9th March 2025 - A Langden Round
Walk Details
Distance walked: 10.6 miles
Total ascent: 1809 ft
OS map used: OL41 - Forest of Bowland & Ribblesdale
Time taken: 6.5 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 walk this weekend. With a fine spring day forecast, and it being quite dry during recent weeks, I decided today was a good one for a walk in the area. The route I went for was familiar, having done it several times before, the last one in April 2022, 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 lots of blue skies and sunshine, and that's the way it stayed for the rest of the day, although some high cloud turned the sunshine hazy at times, and a haze restricted the views to the nearby fells.
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: 6.5 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 walk this weekend. With a fine spring day forecast, and it being quite dry during recent weeks, I decided today was a good one for a walk in the area. The route I went for was familiar, having done it several times before, the last one in April 2022, 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 lots of blue skies and sunshine, and that's the way it stayed for the rest of the day, although some high cloud turned the sunshine hazy at times, and a haze restricted the views to the nearby fells.
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
I start by walking up the road to the waterworks buildings at Langden Intake
I soon reach the footpath up the valley of Langden Brook
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
Taking the path to Fiendsdale Head
Looking back down Langden Brook
Heading down to cross Langden Brook and then take the path up into Fiendsdale on the left..
Looking towards Stransdale Nab as I cross Langden Brook
Fiendsdale as I follow the path up the valley...
The view opens up to the north to Wolfhole Crag and its surrounding fells as I reach Fiendsdale Head
Heading for Fair Snape Fell
A moorland pool as a foreground for Fair Snape Fell
Looking back to the northwest to the Bleasdale Moors and Hawthornthwaite Fell..
..and then to the north to Ward's Stone and Wolfhole Crag
and west to Hazelhurst Fell
Looking back to the Bleasdale Moors and Hawthornthwaite Fell as I reach the top of Fair Snape Fell
At the cairn that marks the high point of Fair Snape Fell. Looking east to Totridge.
and north to Ward's Stone and Wolfhole Crag
Heading for the Paddy's Pole cairn on Fair Snape Fell
Parlick from the Paddy's Pole cairn
The trig point on Fair Snape Fell
Beacon Fell below
Longridge Fell and Parlick
A long walk by this fence will take me to Totridge
A War Department boundary stone
Totridge ahead on the left
Looking north across Bowland to Ward's Stone, Wolfhole Crag, Whins Brow, and White Hill..
Following the fence towards Totridge, and it seems to take forever for it to get closer..
Hawthornthwaite Fell, Grit Fell, Ward's Stone, and Top of Blaze Moss
A hazy view across to Pendle Hill
I join a wall as I finally approach the top of Totridge
Looking back to Fair Snape Fell
Approaching the trig point on Totridge
Looking north across Bowland to Grit Fell, Ward's Stone, Top of Blaze Moss, Wolfhole Crag, Whins Brow, and White Hill
and across the Hodder valley to Hodder Bank Fell, and Easington Fell
Mellor Knoll, the Hodder valley, and Hodder Bank Fell
There's a great view from the top of the path down from Totridge. Wolfhole Crag, Whins Brow, White Hill, Baxton Fell, Staple Oak Fell, and Beatrix Fell.
Mellor Knoll, the Hodder valley, Hodder Bank Fell, and Easington Fell
