The start at Staveley                                                                            Leaving Higill Fell

After coming through heavy showers on the motorway, the weather looked more promising for the 18 people who turned up for the start of this walk. Soon we were climbing Reston Scar and continuing on and over heather covered Hugill Fell, both of which are Wainwright’s Outlying Fells. By now the sun was out and jumpers removed as we made our descent to Scraggs Bridge. The River Kent was quite a sight to see, being in full flow after all the recent rains.

Passing Elfhowe we made our way along the bridleway, sometimes a bit soggy in places, contouring above Skeggles Water before dropping down towards Sadgill with superb views of Longsleddale and the fells above Gatescarth Pass. After another climb we descended to Spout Howe farm turning left along Low Lane track to reach our lunch time stop in a field which had a very convenient number of well-placed rocks for us to sit on.

Lunch time over, we walked into Kentmere hamlet and, after passing the church and Kentmere Hall, took an uphill track which led us to stepping stone crossing Park Beck.  Our route didn’t take us over these but turned left along the bridleway leading to Croft Head and Ulthwaite Bridge crossing twice over stepping stones on the way.

Another short pull up led us within sight and reach of Williamson’s Monument which is on private land and unfortunately has no access to it. Now it was downhill all the way, steeply at times, through farmland to reach the main road and, after ¼ mile, we got back to our cars about 3.40pm.

We had had a day of lovely weather, fantastic views and, as always, good company.

Doreen

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