Terrain Overview
Walk Overview
This walk takes place in probably one of the most remote areas in all of Lakeland.
To find the start point itself is a challenge (which I will try and explain) and with the
exception of the start along the Old Corpse Road upto Langhowe Pike this walk
is completely pathless (save from the odd few grass trods that appear and disappear)
so it is essential to have good weather and clear visibility and accurate means
of navigation, be that sat nav or map and compass
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 cattle grid at the start of the tarmac road that leads towards the Farm
The tarmac road leads all the way upto the Farm and about half a mile down on the right
a new footbridge crosses Swindale Beck
The footbridge crossing Swindale Beck. Once across swing right to pick up
the Old Corpse Road
After about 20 yards or so take the hairpin bend (indicated) and start out
towards Langhowe Pike along the old track
Setting out on the old Corpse Road which rises gently for about a mile
The track passes the feature of Trussgap Brow
Approaching the highest point of the Corpse Road and the grass trod makes a
sharp right turn to lead on to the open fell side
Once you have made the sharp turn the track meanders (sometimes intermittantly)
towards the summit of Langhowe Pike
Aim for between the two areas of high ground
Looking right towards Kidsty Pike from the track
Approaching the summit of Langhowe Pike
On the summit of Langhowe Pike. Click here for 360 degree view
We now set off to follow a very sketch trail towards the second summit of
the day, that of Great Ladstones
The pathless trek over very spongy ground
Look out for the only notable feature on this transition that of Rowantree Crag
Keep to the right of the crag across very boggy ground
After more pathless transition past the crag, eventually the higher ground
of Great Ladstones can be seen. At this point a path re-emerges
The path leads upwards again past a belt of crags which can be avoided by keeping right
The very welcome sight of the summit cairn on Great Ladstones
On the summit of Great Ladstones. Click here for a 360 degree view
From the summit a faint grass trod leads off southerly towards the high ground
in the distance and Seat Robert
The only prominent feature on the way to Seat Robert is that of Gambling Crag.
Keep to the right of this feature and prepare to swing right towards Seat Robert
Fairly soon the distinctive top of Seat Robert comes into view
The summit shelter cairn on Seat Robert
The summit of Seat Robert. Click here for a 360 degree view
Stopping for lunch in the shelter cairn
The old battered Trig point that has seen better days
Spuds waits patiently for his dinner
Setting off on the track to High Weather Howe
This was perhaps the most confusing part of the walk due to the
intermittent nature of the path. Just keep heading South Westerly
Eventually a fence line appears, here we made the mistake of crossing it
when there was no need to. Just follow the line round as it swings gradually left
Eventually the summit of High Weather Howe comes into view
The summit cairn on High Weather Howe. Click here for a 360 degree view
We then set off for the final fell of the day that of Fewling Stones. This part of
the walk was probably the best in terms of ground condition and a fairly
good grassy trod to follow
Approaching the summit of Fewling Stones
Spud on the summit of Fewling Stones. Click here for a 360 degree view
We now swing right to travel in a northerly direction to get back to the start. In so
doing we will pass the very distincive Beastmans Crag
Keep to the left of the crag
Swinging left we now head for Gouther Crag and follow the line of the wall
round the corner
Follow the Quad Bike trail over the Beck and prepare to turn immediate left
Follow the track that runs parallel with Gouther Crag Gill
The waterfall at Gouther Crag Gill - stunning
The path back down cross an area of dense bracken
Gird the loins for a steep and rocky descent down Gouther Crag !!
The path cuts through some dense bracken, but is easy to
follow and leads directly to the footbridge ove Swindale Beck that was crossed
at the very start of the walk
