21st November 2015 - Grit Fell & Clougha Pike
Walk Details
Distance walked: 8.1 miles
Total ascent: 1805 ft
OS map used: OL41 - Forest of Bowland & Ribblesdale
Time taken: 4.5 hrs
Route description: Birk Bank car park on Rigg Lane-Birk Bank-Ottergear Bridge-Littledale Road-Baines Cragg-Littledale Road-track round the back of Clougha-Grit Fell-Clougha Pike-Clougha Scar-Birk Bank car park on Rigg Lane
I'll have company for my walk tomorrow so to make the most of a fine weekend in what is a decidedly unsettled spell of weather I decided to head for the northwestern corner of the Forest of Bowland for what is one of my favourite shortish walks, Clougha Pike. After all the mild weather so far this autumn there has finally been a change and it was quite a shock to the system. A bitterly cold northerly wind, a dusting of snow on the hills and the ground frozen underfoot. The excellent visibility did mean great views and photos.
From the car park I followed a path across Birk Bank and Ottergear Bridge to reach the shooters track that makes for the col between Ward's Stone and Grit Fell. Before I set off up it I made my way across the Littledale Road to pay Baines Cragg a visit. Every time I've done this walk I've glanced at it and thought, I must go and have a look at it sometime. So, after I did, I retraced my steps and made my way up the track, past the Andy Goldsworthy art installation and to the col between Grit Fell and Ward's Stone. I then made my way to the summit of Grit Fell before heading to Clougha Pike. My route back took me down Clougha Scar and through the woodland on Birk Bank to the car park.
Total ascent: 1805 ft
OS map used: OL41 - Forest of Bowland & Ribblesdale
Time taken: 4.5 hrs
Route description: Birk Bank car park on Rigg Lane-Birk Bank-Ottergear Bridge-Littledale Road-Baines Cragg-Littledale Road-track round the back of Clougha-Grit Fell-Clougha Pike-Clougha Scar-Birk Bank car park on Rigg Lane
I'll have company for my walk tomorrow so to make the most of a fine weekend in what is a decidedly unsettled spell of weather I decided to head for the northwestern corner of the Forest of Bowland for what is one of my favourite shortish walks, Clougha Pike. After all the mild weather so far this autumn there has finally been a change and it was quite a shock to the system. A bitterly cold northerly wind, a dusting of snow on the hills and the ground frozen underfoot. The excellent visibility did mean great views and photos.
From the car park I followed a path across Birk Bank and Ottergear Bridge to reach the shooters track that makes for the col between Ward's Stone and Grit Fell. Before I set off up it I made my way across the Littledale Road to pay Baines Cragg a visit. Every time I've done this walk I've glanced at it and thought, I must go and have a look at it sometime. So, after I did, I retraced my steps and made my way up the track, past the Andy Goldsworthy art installation and to the col between Grit Fell and Ward's Stone. I then made my way to the summit of Grit Fell before heading to Clougha Pike. My route back took me down Clougha Scar and through the woodland on Birk Bank to the car park.
Route map
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Looking across the Condor valley as I follow the path across Birk Bank
Baines Cragg appears ahead. I'm going to make a detour to visit it
On Baines Cragg
Looking northeast to the distant Howgills and Middleton Fell
Across Littledale and up to Ward's Stone
Morecambe Bay and a long line of Lake District fells
Finally, Caton Moor
Looking back to Baines Cragg as I take the track up Clougha
There's a fantastic view from three cairns not far from the track. A convenient point to stop and take it in.
A dusting of snow, to which I'm adding my footprints to those of the fellrunners I've seen today
The Andy Goldsworthy art installation
Ward's Stone and the fells around the Trough of Bowland from the summit of Grit Fell
Heading for Clougha Pike. The frozen ground made the going a little easier. What a view to be walking towards...
Finally made it to Clougha Pike. Looking along Clougha Scar to Morecambe Bay and the Lake District. I had hoped to see the sunset but the amount of cloud around especially out in the Irish Sea means it isn't looking likely.
The Fylde coast..
..and the Lune estuary
In the distance, Whernside, Ingleborough and Penyghent in the Yorkshire Dales
I hung around for a while until I was sure that the sunset wasn't on but it's time I was making tracks with heading down Clougha Scar
The setting sun on the far eastern fells of the Lake District..
..and the Howgills
A final shot back to Clougha Pike