27th September 2020 - Gragareth
Walk Details
Distance walked: 9.4 miles
Total ascent: 1973 ft
OS map used: OL2 - Yorkshire Dales, Southern & Western areas
Time taken: 6.5 hrs
Route description: Masongill Fell Lane-Tow Scar Road-Westgate Lane-Thornton Lane-Hunt's Cross-Tow Scar-Cheese Press Stone-Low Plain-Turbary Road-Turbary Pasture-Gragareth-Three Men of Gragareth-Gragareth-Ireby Fell-Marble Steps Pot-Turbary Road-Masongill Fell Lane
For the day of the weekend with the best weather I fancied having a walk in the western part of the Yorkshire Dales. I decided to head for this area so that I could take in the great all round views to be had across Morecambe Bay to the Lake District, and to the neighbouring fells in the western part of the Dales, and since it had been nearly three years that I'd last been on Gragareth, it was about time for another visit. It didn't disappoint as it turned out to be a lovely early autumn day for being on the fells, with clear, sunny skies, great visibility, and just a gentle breeze so that it felt warm in the sun.
From where I parked at the top of Masongill Fell Lane I walked down the track of Tow Scar Road to Westgate Lane, then up Westgate Lane to Thornton Lane, where I turned left and then walked along Thornton Lane into Kingsdale. I soon reached a public footpath on the left, which I took, then made my way southwest across the hillside to a track and a gate in a wall that let me reach the top of Hunt's Cross. After taking in the view I returned through the gate, followed the track west and then left it to visit the trig point on Tow Scar. From the trig point on Tow Scar I then made my way across the limestone pavement of Low Plain to the Cheese Press Stone. That found, I crossed Low Plain to reach the byway of Turbary Road. I followed this clear track north along the hillside above Kingsdale to its end on the hillside of Turbary Pasture above Yordas Wood (a patch of limestone pavement with a view of Braida Garth Farm provided a good place to stop for lunch). Time to head up. A fairly clear trod in the grass took me uphill by a wall to reach the summit wall on Gragareth, where a stile was crossed to reach the trig point on the other side of the fell. I went straight past the trig point though and down the hillside to visit the cairns of the Three Men of Gragareth. After having a break here and taking in the views I made my way back up to the trig point and south to the summit wall. At the wall corner at the top of Ireby Fell a stile was used to access this fellside so that I could make my way down Ireby Fell by the eastern side of its eastern boundary wall. About half way down I reached a path across the hillside past Marble Steps Pot (a path up the hillside let me visit Marble Steps Pot) to reach the track of Turbary Road. I followed this downhill back to where I was parked at the top of Masongill Fell Lane.
Total ascent: 1973 ft
OS map used: OL2 - Yorkshire Dales, Southern & Western areas
Time taken: 6.5 hrs
Route description: Masongill Fell Lane-Tow Scar Road-Westgate Lane-Thornton Lane-Hunt's Cross-Tow Scar-Cheese Press Stone-Low Plain-Turbary Road-Turbary Pasture-Gragareth-Three Men of Gragareth-Gragareth-Ireby Fell-Marble Steps Pot-Turbary Road-Masongill Fell Lane
For the day of the weekend with the best weather I fancied having a walk in the western part of the Yorkshire Dales. I decided to head for this area so that I could take in the great all round views to be had across Morecambe Bay to the Lake District, and to the neighbouring fells in the western part of the Dales, and since it had been nearly three years that I'd last been on Gragareth, it was about time for another visit. It didn't disappoint as it turned out to be a lovely early autumn day for being on the fells, with clear, sunny skies, great visibility, and just a gentle breeze so that it felt warm in the sun.
