Walks by Bus and Train in the Dales

Walk 1: The Rim of the Howgills

A wide range of views with waterfalls, fells and pasture land on a walk from the Cross Keys Hotel back to Sedbergh.

Map: Outdoor Leisure Map “The Howgills”.  

Distance:  5¼ miles (8.4 km), mostly level or gentle slopes.

Walking time: about 2¾ hours

Getting There: Take the 564 bus from Kendal or Sedbergh (Dalesman Inn) and alight at the eighteenth century Cross Keys unlicensed hotel on A683, 1½ miles north of Cautley Church. 

The Route: About 40 yds up from the Cross Keys is a sign and footbridge over the river.  Cross and go leftwards.  Shortly one joins the bridleway, go left.  After 400 yards, follow the bridleway round a curve to the right.  Then look leftwards for a footbridge over the tributary stream and a path leading to it - that is the way back to Sedbergh.

For the optional section to view Cautley Spout, stick with the well-defined path heading up the side valley for about two-thirds of a mile (say 20 minutes walking).  By that stage you’ll have a good view of the waterfall.  Return on the same path almost to the main river and turn right over the footbridge mentioned earlier.

Walk forward about 80 yards with a wall on your right to join the track coming from the ford.  Bear right ascending to the bottom edge of the moorland.  Keep ahead on a well used track.  For much of the first 2 miles it is just outside the fields, but occasionally passes through an enclosed section.  After crossing a small stream this route become a road, but continue ahead.  Pass the farmstead at Thursgill, through the next gate across the road and cross the dip created by a side stream. 

Soon after that is the house at Ellerthwaite, and immediately after it look for a footpath sign on the right reading “Underbank 1m”.  Follow that field path passing farms at Hollin Hall and Stone Hall.   Pass Underbank on your right bearing slightly left onto the track which, in about 400 yds, brings you to the edge of Sedbergh.  Continue forward to the main road and then bear right on the footway into the town centre.