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Ward’s Stone, an addition to a Bowland circuit from Littledale.

By Hugh Stewart April 1, 2020 Leave a Comment

So this addition to the jaunt of a week ago makes a ten mile circuit with 1700 ft plus of ascent, with better long distance views. Start as for the previous walk, but at the Duke’s track carry on across it on an obvious path, and then left at a “T” junction at the ridge top. Grit Fell has a large boundary stone before the summit cairn. The path goes down to a wide dip and up to Ward’s Stone, passing close to the “Christmas” tree mentioned in the parent post. It was in it’s Spring decorations today, see photos. The bushy lower part contrasts with trees grown at less windy altitudes. Remember that Ward’s Stone is the third highest Lancashire hill. It was on the long path to Ward’s Stone that I pondered on why gritstone on paths is often white, not the usual grey, and I think it is because it has been bleached by the acid peat, which has then been eroded by many feet. I would like others’ thoughts on this, and wonder how long it takes to revert to grey, if ever.

Cross the bare Ward’s Stone plateau, and at the Queen’s chair, a gritstone boulder, follow the boundary fence NE cross boggy ground to High Stephen’s Head. If really soggy, it would be better to head E first then N to avoid the worst of the bogs, following the boundaries. Go down via Gallow’s Hill and Haylot Fell, through a gate visible from afar and down to meet the track which crosses Closegill beck and join the parent route.

  • The “Christmas” tree in Spring Raiment.
  • The “Christmas” Tree in Xmas raiment.
  • Another Christmas, same tree. (photo curtesy of Ian chadwick)
  • View from Ward’s Stone to the Lakes across Morecambe Bay.
© OpenStreetMap contributors
Download file: wards stone 3.gpx

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Hillwalks from the Settle to Carlisle Railway Stations

24 walks into the hills surrounding the historic and iconic Settle to Carlisle railway, based on the stations between Settle and Appleby. The area has some of the finest walking of the north Pennines: the Craven district around Settle; the Three Peaks area; Dentdale, and Mallerstang and the upper Eden valley.

£12.95 (P&P may apply)

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Mountain Biking Adventures: Multi-day Routes in Northern Britain

Over the last two decades, mountain biking has developed enormously as a “sport”. We greatly admire the technical and athletic capabilities of modern day mountain bikers and recognise that many excellent guides have been written and custom-built trails set up. In this guide we try to reopen a sense of adventure and wilderness to mountain biking, providing multi-day routes with a remoteness, continuity and “arc” missing from many modern guides with their focus on day and half day outings.

UK £13.95 ( inc. P&P)

View Book

Settle to Carlisle – Hill Walk with Return by Classic Train Route

With over 22,000 ft of ascent in 105 miles set out over 8 days, this walk sets out from Settle, taking in the classic summits of the North Yorkshire Dales, Howgills, Eastern and Northern Lakeland Fells, to arrive at Carlisle. The return journey to Settle by one of the classic train journeys. Illustrated with photographs and route maps.

£12.95 (P&P may apply)

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Alternative start to the Malham Circular walk

Note, this is now fully described in the Second Edition of "Hillwalks from the Settle to Carlisle Railway Stations", 2014, walk 1b. If the long Langcliffe Scar track does not appeal, but a bit more hillwork does, try this start: as per the book, walk 1, but at the Malham/Settle road turn right … Read More » about Alternative start to the Malham Circular walk

The Highfields walk, Halton with Aughton.

Another plague walk which we could do from home, and although this seems to be a popular walk for locals, we had never done it, and decided to do it both because of that and as we thought it would be less popular and hence less boot-churned muddy than others round Caton and the Bowland Fells. The … Read More » about The Highfields walk, Halton with Aughton.

A Clougha Pike circuit, avoiding Rigg Lane.

I.e. avoiding any crowds parking there. Start at Little Cragg car park and go down the road, turning right to go over the top of Baines Crag for your first view of Morecambe Bay and the Lakeland Fells. At the road go down then left over the first ladder stile and cross the infant Condor by stone or … Read More » about A Clougha Pike circuit, avoiding Rigg Lane.

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