20th April 2024 - Bowland Knotts and Catlow Fell
Walk Details
Distance walked: 11.5 miles
Total ascent: 1682 ft
OS map used: OL41 - Forest of Bowland & Ribblesdale
Time taken: 7.5 hrs
Route description: School Lane, Gisburn Forest-New House-Pike Side-Bowland Knotts-Cold Stone-Catlow Fell-Cross of Greet-Lythe Fell Road-Cross of Greet Bridge-Lythe Fell Road-Kenibus-New House-School Lane, Gisburn Forest
For my walk this weekend I decided to head for Gisburn Forest in the Forest of Bowland and do a route that took in Bowland Knotts and Catlow Fell. It's familiar territory, and it was only last September that I did the exact same walk, so doing this route in April makes a change as the previous three years it's been in August or September. This corner of the AONB along with the northwestern corner around Clougha Pike are my favourite places in the Forest Bowland. Both have gritstone outcrops and crags to clamber about on, and fantastic views, assuming the weather co-operates. It did today, there were spells of warm spring sunshine, and good visibility for enjoying the long distance views from the tops of the fells.
After parking in the main car park on School Lane I took the footpath north along the track through the woodland of Gisburn Forest, across Hasgill Beck and up to the barn of New House. From New House I took a footpath up onto the hillside of Pike Side, then a track across Old Moss to reach Keasden Road and Bowland Knotts. I then made my way west along Bowland Knotts to the trig point, where I stopped for lunch, then down and up to Cold Stone, and then up onto and across Catlow Fell. When I reached the wall corner and fence junction at Crowd Stones I followed the fence down to the Lythe Fell Road and the Cross of Greet. I then had a long walk down the Lythe Fell Road ahead of me, to the Cross of Greet Bridge, and to the track to Catlow Farm. I took this track and followed the footpath along it towards Catlow Farm, then by the edge of woodland when the track turned to go up to Catlow Farm to reach another track, which took me south to the barn of New House. I then retraced the steps of my outbound route back to where I was parked.
Total ascent: 1682 ft
OS map used: OL41 - Forest of Bowland & Ribblesdale
Time taken: 7.5 hrs
Route description: School Lane, Gisburn Forest-New House-Pike Side-Bowland Knotts-Cold Stone-Catlow Fell-Cross of Greet-Lythe Fell Road-Cross of Greet Bridge-Lythe Fell Road-Kenibus-New House-School Lane, Gisburn Forest
For my walk this weekend I decided to head for Gisburn Forest in the Forest of Bowland and do a route that took in Bowland Knotts and Catlow Fell. It's familiar territory, and it was only last September that I did the exact same walk, so doing this route in April makes a change as the previous three years it's been in August or September. This corner of the AONB along with the northwestern corner around Clougha Pike are my favourite places in the Forest Bowland. Both have gritstone outcrops and crags to clamber about on, and fantastic views, assuming the weather co-operates. It did today, there were spells of warm spring sunshine, and good visibility for enjoying the long distance views from the tops of the fells.
After parking in the main car park on School Lane I took the footpath north along the track through the woodland of Gisburn Forest, across Hasgill Beck and up to the barn of New House. From New House I took a footpath up onto the hillside of Pike Side, then a track across Old Moss to reach Keasden Road and Bowland Knotts. I then made my way west along Bowland Knotts to the trig point, where I stopped for lunch, then down and up to Cold Stone, and then up onto and across Catlow Fell. When I reached the wall corner and fence junction at Crowd Stones I followed the fence down to the Lythe Fell Road and the Cross of Greet. I then had a long walk down the Lythe Fell Road ahead of me, to the Cross of Greet Bridge, and to the track to Catlow Farm. I took this track and followed the footpath along it towards Catlow Farm, then by the edge of woodland when the track turned to go up to Catlow Farm to reach another track, which took me south to the barn of New House. I then retraced the steps of my outbound route back to where I was parked.
Route map
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Setting off from beside a full Stocks Reservoir. I don't think I've seen it like that before.
Following the path through the woodland by Stocks Reservoir
The open countryside beckons as I leave the woodland around Stocks Reservoir behind
Following the footpath up to New House, with a look back to Stocks Reservoir...
