Winder and Arant Haw are two hills included in this delightful walk from Sedbergh. The Howgill Fells are an integral part of the Yorkshire Dales National Park yet they display a unique character. The walking is good, the views superb and the paths quiet. Who could ask for more?
Calculated time: 4h45[?] 
Distance : 6.99mi
Vertical gain : 1722ft
Vertical drop : 1719ft
Highest point : 1946ft
Lowest point : 440ft 
Difficulty : Average
Back to starting point : Yes
Walking
Area : Yorkshire Dales 
Location : Sedbergh
Starting point : N 54.323744° / W 2.525438° (D/A) Parking is available at a number of places but the car park adjacent to the information office at grid ref. SD658921 is probably as good as any. Exit the car park and turn right along Main Street turning right again into Howgill Lane. Follow this lane for about 700 metres and turn right (Grid ref. SD 652923) along a track towards Lockbank Farm. Go through the gate in the intake wall and onto open fellside.
(1) There are a number of paths in this immediate vicinity but the preferred route is to go half left up the fellside to reach a wide path (Grid ref. SD 650926) which is followed uphill across the flank of Winder. The going is easy and quick progress is made despite the uphill grade. Reaching the col (Grid ref. SD 658937) between Winder and Arant Haw turn sharp left to follow the clear path along the ridge to the summit of Winder, which provides a good place to have a break. There is a trig point here and the view offered across the surrounding countryside is superb.
(2) Having taken in the view return downhill to the col and continue straight ahead on the path that eventually leads to the Calf (the highest point in the Howgills). Arant Haw is the hill to your immediate left and although it might be tempting to make a direct ascent it is possible to reach the summit without too much effort by continuing on the main path above Hobdale Scar (Grid ref. SD 667949) where a sharp left turn will take you almost back on yourself to the grassy summit. The summit on my last visit was marked by a small heap of stones and provided rather more extensice views than those from Winder.
(3) Careful navigation is imperative in the Howgills with an often complex system of ridges and valleys. Before continuing acquaint yourself with the main features around you and when sure descend on a path running west towards a spot height 515 (Grid ref. SD 653947) that might be considered the summit of the Nab. The path turns southwest here and drops down to Crosdale Beck which can be forded just above Crosdale Wood.
(4) Follow the path alongside the intake wall southwards. it is a bit of switchback but will bring you back to the gate where you first entered the open fellside. Retrace your steps back into Sedbergh where an assortment of pssoibilities are available for refreshment(D/A).
Waypoints :
D/A : mi 0 - alt. 443ft - Car park
1 : mi 0.62 - alt. 587ft - Go half left
2 : mi 2.08 - alt. 1522ft - Winder
3 : mi 3.83 - alt. 1946ft - Arant Haw
4 : mi 5.39 - alt. 699ft - Follow the path southwards
D/A : mi 6.99 - alt. 446ft
The Howgills offer many miles of walks across the grassy rounded hills that make up this range. Situated at their southwestern extremity is the small market town of Sedbergh, which in this case provides a convenient place to start.
Visorando and this author cannot be held responsible in the case of accidents or problems occuring on this walk.
Global average : 4/5
Number of opinions : 1
Description quality : 4/5
Routemap quality : 4/5
Walk interest : 4/5
Global average : 4 / 5
Date of walk
: 10/06/21
Description quality
: Good
Routemap quality
: Good
Walk interest
: Good
6.84mi
+1811ft
-1677ft
4h45
Average
Starting point in Sedbergh - Cumbria This walk climbs to the Calf via Fell Head. Starting from the small hamlet of Howgill, near Sedbergh, this route sees few walkers. Offering good views to the Shap Fells and the higher hills of the Yorkshire Dales, this is a walk for the connoiseur.
5.17mi
+1703ft
-1699ft
3h50
Difficult
Starting point in Sedbergh - Cumbria Cautley Spout, the Calf, Bram Rigg Top, Calders and Great Dummacks are all included in this walk in the Howgill Fells. Starting from Cross Keys, near Sedbergh, the route offers excellent walking within the Yorkshire Dales National Park and visits one of most dramatic locations in these hills.
10.7mi
+1578ft
-1552ft
6h20
Difficult
Starting point in Orton (Cumbria)-1 - Cumbria The Howgill Fells offer excellent walking with few other people sharing the landscape. This walk follows Bowderdale deep into the area before climbing steadily to the highest point in this group of fells. The return route offers grandstand views as you follow a lofty ridge back to the start.
8.28mi
+984ft
-981ft
4h40
Average
Starting point in Ingleton (North Yorkshire) - North Yorkshire A Yorkshire Dales route that includes a traverse of Blea Moor from Ribblehead. The return route follows a section of the Dales Way across Gayle Moor. The walk includes some unavoidable road walking.
6.11mi
+387ft
-387ft
3h10
Average
Starting point in Kirkby Stephen - Cumbria A circular walk from the market town of Kirkby Stephen in Cumbria. The route explores the rolling country to the south-west of the town visiting the village of Nateby, before continuing close to Wharton Hall and across Waitby Common back to the start.
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The GPS track and description are the property of the author.
