Terrain Overview
Walk Overview
Howes at 1,930 feet is the 4th highest Wainwright Outlying Fell in the list. The route
to it is for two thirds of the way on a good track that is easy to follow. Navigation
becomes somewhat more difficult past the magnificent Mosedale Beck waterfalls
with a sketchy track in sometimes waist high grass. Getting to Nabs Moor is the
key, with Howes being a short pathless walk around a ridgeline.
Travelling north on the A6, head for Shap and at the northern end of the village
look out for a minor road on the left that is sign posted for Bampton and Haweswater.
This is Pow Lane and follow it to Rosgill which is sign posted. From Rosgill follow
the signs for Swindale which leads eventually at the Farm House. Traffic and
parking is restricted beyond a cattle grid, but there is a large grassy area on the
right where you can park freely
The start of the track that leads to Swindale Farm
Setting off down the track. Easy walking on a tarmac surface
Approaching a newly constructed bridge over Swindale Beck. The Farm just beyond
Passing through Swindale Farm. We will pass through a series of gates
to gain access on to the open fell side
United Utilities have teamed up RSPB to create a low level walk that is clearly
sign posted and is designed to protect the natural habitat of local wildlife
The first clear view of the route ahead towards Nabs Crags
The first of a series of handgates. At this point the path turns more rocky
The next handgate passing the second farmstead in the valley
The third handgate
Approaching the open fell side. The track is still good and easy to follow
At the end of the stone track take the left hand path
Looking back down Swindale valley from the track
The final handgate on the outward journey through which leads towards
a bridge that crosses Swindale Beck
Crossing Swindale Beck
The grass path still very easy to follow meanders through a series of moraines
as it climbs gently towards Nabs Crags
Looking towards the Mosedale Beck waterfalls, which we will visit later
The path reaches one of the RSPB trail markers. The left path leads to the waterfall.
We take the right hand path to start the climb up to Nabs Moor. At this point the
walk becomes much more strenuous on what has now become a sketchy path
*****
The track (as such) climbs above the waterfalls
So, at this point you face a choice. Head directly for the col between the two crags
OR veer left to go round the base of the left hand crag. Both routes are pathless
and tough walking, however the left hand route is less steep and does eventually
pick up a better path. We headed left
Near the base of the left hand crag and the path re-emerges
Looking back down Swindale valley from above the crags
At this point we are at the top of the main belt of crags and we turn right slightly
and head towards the scree shoot in the right of the picture aiming for the dip above
Heading towards the wire fence and the summit of Nabs Moor beyond
Heading towards the summit of Nabs Moor
Sue and Spud on the summit of Nabs Moor. Click here for a 360 degree view
We then set off towards Howes. Reasonably straightforward walking at this point
We bump into this little fellow en route to Howes
The route to the summit twists and turns through a series of crags
The path passes what Wainwright described as "Surprise Tarn"
Keeping right, look out for an area of rock outcrops. The summit lies beyond these
The summit cairn comes into view
The summit of Howes. Click here for a 360 degree view. As we returned to the car
we visited the very impressive waterfall here at Mosedale Beck. I can highly
recommend the short detour from the path at *****