From where I parked at the top of Masongill Fell Lane I walked down the track of Tow Scar Road to Westgate Lane, then up Westgate Lane to Thornton Lane, where I turned left and then walked along Thornton Lane into Kingsdale. I soon reached a public footpath on the left, which I took, then made my way southwest across the hillside to a track and a gate in a wall that let me reach the top of Hunt's Cross. After taking in the view I returned through the gate, followed the track west and then left it to visit the trig point on Tow Scar. From the trig point on Tow Scar I then made my way across the limestone pavement of Low Plain to the Cheese Press Stone. That found, I crossed Low Plain to reach the byway of Turbary Road. I followed this clear track north along the hillside above Kingsdale to its end on the hillside of Turbary Pasture above Yordas Wood (a patch of limestone pavement with a view of Braida Garth Farm provided a good place to stop for lunch). Time to head up. A fairly clear trod in the grass took me uphill by a wall to reach the summit wall on Gragareth, where a stile was crossed to reach the trig point on the other side of the fell. I went straight past the trig point though and down the hillside to visit the cairns of the Three Men of Gragareth. After having a break here and taking in the views I made my way back up to the trig point and south to the summit wall. At the wall corner at the top of Ireby Fell a stile was used to access this fellside so that I could make my way down Ireby Fell by the eastern side of its eastern boundary wall. About half way down I reached a path across the hillside past Marble Steps Pot (a path up the hillside let me visit Marble Steps Pot) to reach the track of Turbary Road. I followed this downhill back to where I was parked at the top of Masongill Fell Lane.
Route map
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Setting off along Tow Scar Road
Tow Scar above to my left
Looking back along Tow Scar Road
The Forest of Bowland in the distance as Tow Scar Road heads down to meet Westgate Lane
Ingleborough from next to the road to Kingsdale
Kingsdale
Tow Scar from Hunt's Cross
The Forest of Bowland in the distance from Hunt's Cross
Ingleborough behind Twisleton Scar End
Looking down on the village of Ingleton
Great views of Ingleborough as I head up to the trig point on Tow Scar..
Ingleton with the fells of the Forest of Bowland in the distance
On the way from Tow Scar to Turbary Road and I had to make a diversion to the Cheese Press Stone, and its view to Ingleborough
Ingleborough from North End Scar
and the southern slopes of Gragareth
Onto the track of Turbary Road, which gives me views across Kingsdale to Whernside and Ingleborough...
Braida Garth Farm down in Kingsdale, with Ingleborough above Ewes Top
Zooming in on Ingleborough, and you might be able to make out the paragliders floating around its summit
Next to the big hole in the ground that is Rowten Pot
Looking across Kingsdale to Whernside
The eastern slopes of Gragareth above
Heading north along Turbary Road
At the end of Turbary Road, and I'll follow the wall up the hillside to Gragareth
There's a great view across Kingsdale to Ingleborough as I reach the top of the climb
An extensive view opens up with the moorland ridge heading north to Great Coum
I need to use the stile to cross the wall and visit the trig point on Gragareth
Passing a pool with reflected blue sky
The fantastic view of the Lake District fells in the distance to the northwest as I reach the trig point on Gragareth..
A rather hazy view of Morecambe Bay to the west
Distant Lake District fells, Middleton Fell, the Howgills and Crag Hill..
Ingleborough, and a distant Pendle Hill can be made out just to the left of the trig point
I've left the trig point and made my way down the hillside to the cairns of the Three Men of Gragareth. It's a great place to stop for a break and take in the view. Starting with looking down the valley of the River Lune to Morecambe Bay.
Lake District fells in the distance beyond the nearby Barbon Low Fell
Middleton Fell behind the slopes of Crag Hill
Middleton Fell, a little bit of the Howgills, Crag Hill and Great Coum
There are actually two pairs of three cairns. I think it's the ones higher up that are named on the map, but it doesn't matter because the view is just as good..
An hour after I left it I return to the trig point. I think it's worth taking a few photos before I head down.
Lake District fells in the distance beyond Barbon Low Fell and Middleton Fell..
Ingleborough on the left, with the distinctive outline of Pendle Hill in the distance on the right
Middleton Fell, the Howgills, Crag Hill and Great Coum
The Forest of Bowland in the distance as I leave the trig point behind to follow the wall down Gragareth's south ridge
Looking back to the trig point
This stone pillar at the top of the slope up from Kingsdale has a great view across to Ingleborough..
It's a beautiful end to the afternoon as I follow the wall downhill...
Looking back up the broad slopes of Gragareth
That stand of trees on the hillside hides Marble Steps Pot, which I'm going to visit. Rather than take a direct route across to it, I'll use a path up to it from one on the hillside below.
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Marble Steps Pot
Past another hole in the ground, which as far as I can tell doesn't have a name
A short walk down the track of Turbary Road and I'll be back to where I parked at the top of Masongill Fell Lane