6th April 2026 - A Langden Round
Walk Details
Distance walked: 10.6 miles
Total ascent: 1809 ft
OS map used: OL41 - Forest of Bowland & Ribblesdale
Time taken: 7.5 hrs
Route description: Parking area at Langden Intake on the Trough of Bowland road-Langden Brook-Langden Castle-Fiendsdale-Fiendsdale Head-Fair Snape Fell-Totridge-Hareden Farm-Parking area at Langden Intake on the Trough of Bowland road
I decided to head for the Forest of Bowland for my second walk of this long Easter weekend. With a fine spring day forecast, and it being quite dry during recent weeks, I decided today was a good one for another walk in the area. The route I went for was familiar, having done it several times before, the last one in March 2025, taking in the valley of Langden Brook, Fair Snape Fell and Totridge. I set off from Langden Intake by the Trough of Bowland road in the morning with a lot of thick high cloud in the sky and any sunshine hazy, but as I made my way up onto the moors for the afternoon a lot of this cleared away. I enjoyed plenty of spells of warm spring sunshine for this section of the walk, and with good visibility there were great views of the surrounding moorland to take in.
From the parking area at Langden Intake I made my way up the access road to the waterworks before taking the footpath up the valley of Langden Brook to the ruin of Langden Castle. Past here and I took the path signposted for Fiendsdale Head. This soon crossed Langden Brook and then I followed it up Fiendsdale to eventually arrive at Fiendsdale Head. From there I followed the fence up to the summit of Fair Snape Fell, marked by a large cairn with a post in it, before heading across to the trig point and shelter to have my lunch. I then backtracked to the summit to continue with following the fence and then wall along the moorland ridge to the summit of Totridge. That part of the walk would potentially have been the boggiest, but it wasn't too bad and just a bit squelchy in places. I then made my way down by a concessionary path to reach the bridleway down to Hareden Farm. A concessionary path from the farm's access road follows Langden Brook north back to the start at Langden Intake.
Total ascent: 1809 ft
OS map used: OL41 - Forest of Bowland & Ribblesdale
Time taken: 7.5 hrs
Route description: Parking area at Langden Intake on the Trough of Bowland road-Langden Brook-Langden Castle-Fiendsdale-Fiendsdale Head-Fair Snape Fell-Totridge-Hareden Farm-Parking area at Langden Intake on the Trough of Bowland road
I decided to head for the Forest of Bowland for my second walk of this long Easter weekend. With a fine spring day forecast, and it being quite dry during recent weeks, I decided today was a good one for another walk in the area. The route I went for was familiar, having done it several times before, the last one in March 2025, taking in the valley of Langden Brook, Fair Snape Fell and Totridge. I set off from Langden Intake by the Trough of Bowland road in the morning with a lot of thick high cloud in the sky and any sunshine hazy, but as I made my way up onto the moors for the afternoon a lot of this cleared away. I enjoyed plenty of spells of warm spring sunshine for this section of the walk, and with good visibility there were great views of the surrounding moorland to take in.
From the parking area at Langden Intake I made my way up the access road to the waterworks before taking the footpath up the valley of Langden Brook to the ruin of Langden Castle. Past here and I took the path signposted for Fiendsdale Head. This soon crossed Langden Brook and then I followed it up Fiendsdale to eventually arrive at Fiendsdale Head. From there I followed the fence up to the summit of Fair Snape Fell, marked by a large cairn with a post in it, before heading across to the trig point and shelter to have my lunch. I then backtracked to the summit to continue with following the fence and then wall along the moorland ridge to the summit of Totridge. That part of the walk would potentially have been the boggiest, but it wasn't too bad and just a bit squelchy in places. I then made my way down by a concessionary path to reach the bridleway down to Hareden Farm. A concessionary path from the farm's access road follows Langden Brook north back to the start at Langden Intake.
Route map
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I start by walking up the road to the waterworks buildings at Langden Intake
Following the path by Langden Brook and there are great views of this secluded valley...
