4 Bowland Valleys

[Broggy1]

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

I was working at weekend so had Monday off but that had a dodgy forecast that suggested the best weather would be locally in the afternoon.

Decided on this route which would keep me out of the wind on the whole - visiting 2 obvious valleys, two secluded side valleys and topping out twice at Fiendsdale Head and Hareden Fell.

Rain kept off and made for a pleasant afternoon wander.

Langden is an easily accessible valley with a good track in it's lower reaches and excellent scenery accompanied by Langden Brook.

The path splits and the higher path really gives you a good appreciation of the valley

You also get to see the remains of Holdron Castle. Not overly impresive but more impressive than Langden Castle which is essentially just a hut.

Further up Langden, the right of way enters Fiendsdale - a beautiful side valley

It then begins to climb up to Fiendsdale Head

Fiendsdale Head looking over to Wolf (Fairsnape Fell). It's quite practical to continue there from here but the going is boggy and rough and there are far better ways to reach that hill from the South and West.

So it was back down on the good path (paved at this point) with Eastern Bowland in view

Heading down Fiendsdale

After heading back to Langden I turned off into Bleadale.

There is a path underfoot but this involves two significant stream crossings (Langden Brook and Bleadale Water) and may not always be possible.

Looking back down lower Bleadale as I climb out of the valley on to Hareden Fell.

Bleadale is very beautiful and feels pretty wild. It's upper reaches which merge into the Fairsnape to Totridge ridge are exceptional by Bowland standards.

Grouse Buts on Hareden Fell - not really a hill in it's own right

Descending steeply into Hareden to pick up a shooting track with Totridge on the other side of the valley.

This bit was quite rough and it's advisable to try and pick up the track higher up.

Heading down the track into Hareden - an easy end to the afternoon.