Sedbergh, Fawcett Bank, Calders, Arant Haw, Cumbria. [13km] Mon 12th Nov 2007

I had things to do at home first so didn’t get to Sedbergh till about 10am. The weather forecast was good which is why I’d decided to sneak in a short walk. I left the car at the recreation ground car park and set off through the Town’s narrow main street. As I emerged on the other side I had a nice view up to the left of the Motte and Bailey hill remains.

Buckbank Lane with Baugh Fell in the background.

I continued along the A683 road until a left turn along the minor Buckbank Lane. It’s single track with hedges either side so I’m glad I’m walking and not driving. There are a few houses on the way to Thursgill where the adopted road ends and a farm track continues. There is another house further on, Fawcett Bank, which is occupied and it must be difficult getting access in bad weather along the narrow, un-surfaced and unstable track. Just before the building I turned left into the field to look at a ruin before heading straight up the fell side. There is no path here so I followed animal routes to the base of Fawcett Bank Rigg. It was a steady and easy climb on firm ground with quad bike tracks to follow directly up the round ridge.

The view from Calders

The views to the left down into Hobdale Gill were very impressive in the sunshine. I continued up the ridge towards Great Dummacks until I was high enough to get a view down into Cautley and the Cross Keys Inn. It was the ideal place to stop for lunch, so I did. On the summit a faint path joins a more substantial one which I assume comes in from the Cautley area. This is where I saw the first walkers of the day, a couple of women walking down the way I’d just come up. At Calders I was now on the main Howgill summit path, a well made and stoned surface. It turned steeply down onto Rowantree Grains saddle before climbing slightly towards Arant Haw. I didn’t go over the summit but kept to the main path which I followed to Swere Gill Well. It’s not a well in the usual sense but a spring. Unfortunately there is no flat ground nearby so I can’t put it on my list for a future camp. I continued all the way down to Lockbank Farm where I was back on tarmac, then a short walk back to the car.