4th October 2024 - Wild Boar Fell
Walk Details
Distance walked: 11.2 miles
Total ascent: 2375 ft
OS map used: OL19 - Howgill Fells & Upper Eden Valley
Time taken: 6.5 hrs
Route description: Old quarry on minor road next to A683-road to Uldale House-Needlehouse Gill-Uldale Gill-Swarth Fell-Wild Boar Fell-High Dolphinsty-Stennerskeugh Clouds-Fell End Clouds-Old quarry on minor road next to A683
Today is my Friday off work and I've decided to head to the far north of the Yorkshire Dales for a walk. The route that I've decided to do will take me up onto Swarth Fell and Wild Boar Fell, both of which I've visited several times. On all but one of those occasions I've started the walk from Cotegill Bridge in Mallerstang, making the ascent and descent across the eastern slopes of the two fells. That time that I didn't set off from Mallerstang was a long twelve years ago when I started from near Fell End below the western slopes of Wild Boar Fell, and that's where I've gone to today. It means that I can also take in the limestone ridges of Stennerskeugh Clouds and Fell End Clouds. The forecast is for a fine autumn day, but with the skies tending to cloud over through the afternoon. I set off in the morning with plenty of blue skies and sunshine, although I could see increasing cloud approaching from the west as I was making my way up to the col between Swarth Fell and Wild Boar Fell. The sun finally disappeared while I was on Wild Boar Fell as it became pretty dull and overcast, and it felt quite chilly in the strong breeze.
After parking my car in the old quarry at the northern end of the minor road next to the A683, I walked south along the road to the junction with the road to Uldale, then walked south along that road until I'd passed New House and the road started to head downhill into conifer plantations. The road was left behind here for access land, which I made my way uphill on to the side of Needlehouse Gill, around the steepest part of Grain Gill, and then up by Uldale Gill to the col between Wild Boar Fell and Swarth Fell (with a stop for lunch near the top of Uldale Gill). From the top of Uldale Gill I made my way up to the summit of Swarth Fell, took in the view, returned to the col, and then made my way up onto Wild Boar Fell. Once I'd taken in the view from there I made my way from The Nab down to High Dolphinsty, from where I took the bridleway down towards Stennerskeugh. When the bridleway approached the edge of access land opposite High Stennerskeugh I left it to make my way up onto Stennerskeugh Clouds, and then across to Fell End Clouds. Once I'd taken in the view from there I made way downhill to a track, which took me to the road below. A walk north along it took me back to where I'd parked my car.
Total ascent: 2375 ft
OS map used: OL19 - Howgill Fells & Upper Eden Valley
Time taken: 6.5 hrs
Route description: Old quarry on minor road next to A683-road to Uldale House-Needlehouse Gill-Uldale Gill-Swarth Fell-Wild Boar Fell-High Dolphinsty-Stennerskeugh Clouds-Fell End Clouds-Old quarry on minor road next to A683
Today is my Friday off work and I've decided to head to the far north of the Yorkshire Dales for a walk. The route that I've decided to do will take me up onto Swarth Fell and Wild Boar Fell, both of which I've visited several times. On all but one of those occasions I've started the walk from Cotegill Bridge in Mallerstang, making the ascent and descent across the eastern slopes of the two fells. That time that I didn't set off from Mallerstang was a long twelve years ago when I started from near Fell End below the western slopes of Wild Boar Fell, and that's where I've gone to today. It means that I can also take in the limestone ridges of Stennerskeugh Clouds and Fell End Clouds. The forecast is for a fine autumn day, but with the skies tending to cloud over through the afternoon. I set off in the morning with plenty of blue skies and sunshine, although I could see increasing cloud approaching from the west as I was making my way up to the col between Swarth Fell and Wild Boar Fell. The sun finally disappeared while I was on Wild Boar Fell as it became pretty dull and overcast, and it felt quite chilly in the strong breeze.
