Walked the circular route anti-clockwise, starting from a lay-by just SW of Birthwood farm. First mile or so easy going, steep but short climb up onto Cowgill Rig. Easy going for another mile or so then leave track to follow fence line up to Hudderstone. The route become immediately tough on leaving track. Steep, deep heather, deeper bogs. Good clear day though, good views to distract. Flat/ gently sloping terrain from Hudderstone to Dod Hill, drier and more sure footed here. Descent from Dod Hill down to the bank VERY wet. Luckily there had been an excavator working, so some sort of track had been beaten, won't last long though. Climb up to Hillshaw Head steep but again over quickly. Fine view on reaching the shoulder between here and Gathersnow Hill. Gentle climb up to Gathersnow and then slightly steeper descent down to Holm Nick. From here picked up track leading to Coulter Reservoir (time was tight for getting back for the footy) and then followed tarmac road back to Birthwood. Over all a good route, with difficult enough sections to feel like you've earned the fine views over the surrounding area. Could be an absolute disaster in bad weather though.