29th August 2021 - Bowland Knotts and Catlow Fell
Walk Details
Distance walked: 12.7 miles
Total ascent: 1964 ft
OS map used: OL41 - Forest of Bowland & Ribblesdale
Time taken: 6.5 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-Copped Hill Clough-New House-School Lane, Gisburn Forest
My second walk of the Bank Holiday weekend and 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 June that I did the exact same walk. 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. Unfortunately the weather wasn't as good as yesterday (it wasn't forecast to be), and after a bright start with quite a bit of sunshine cloud spread in from the northeast so that there was only a little bit of sunshine every now and then, and with a brisk and quite cool northeasterly breeze it felt quite different to the previous day.
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. After a break for lunch I made my way west along Bowland Knotts to the trig point, 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 at the top of Copped Hill Clough. I took this track, and then a footpath down by Copped Hill Clough to a footbridge over the River Hodder, and the path from there up to the barn of New House. I then retraced the steps of my outbound route back to where I was parked.
Total ascent: 1964 ft
OS map used: OL41 - Forest of Bowland & Ribblesdale
Time taken: 6.5 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-Copped Hill Clough-New House-School Lane, Gisburn Forest
My second walk of the Bank Holiday weekend and 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 June that I did the exact same walk. 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. Unfortunately the weather wasn't as good as yesterday (it wasn't forecast to be), and after a bright start with quite a bit of sunshine cloud spread in from the northeast so that there was only a little bit of sunshine every now and then, and with a brisk and quite cool northeasterly breeze it felt quite different to the previous day.
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. After a break for lunch I made my way west along Bowland Knotts to the trig point, 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 at the top of Copped Hill Clough. I took this track, and then a footpath down by Copped Hill Clough to a footbridge over the River Hodder, and the path from there up 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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Making my way through the woodland around Stocks Reservoir and into the open countryside..
Looking back to a less than full Stocks Reservoir as I follow the footpath..
..up to New House
Saddle Hill and White Hill
Pendle Hill, Stocks Reservoir and Easington Fell as I reach Pike Side
The enticing profile of Bowland Knotts appears ahead
Looking across Gisburn Forest towards Whelp Stone Crag
Just ten minutes after my previous photo of Bowland Knotts and the skies have pretty much clouded over
Looking back along the track to Pike Side
At my lunch stop on the eastern end of Bowland Knotts. Looking west across Keasden Road to the rest of Bowland Knotts, with White Hill and Catlow Fell in the distance.
Pendle Hill, Stocks Reservoir, and Easington Fell to the south
Warrendale Knotts, Rye Loaf Hill, a distant Barden Moor, and Whelp Stone Crag
Finally, looking northeast to a cloud topped Ingleborough, Penyghent and Fountains Fell
After crossing Keasden Road I pass a bench with a fantastic view
Views across to the Yorkshire Dales as I make my way through the crags to the trig point..
Pendle Hill in the distance
At the trig point on Bowland Knotts. Looking east to Warrendale Knotts, Rye Loaf Hill, a distant Barden Moor, and Whelp Stone Crag.
Pendle Hill to the south
Looking across the valley of the River Hodder to Saddle Hill
Catlow Fell to the west
Finally, looking across to Ingleborough, Penyghent, Fountains Fell, and Rye Loaf Hill in the Yorkshire Dales..
Leaving Bowland Knotts and heading for Cold Stone and Catlow Fell
The skies may be grey but the flowering heather provides some colour for taking in the view to 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
Pendle Hill, Stocks Reservoir and Easington Fell
Views back to Bowland Knotts as I leave Cold Stone behind and head up onto Catlow Fell..
Ingleborough, Penyghent and Fountains Fell in the distance, from the collection of rocks of Ravens Castle
and Pendle Hill
Following the fence across the top of Catlow Fell
White Hill, Ward's Stone and Caton Moor
A bit of sunshine brightens the view across to Ingleborough, Penyghent and Fountains Fell
Looking north to Gragareth, Whernside and Ingleborough after crossing the fence at Crowd Stones
Following the wall then fence down to the Lythe Fell Road
A bit of sunshine with some heather still flowering brightens the journey..
At the top of the Lythe Fell Road. The boulder on the right 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..
Looking across the River Hodder to Saddle Hill
Catlow Fell above the River Hodder as I walk up the road from 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
Bowland Knotts and Pike Side above Catlow Farm and Kenibus
I leave the Lythe Fell Road for a track, then footpath, down Copped Hill Clough..
Crossing the River Hodder
Heading back down to Gisburn Forest and Stocks Reservoir..
A last photo looking across Stocks Reservoir as I make it back to the car park