Yorkshire Dales
15.9km/10 miles 5½ hours
1 SD658921 From the car park walk up Joss Lane, which heads north and then northeast to reach a wooden gate. Continue on a track, which passes next to a barn and veers north for Settlebeck Gill. Go through a swinging gate set within a drystone wall to emerge onto a narrow path. Continue north following the stream, go through another gate, and arrive at a final metal gate that leads to the open fellside. Veer left on a track, which zigzags uphill, and then follow the Dales High Way north. After 800m, aim directly for the col between Winder and Arant Haw. Turn right on the main ridge path briefly and then veer left off it onto a trod that leads to the summit of Arant Haw.
2 SD662946 Gently descend north-east on a good path and pick up the Dales High Way, which veers north to the col at Rowantree Grains. Pass a fold on your left and two undulating bumps in the ridgeline on your right to reach a wooden fence. Climb steeply north alongside the fence and dog-leg sharply east before turning north again to the 674m summit of Calders.
3 SD670960 Head north to pass to the right of Bram Rigg Top (or visit it, if so inclined), drop down to another col, and then ascend easily to the 676m trig point of The Calf, the highest point of the Howgills. Head north-east on the Dales High Way to reach a path junction next to a small tarn and take the right fork to descend east. After 330m, veer off the path to follow a small tributary over rough, steep ground to Swere Gill. Follow the stream east on a faint trod to pick up the Force Gill Beck path arriving from the south. Emerge at the head of Cautley Spout, above the falls, taking great care to avoid the precipitous, rocky drops below.
4 SD680975 Exercise caution as you descend steeply east on stone pitched steps next to the dramatic waterfall. As you reach the valley, bear left on a clearer track that heads south-east following Cautley Holme Beck to a small wooden footbridge. Take the A Pennine Journey path south, go through a gate and bear right to pass above a derelict barn. Continue south, contouring the eastern edge of the Howgill Fells on a good track. Pass through a series of fields, cross Hollow Gill and Rooker Gill, go through several gates and arrive at Fawcett Bank.
5 SD684940 Continue south through a small section of woodland to reach the minor road at Thursgill. Press on south to Buckbank and walk along the banks of the River Rawthey to reach the A683 at Straight Bridge. Cross the busy road and continue on the path, which follows the river west to arrive into Sedbergh next to Settlebeck School. Turn left on Long Lane and continue west heading into the town, before bearing right on Main Street and returning to Joss Lane car park.