Approaching Langden Castle with the hillside of Bleadale Nab ahead
Looking back down Langden Brook
Heading down to cross Langden Brook and then take the path up into Fiendsdale on the left..
Fiendsdale as I follow the path up the valley......
The moorland becomes broad and featureless as I approach Fiendsdale Head
Looking back and the view opens up to the north to Wolfhole Crag and its surrounding fells..
Moorland rises to Fair Snape Fell
Bleasdale Moors to the west
At Fiendsdale Head
Heading for Fair Snape Fell
Looking back to the northwest to the Bleasdale Moors and Hawthornthwaite Fell
At the cairn that marks the high point of Fair Snape Fell
Heading for the Paddy's Pole cairn on Fair Snape Fell
As I head for the trig point on Fair Snape Fell I can make out the coast and Morecambe Bay beyond Hazelhurst Fell to my right
and Ward's Stone in the distance beyond Hawthornthwaite Fell
At the Paddy's Pole cairn on Fair Snape Fell
Pendle Hill and Longridge Fell to the southeast
At the trig point on Fair Snape Fell. I can make out the Lake District fells in the distance beyond the nearby Bleasdale Moors.
The distinctive profile of Ingleborough in the Yorkshire Dales in the distance
Oakenclough Fell and Hazelhurst Fell to the west..
Parlick and Beacon Fell to the south
Returning to the cairn that marks the high point of Fair Snape Fell
The visibility has improved since I passed this way an hour ago. The coast and Morecambe Bay beyond Hazelhurst Fell to my left are now clear to see.
Back at the cairn that marks the high point of Fair Snape Fell. The visibility is now good enough for a great all-round view. Totridge to the east on the left and Pendle Hill in the distance on the right.
The outline of the Lake District fells in the distance to the northwest beyond Hawthornthwaite Fell
Looking to the northeast with Ward's Stone on the left, and I can make out Whernside, Ingleborough, and Penyghent beyond the Bowland fells of Wolfhole Crag and White Hill
Finally, Totridge to the east
Leaving Fair Snape Fell and I have a long walk by this fence to reach Totridge
A War Department boundary stone
Following the fence towards Totridge and it's a lovely spring afternoon for taking in the Bowland scenery
Pendle Hill in the distance on the other side of the Ribble Valley
Looking north across Bowland to Ward's Stone, Wolfhole Crag, Whins Brow, and White Hill..
Taking a detour around a moorland pool. It takes a lot of dry weather for the Bowland fells to become anything less than boggy underfoot.
Looking across to Parlick from Burnslack Fell
At the fence junction on Burnslack Fell I turn left, and follow that one towards Totridge..
A wall makes a good foreground for a photo of Waddington Fell and Pendle Hill
A wall joins the fence. The summit of Totridge isn't that far away now.
Looking back to Fair Snape Fell
and across to Pendle Hill in the distance, and Longridge Fell below on the right
Whitmore Fell
At the trig point on Totridge (it's leaning not me)
Looking back across to Parlick and Fair Snape Fell
Hawthornthwaite Fell, Grit Fell, Ward's Stone, and Top of Blaze Moss to the northwest
To the northeast; Wolfhole Crag, Whins Brow, White Hill, and Beatrix Fell. I can make out Great Coum, Whernside, Ingleborough, Penyghent, and Fountains Fell in the Yorkshire Dales in the distance.
There's a great view from the top of the path down from Totridge. Whins Brow, White Hill, Baxton Fell, Staple Oak Fell, and Beatrix Fell.
Beatrix Fell, Mellor Knoll, the Hodder valley, and Hodder Bank Fell
On my way down and I pause to take in the view across the Hodder valley to Hodder Bank Fell and Easington Fell, with Pendle Hill in the distance
Following the concessionary footpath and then bridleway down to Hareden Farm, surrounded by the fells by the road to the Trough of Bowland.....
Hareden Brook at Hareden Farm
Looking back to Totridge above Hareden Farm
Following the path by Langden Brook back to Langden Intake...
A last look down the valley of Langden Brook at the end of a lovely afternoon