I leave the track that passes New House, and take the footpath up Pike Side..
White Hill and Catlow Fell to my left
Looking back to Stocks Reservoir as I reach the top of the footpath up Pike Side
The enticing profile of Bowland Knotts appears ahead
Looking across Gisburn Forest to Whelp Stone Crag
and south to the South Pennines in the distance, with Pendle Hill on the right
Following the path up to Keasden Road below Bowland Knotts..
The highest summit of Bowland Knotts, which has a trig point on it, is the one just to left of centre
Looking back across Pike Side
Having reached Keasden Road I climb up onto the rocky outcrops that mark the eastern end of Bowland Knotts. Looking east to Rye Loaf Hill in the distance on the left, with Gisburn Forest and Whelp Stone Crag on the right.
Pendle Hill in the distance, and Keasden Road makes its way down to Stocks Reservoir
Looking west across Keasden Road to the rest of Bowland Knotts, with White Hill and Catlow Fell in the distance
Finally, to the north are Gragareth, Great Coum, Whernside and Ingleborough
After crossing Keasden Road I pass a bench with a fantastic view
Heading for the Bowland Knotts trig point, which is on top of the rise in the middle
There are lots of boulders and craggy outcrops to pass
At the trig point on Bowland Knotts
Taking in the view. Starting with looking north and northeast along Bowland Knotts to Whernside, Ingleborough, Penyghent, and Fountains Fell in the distance.
Whelp Stone Crag on the other side of Gisburn Forest
Pendle Hill and Easington Fell in the distance to the south
Looking across the valley of the River Hodder to Saddle Hill
Cold Stone and Catlow Fell to the west
Finally, Burn Moor to the left, with Gragareth, Great Coum, Whernside, and Ingleborough in the distance
Leaving Bowland Knotts; I cross the stile, turn left, and head for Cold Stone and Catlow Fell..
Taking in the view to Whernside, Ingleborough and Penyghent from the dip between Bowland Knotts and Cold Stone
A short but steep climb to Cold Stone
Looking back to Bowland Knotts from Cold Stone
and south to Pendle Hill, Stocks Reservoir and Easington Fell
Looking back to Bowland Knotts as I head up onto Catlow Fell..
The wall becomes a fence as I approach the top of Catlow Fell
Whernside, Ingleborough, Penyghent, and Fountains Fell in the distance, from the collection of rocks of Ravens Castle
and looking east back to Bowland Knotts
Pendle Hill to the south
Following the fence across the top of Catlow Fell
White Hill, Ward's Stone and Caton Moor
Whernside, Ingleborough, Penyghent, and Fountains Fell to the northeast
Before following the fence down to the Lythe Fell Road I followed this one north to take in the view across Burn Moor to the Lune Valley, and the Yorkshire Dales..
Across this fence, and then follow the wall and fence down to Lythe Fell Road
A look north along the fence to Gragareth, Great Coum, Whernside, and Ingleborough in the distance
Following the fence down to the Lythe Fell Road
To my right, views across Lythe Fell to Caton Moor and the Lune Valley in the distance..
..and across Burn Moor to Gragareth, Great Coum, Whernside, and Ingleborough in the distance
Glorious views from the top of the Lythe Fell Road
The boulder has a hole in its top, which once held the Cross of Greet
Walking down the Lythe Fell Road to the Cross of Greet Bridge...
Below the steep western slopes of Catlow Fell
The River Hodder at the Cross of Greet Bridge
Catlow Fell..
..and Bowland Knotts, and Pike Side from the road south of the Cross of Greet Bridge
From the Cross of Greet Bridge I continue walking south along the Lythe Fell Road
Looking back to Catlow Fell
I leave Lythe Fell Road for the footpath along the track to Catlow Farm..
Across the River Hodder
The footpath continues along the track towards Catlow Farm on the left, then leaves it to follow the edge of the woodland on the right..
Looking back to White Hill, and Catlow Farm below Catlow Fell
Heading back down to Gisburn Forest and Stocks Reservoir..
One last shot looking across the countryside around the River Hodder before I enter the woodland of Gisburn Forest, and head back to the car park..
