14 CUMBRIA CAUTLEY SPOUT & THE CALF
■Distance: 7¼ miles/11.8km ■Time: 5-6 hours ■Grade: Challenging
Don’t listen to anyone who claims the rounded fells of the Howgills are dull. This walk proves they are not. For starters there’s an extremely steep ascent beside Cautley Spout, England’s highest above-ground cascade which tumbles 198m in a series of waterfalls. This is followed by a more gentle climb to the summit of The Calf at 676m, the highest point in the Howgills, with its panoramic view to the Lakeland fells and Morecambe Bay. After admiring another stunning viewpoint atop Cautley Crags, there’s a lovely bridleway above the River Rawther back to the start where the 400-year-old Cross Keys Temperance Inn awaits. Although you won’t be able to have a pint, you can – as Alfred Wainwright used to in this very place – look forward to tucking into some fine post-walk food.
SEE FEATURE ON PAGE 43
1 Start
Descend the steps at the northeast end of the lay-by and cross the bridge over the River Rawthey.
Turn L and follow the engineered path as it curves R and Cautley Spout appears ahead.
Follow the path to the foot of the falls. Bear L when the path forks to ascend, initially on grass followed by a very steep pitched path beside the falls.
Ignore a path heading off R halfway up and ford a stream before reaching flatter ground at the top of the falls.
PLAN YOUR WALK
Start/parking Lay-by just NE of Cross Keys Temperance Inn, LA10 5NE, grid ref SD698969 Is it for me?
Some excellent maintained paths but some very boggy ones too.
The path beside Cautley Spout is steep and quite vertiginous. Navigation is always tricky in the Howgills Stiles None
Nearest town Sedbergh (5 miles) Refreshments Cross Keys Temperance Inn (01539 620284) Public toilets None Public transport Western Dales Community Bus S5 &
S6, Sedbergh to Kirkby Stephen (very limited service) Maps OS Explorer OL19; Landranger 98;
Harvey Superwalker Yorkshire Dales North West
©CROWN COPYRIGHT 2024 ORDNANCE SURVEY. MEDIA 007/24
2 1½ miles/2.4km
Continue up the valley on a muddy path to the R of the beck. After passing a sheepfold with an unusual corner, t
