Pennine Walker, a photographic walking diary

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26th May 2013 - Thack Moor & Black Fell

Walk Details

Distance walked: 10.1 miles

Total ascent: 1947 ft

OS map used: OL31 - North Pennines

Time taken: 6 hrs

Route description: Renwick-lane to Outhwaite-Thack Moor-Watch Hill-Black Fell-Hartside Height-Hartside Pass-Selah Bridge-Raven Bridge-Renwick

Another fine day and todays walk is in the North Pennines. My only previous visit to the area was three years ago when I went up Cross Fell. There are a few other walks in this neck of the woods that I have plans to do so it shouldn't be another three years before I'm back here again.

After finding somewhere convenient to park in the village of Renwick my first task was to find the lane from the village that's signposted to Outhwaite. I then followed this until it turns sharp right and a track continues straight on. This track then takes you up the moor and onto access land. When it peters out the summit of Thack Moor isn't far to go. The next stretch was basically following the moorland crest from Thack Moor over Watch Hill and Black Fell to Hartside Height. A short descent then brings you to the noise and bustle of the Hartside Pass. My route back was to follow the bridleway down to Selah Bridge where it joins the lane back to Renwick.

Route map
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© Crown copyright. All rights reserved. License number PU 100034184.

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A sunny start to the day in the village of Renwick
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The Church of All Saints, Renwick
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Expanding views across the Eden valley as height is gained on the track up Thack Moor
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Onwards and upwards
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The trig point that marks the summit of Thack Moor. The high point has very recently been resurveyed and amended to 609.62m, taking it above the 2000ft mark by an inch.
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Despite the slight haze the Lake District fells can be made out on the other side of the Eden valley
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Zooming in and the distinctive saddle of Blencathra can be seen on the left with Skiddaw to the right
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An even hazier view of the eastern and far eastern fells
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Leaning over the wall to have a look across to Croglin Fell
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Fiend's Fell in the distance on the other side of the Hartside Pass with the faint outline of Cross Fell in the background
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Heading for Watch Hill
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Black Fell behind the substantial cairn on the summit of Watch Hill
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A retrospective view of Thack Moor
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On the summit of Black Fell, the high point of today's walk. That's Cross Fell in the distance, the highest summit in the Pennines and there are still a few patches of snow lingering on from the winter.
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The fence line points the way back to Thack Moor
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The big rolling hills of the Alston Moors..
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A hazy view towards Lakeland
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The neighbouring summit of Grey Nag
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Next stop, Hartside Height. Just follow the wall.
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Looking back to Black Fell from Hartside Height. That's Thack Moor in the background on the left.
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Cross Fell and Melmerby Fell from Hartside Height
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There's only a short walk downhill to reach the Hartside Pass where there were some tractors of varying vintages parked by the side of the road
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The Hartside Top cafe. Very popular with bikers and the road is too.
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An ornate milepost on the National Cycle Network just a short distance below the summit
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The Hartside Bothy. It's in private hands and is locked up.
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On the bridleway signposted for Selah Bridge and a long descent back to Renwick
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Ricker Gill Bridge. Recently rebuilt.
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Road walking back to Renwick. At least the sun has reappeared.
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Raven Beck from Raven Bridge. The distinctive red sandstone that is a popular building material in the Eden valley can be seen on the right hand side of the bed of the beck.
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Eden valley farmland
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Back in Renwick

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© Alan Kilduff 2016-2023                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
  • HOME
  • About this site
  • Walking Diaries
    • Walking Diary 2022
    • 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
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  • Forest of Bowland, Pendle & West Pennine Moors Walks
  • South Pennines Walks
  • Walks in other areas
  • Links Page