Yet more Howgill wanderings

[martin.h]

This was our fourth visit to the Howgills in recent months, I suppose you can say we've been taking advantage of a
"good thing" and, as far as the weather is concerned, we've been pretty lucky too, today was no exception

Tops visited on our day out

Stwarth
Green Bell
Stockless
Randygill Top
Hooksey

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

We've been travelling west to east on our visits and have been to the top of most of the named summits in the Howgills, this little route was one I'd looked at to start from Bowderdale until trailmasher bought to my attention a better start point from Weasedale, looking at the map, it made a lot of sense so this is how we got on and thanks to trailmasher for planting the seed

As suggested by trailmasher we parked up at the Y junction at NY697041, there is room for about three sensibly parked cars here but we saw alternatives along the way so, when busy?, it's not difficult to find a spot off the road.

DSC04356 by Martin Hawer, on Flickr

DSC04357 by Martin Hawer, on Flickr

DSC04358 by Martin Hawer, on Flickr

We were soon on our way, the sun was shining and, apart from a cool breeze, it was warm.

We made our way back along the road to the junction at NY700042 and started up the footpath signposted for Green Bell.

DSC04359 by Martin Hawer, on Flickr

This is a well marked path on the ground, a bit soggy in places today, but easy enough to follow, it rises at a nice steady gradient, a really pleasant start to the day

The thing that we've become accustomed to in the Howgills is how quickly you can cover distance with little effort, very soon, Green Bell came into view.

DSC04363 by Martin Hawer, on Flickr

DSC04368 by Martin Hawer, on Flickr

Looking at the views to the North its a complete contrast to what's ahead, it looks quite flat and agricultural, I like this variation, a bit like calm and storm, if you know what I mean

DSC04360 by Martin Hawer, on Flickr

DSC04361 by Martin Hawer, on Flickr

DSC04364 by Martin Hawer, on Flickr

DSC04365 by Martin Hawer, on Flickr

It took about an hour and a quarter from the car to the summit of Green Bell and it's not until you arrive that you start to get some nice views of the main Howgill fells, they maybe green lumps but they're good looking green lumps

DSC04369 by Martin Hawer, on Flickr

DSC04370 by Martin Hawer, on Flickr

DSC04373 by Martin Hawer, on Flickr

From the summit we could see the way ahead and, by Howgill standards, we knew that our next top, Randygill Top, was going to be a joy to walk to.

DSC04374 by Martin Hawer, on Flickr

DSC04375 by Martin Hawer, on Flickr

After a quick snack we were on our way.

We met our first fellow walker on the way over, just a quick "hello, nice day" and we were on our way.
From Green Bell Randygill Top looked a fair way off but no, not really, we were soon taking our last steps to the cairn and the views were great.

DSC04376 by Martin Hawer, on Flickr

DSC04377 by Martin Hawer, on Flickr

DSC04378 by Martin Hawer, on Flickr

DSC04381 by Martin Hawer, on Flickr

Hooksey was next, from Randygill Top we descended to Leathgill Bridge, a land bridge between two dales but the descent itself is pretty steep.
Looking to Hooksey, the climb up looked steep, in reality it's not bad at all, we were soon on the summit.

DSC04382 by Martin Hawer, on Flickr

DSC04386 by Martin Hawer, on Flickr

The views from here are good, really nice lumpy hills and now we can say we've visited most of them

DSC04383 by Martin Hawer, on Flickr

DSC04388 by Martin Hawer, on Flickr

DSC04392 by Martin Hawer, on Flickr

Hooksey Panorama by Martin Hawer, on Flickr


From Hooksey it's a nice walk back to Weasedale over easy terrain. We headed for the farm buildings at Cow Bank,

DSC04396 by Martin Hawer, on Flickr

Looking back

DSC04399 by Martin Hawer, on Flickr

once there, we picked up the metalled road back to the car.

Veerrry old farm building

DSC04398 by Martin Hawer, on Flickr

This was a nice short day in the hills, we set off at 8.30am and were back at the car before midday feeling like we'd done something, we like the Howgills and with a bit of friendly advice from other members on walkhighlands we are managing to plan routes away from the busier more frequented parts of these fantastic little hills

Cheers

[trailmasher]

Nice one both, good pics and route on a really lovely sunny day and pleased that I was able to offer a bit of prior knowledge to a fellow WH'er. It's a great walk no matter which way round you take Like you I've done most of 'em, just a couple on the south side to pick off from the Fairmile Road

[johnkaysleftleg]

Looks a really fine short day, can't believe you missed out on the fantastically named Hunthoof pike, I'd have gone for the name alone.

[martin.h]

Nice one both, good pics and route on a really lovely sunny day and pleased that I was able to offer a bit of prior knowledge to a fellow WH'er. It's a great walk no matter which way round you take Like you I've done most of 'em, just a couple on the south side to pick off from the Fairmile Road

Thank you TM
Yes I think we've another two or three visits (I'll make sure it's three ) to say we've visited all the tops, like you, we've enough to do for a decent day out from the Fairmile Road
Cheers.

Looks a really fine short day, can't believe you missed out on the fantastically named Hunthoof pike, I'd have gone for the name alone.

Hi Anthony
Why we didn't visit it I don't know, we could see Hunthoof Pike on the way up, I think I must have fallen asleep Looking at the map, we can include it on a route I've got planned from your suggested start point on the Adamthwaite Road, it all adds to the fun

Cheers.