Pennine Walker, a photographic walking diary

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25th June 2017 - Grit Fell and Clougha Pike

Walk Details

Distance walked: 6.2 miles

Total ascent: 1257 ft

OS map used: OL41 - Forest of Bowland & Ribblesdale

Time taken: 3 hrs

Route description: Birk Bank car park on Rigg Lane-Birk Bank-Ottergear Bridge-track round the back of Clougha Pike-Grit Fell-Clougha Pike-Clougha Scar-Birk Bank car park on Rigg Lane


I didn't make the best of decisions about which day to head out on this weekend. With hindsight it should have been yesterday. The weather was much better than originally forecast and then the overnight rain took longer to clear than it was supposed to. It meant that I didn't start this walk in the Forest of Bowland until after lunchtime. With the weather improving from the northwest I thought that a walk up Clougha Pike would be a good idea. It proved to be the case with some sunny spells and great views to enjoy.

​From the car park I followed the path north across Birk Bank and Ottergear Bridge to reach the shooters track that makes for the col between Ward's Stone and Grit Fell. I followed this up round the back of Clougha Pike to its top and from there to the top of Grit Fell. There was a brief stop to take in the view before continuing westwards 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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© Crown copyright. All rights reserved. License number PU 100034184.

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On the path across Birk Bank
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Almost as soon as I get onto the track round the back of Clougha Pike I have a view across Morecambe Bay to the Lake District fells
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Then higher up there's the Howgills, Middleton Fell, Great Coum, Whernside, Ingleborough and Penyghent in the Yorkshire Dales
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It's hard to stop turning round when there's this behind me
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The track now makes its way across the northern slopes of Grit Fell towards the gap between Ward's Stone and Grit Fell
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Whernside, Ingleborough and Penyghent from the summit of Grit Fell
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Ward's Stone and the fells around the Trough of Bowland
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First class views as I head for Clougha Pike..
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I couldn't resist looking over the wall to take a photo of Whernside, Ingleborough and Penyghent
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Cotton grass on the moor
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Bowland grit
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Morecambe Bay and the Lake District fells from the trig point on Clougha Pike
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The Lune estuary
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The view from northwest round to east is the highlight of being up here...
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Heading down Clougha Scar
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The Lune estuary as I leave Clougha Scar
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Looking back to Clougha Pike
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Morecambe Bay and the Lake District fells over the top of Windy Clough
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Descending into the woodland on Birk Bank
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Duckboards are essential for crossing the marshy ground
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The marshy ground is providing a fine display of flowering bog asphodel..
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A beautiful end to the afternoon as I arrive back at the car park on Rigg Lane

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© Alan Kilduff 2016-2021                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
  • HOME
  • About this site
  • Walking Diaries
    • Walking Diary 2021
    • Walking Diary 2020
    • Walking Diary 2019
    • Walking Diary 2018
    • Walking Diary 2017
    • Walking Diary 2016
    • Walking Diary 2015
    • Walking Diary 2014
    • Walking Diary 2013
    • Walking Diary 2012
    • Walking Diary 2011
    • Walking Diary 2010
    • Walking Diary 2009
    • Walking Diary 2008
  • Lake District Walks
  • Peak District Walks
  • Yorkshire Dales Walks
  • Forest of Bowland, Pendle & West Pennine Moors Walks
  • South Pennines Walks
  • Walks in other areas
  • Links Page