After parking my car in the old quarry at the northern end of the minor road next to the A683, I walked south along the road to the junction with the road to Uldale, then walked south along that road until I'd passed New House and the road started to head downhill into conifer plantations. The road was left behind here for access land, which I made my way uphill on to the side of Needlehouse Gill, around the steepest part of Grain Gill, and then up by Uldale Gill to the col between Wild Boar Fell and Swarth Fell (with a stop for lunch near the top of Uldale Gill). From the top of Uldale Gill I made my way up to the summit of Swarth Fell, took in the view, returned to the col, and then made my way up onto Wild Boar Fell. Once I'd taken in the view from there I made my way from The Nab down to High Dolphinsty, from where I took the bridleway down towards Stennerskeugh. When the bridleway approached the edge of access land opposite High Stennerskeugh I left it to make my way up onto Stennerskeugh Clouds, and then across to Fell End Clouds. Once I'd taken in the view from there I made way downhill to a track, which took me to the road below. A walk north along it took me back to where I'd parked my car.
Route map
© Crown copyright. All rights reserved. License number PU 100034184.
Setting off, I walk south along the road towards Uldale..
Looking back to Fell End Clouds up on the right
Over the wall to my right; Wandale Hill, Green Bell, Grere Fell, and Adamthwaite Bank in the Howgills
Along with Harter Fell
Onto the road to Uldale
Looking back to Harter Fell
To my right; Cautley Crag, Yarlside, and Wandale Hill in the Howgills
The rising slopes of Wild Boar Fell and Swarth Fell
Following the road south and the northern end of Baugh Fell comes into view
The whitewashed New House provides a foreground for a view of the Howgills
As the road starts to head downhill and approaches the conifer plantations I'm going to leave it for access land on the left
Rough ground underfoot as I head uphill
I have a great view of the Howgills when I look back
Higher up and I'm now beside Needlehouse Gill
Looking down the steep sided Needlehouse Gill
Making my way up the hillside to the north of Uldale Gill and I stop to take in this view of the Howgills
I'm heading for the col between Wild Boar Fell on the left and Swarth Fell on the right
A view of the Howgills from my lunch stop near the top of Uldale Gill
and again from the top of Uldale Gill, after my lunch stop. I can't help but notice the increasing cloud.
I cross the fence at the col between Wild Boar Fell and Swarth Fell
On the summit of Swarth Fell. Looking northeast to High White Scar on Wild Boar Fell, Mallerstang Edge, High Seat, and Hangingstone Scar.
Widdale Fell and Great Knoutberry Hill to the southeast
Great Knoutberry Hill, Ingleborough, Whernside and Baugh Fell
Looking west to the Howgills and the distant Lake District fells
Lunds Fell on the other side of Mallerstang, with the fells around Wensleydale in the distance
I make my way north along the eastern edge of Swarth Fell, and then towards Wild Boar Fell..
Looking back to Swarth Fell Tarn and Swarth Fell
There's a real contrast between the sunlit moor and the darkening clouds
Cairns on the western edge of Wild Boar Fell gives me views of the Howgills, with the Lake District fells in the far distance..
Sand Tarn below
At the recently rebuilt trig point and shelter on Wild Boar Fell
Looking south from Yoadcomb Scar to Penyghent, Great Knoutberry Hill, Ingleborough, Whernside, Baugh Fell, and Swarth Fell
Lunds Fell and the head of Mallerstang
I make my way north along the edge to Blackbed Scar and The Nab
On The Nab. The best view is looking south up Mallerstang, with Widdale Fell, Great Knoutberry Hill, Ingleborough, and Whernside in the distance. It's a shame that the skies have now largely clouded over.
Little Fell to the north, with the North Pennines in the distance
High Seat and Hangingstone Scar on the other side of Mallerstang
Looking back up to The Nab..
..as I make my way down to High Dolphinsty. The bridleway that I'm joining goes through the gate in the wall.
Following the bridleway down towards Stennerskeugh..
Looking back up the northern slopes of Wild Boar Fell
As the bridleway approaches High Stennerskeugh below on the right I'll leave the bridleway for Stennerskeugh Clouds
Making my way up onto Stennerskeugh Clouds
Looking north across Ash Fell and the Eden Valley to the distant North Pennines
Fell End Clouds on the left, with Cautley Crag, Yarlside, and Harter Fell in the Howgills on the right
Looking back to Stennerskeugh Clouds as I make my way up onto Fell End Clouds
On Fell End Clouds. Middleton Fell is in the distance on the left, and the Howgills are on the right.
There's plenty of exposed limestone to negotiate as I make my way down to the road below...
I reach a track which will take me off access land when it meets the road below
A walk north along the road will take me back to where I've parked my car