and pleasant afternoon with light winds.

Parked the car at Barbon and followed roads to Eskholme, before climbing fairly steeply up Eskholme Pike then along the excellent ridge to Castle Knott and Calf Top (both parts of Middleton Fell). From, here I retraced my steps past Castle Knott and then steeply down to Barbondale.

I then took the wet bridleway towards Bullpot Farm before branching off at the wall and heading up Casterton Fell. This proved harder than first imagined with an up and down crossing over plenty of wet ground (and one dry stone wall) before reaching the Trig. I then followed a clear path down (apart from again having to climb the wall) to the road and back to Barbon.

An excellent afternoon on some really good hills. Calf Top especially is well worth the climb and despite being agonizingly short of Hewitt status, it actually makes a better walk than many other Dales Hewitts. (EDIT Now a Hewitt!).

Eskholme Pike ahead

Cairn on Eskholme Pike (not really a top in it's own right but a nice view point)

View from Eskholme Pike

The excellent ridge to Castle Knott

Calf Top from Castle Knott (a bit of boggy ground between these two but nothing too bad)

Trig Point on Calf Top (highest point on Middleton Fell) looking to the Howgill Fells

Looking back at Castle Knott

Descending steeply into Barbondale

Barbon Beck

Wet bridleway towards Bullpot Farm

I left the bridleway at a wall to head up Casterton Fell

Looking back at Middleton Fell (Castle Knott to Calf Top)

Trig Point on Casterton Fell looking to snow topped Crag Hill and Great Coum

On descent