Canisfamiliaris

Starting point: Swindale, Bewbarrow Crag (NY 521142) Distance: 8.1 miles Ascent: 1579' Date: Wednesday 17th May 2010

This walk was my challenge for the Wainwright Society Best of the Rest Challenge 2010. Having visited Swindale for the first time last October, I was anxious to make my re-acquaintance with this secretive valley. The walk is described in Wainwright's Outlying Fells p. 230. My account of this walk was published in the book detailing all the challenges and can be read here. The only people I met on the entire walk were two people looking for Swindale Falls, and this was at Swindale Head on my return to the car. If you crave solitude on your walks, then this is one to recommend.

Route: Unless you have the acquaintance of the tenant of Swindale Head, you will have to park off the road below Bewbarrow Crag. Walk along the narrow road to Swindale Head, and, having walked through the farmyard, follow a bridleway into the upper reaches of Swindale. Continue uphill, and, at where a beck crosses the path, turn up the fell under Nabs Crag and climb to the top of the crag for a fine view of Swindale below. The way is pathless from here. Aim for a rocky outcrop where a significant cairn may be found. This outcrop is not Howes, as may be supposed. Turn west from the cairn and walk up on to an indefinite ridge where the highest point of Howes is in doubt. From Howes, walk downhill to find a stream, which may be followed down to a disused quarry and beyond lies Mosedale Cottage. Arriving at a broad track, turn back towards Swindale, taking a narrow grassy path which contours the valley. After passing through a gate in a wall at Swine Gill, head towards the top of Forces Falls and drop down back into the valley over rough ground with spectacular views of the waterfalls, if in spate. On reaching the bridleway, retrace steps back to the starting point.

swindale