Saturday 9th May — Bowderdale and The Calf

Walk leader: Miles

Meet time: 9.15am

Start time: 9.30am

Estimated finish time: About 3pm.

Distance: About 10.8 miles (17.4 kilometres).

Ascent: About 1900 feet (579 meters).

Ramblers walk grading: B (Moderate).

Start point: Bowderdale Farm

Link to Google Maps showing the exact start point: https://maps.app.goo.gl/DSuTzxt1BMineSgh7

Postcode: CA17 4NB

Car parking: Free parking in a wide flat grassy area by the road next to Bowderdale Farm.

It is the responsibility of each walker to make sure they understand where to park. If you are not sure where the car parking/meeting point is, you must contact the walk leader at the latest the day before the walk. You should not rely on mobile phones or postcodes. There is often no mobile reception near walk meeting points and postcodes are for the nearest place nearby but should only serve as a guideline. Please allow plenty of time to find a parking space so that walks can start promptly.

{—}

Description: This is a straightforward and rather leisurely walk as we leave the hamlet and pick up a track for half a kilometre. When we come to a clump of small woodland the track fades and we pick up a path that leads to the grassy ridgeline dividing the Bowderdale and Langdale valleys (in the Howgills this is called a “tongue”). But just before the path becomes any steeper we take the left fork which heads into the Bowderdale Valley.

This is a very straight valley and, as is typical of the Howgills, completely grassy. It feels like entering another world as we pass by hill tops and smaller tributary valleys. The ascent truly begins as the path passes Yarlside. It’s a moderate pull-up of about a 1000 feet. We keep following the path until we come to the Calf.

The Calf (676 meters) is the high point of the Howgills and a brilliant vantage point as the Lake District, Eden Valley, Northern Pennines, Cumbrian Pennines and Morecombe Bay can all be seen.

On the way back we take the high path and follow the Bowderdale/Langdale tongue for a few glorious miles. It’s quite something traversing a Howgills tongue and particularly the northern ones as they retain their height. We walk in the direction of Eden Valley. At last there is a descent, a grassy one, and it is a quick walk back to Bowderdale Farm.

This is a leisurely walk on very good terrain. For anyone new to the Howgills this is a great introduction as it captures the three quintessential features of the Howgills: The Calf, the valleys and the tongues.

Please fill out the Registration Form to join by 10pm on Friday 8 May if you are coming on this walk. If this doesn’t work then please contact the walk leader, Miles, on 07842 783319 (text or phone, WhatsApp, or message on Facebook (Miles Saunders-Priem)). When you register online, I will reply within 24 hours.

Please check the weather and bring appropriate clothing (waterproofs and spare warm clothing), footwear and enough food and water. The leader reserves the right to turn away any walker not suitably equipped. The leader may cancel the walk or modify the route dependent on conditions.

Car sharing may be possible – please contact the walk leader to arrange.

New members: please note the walk leader may ask for more information about your walking experience. This is to ensure you have the fitness required to complete the walk that is planned safely.

{—}