Dales 30
Personal Journey

Calders

Route Options
Height

674m (2,211ft)

Location

The Howgills

Neighbours

The Calf and Fell Head

Height

674m (2,211ft)

Location

The Howgills

Neighbours

The Calf and Fell Head

Gallery of Calders

Summit of Calders
Summit of Calders
Geoff on Calders
Geoff on Calders
Climbing Calders from the south
Climbing Calders from the south
Calders looking west
Calders looking west
Calders to Calf
Calders to Calf
Cautley Spout
Cautley Spout
Cross Keys Inn
Cross Keys Inn
Looking North at The Calf
Looking North at The Calf

Jonathan’s View

"Calders is only an elevated knoll on the long ridge from Winder in the North to The Calf  which is the highest point in The Howgill Fells. However whilst the summit is nothing special, the wide ridge is. The walking is excellent and straightforward whilst the views are worth savouring. The Lake District stands out well to the west whilst the Dales to the south and east offer an interesting exercise in Summit spotting.

Calders is almost exclusively climbed in conjunction with The Calf. It is only 1km between the two mountains and with under 50m of climbing. The full ridge from Winder however is 5km and should include the slight deviation to climb Arant Haw. This is a fine summit, probably better than Calders but not as high. Winder is also an excellent summit and it is the full ridge that makes Calders an impressive place to visit.

Calders is also enjoyably approached via Great Dummacks and Cautley Spout, like the Best Route along the ridge. All the Howgill fells are best enjoyed by revisiting their summits from all directions and routes."

Routes up Calders

There is a choice of routes up Calders . They are shown on the map and described below. The GPX file describes my favourite route.

click the image to see a larger version of the mao

My Favourite Route

From Sedbergh

Height to Climb

720m (2,262ft)

O/S Explorer Map
Parking

SD 657922. Park at the large car park round the back of the visitor centre.

  1. From the Dalesman Inn follow Howgill Lane past the school and along the tarmac road for 1 1/2km till it peaks out just short of Ash Hinings Farm. Take the lane right on to the hillside (soon becoming a good path as it passes the Fell Wall) as it zig zags uphill to the fine summit of Winder at 473ms.
  2. Head north east from Winder on a good track past Arant Haw and Rowentree Grains for nearly 3km (gradually turning in a more northerly direction) till a steeper climb finishes at the summit of Calders.
  3. The Calf is only 1 km away just west of north on an easy gradient path. From here the full scale of the Howgills is laid out (views permitting!). Open up the map and enjoy.
  4. Fell Head (one of the Dales 30) is 3km (2miles) to the North East of The Calf on an undulating but high ridge. It could be added to the walk (return the same way) but Fell Head is best climbed alone from the East.
  5. From the summit head north east for 1/2km and then east on a footpath leading in to the head of Cautley Spout. A rough path follows the north side of the stream until the valley floor is reached with a fo.otpath coming down from Bowderdale on your left.
  6. Follow the footpath south east till it divides just before the Rawthey River.  A bridlepath (becoming more of a farm track) then contours the side of the Howgill Fells heading south with the Rawthey River on your left and below. After 3 km the path meets a tarmacked lane at Thurnsgill Farm. Follow this lane in to Sedbergh.

Descending from Winder

Alternative Routes

From Cross Keys Inn

11.5km (7 miles)

615m (2,015 feet)

  1. From the Cross Keys Inn cross the River Rawthey and head south west for 1/2km before turning west.  Keep to the north side of the river heading towards the waterfall of Cautley Spout. After a km the path splits, take the left hand fork that climbs steeply alongside the waterfall. Rather than carry on straight towards the Calf I prefer leaving the path and heading along the top of the Cautley cliffs (keeping them to your left) until reaching the minor summit of Great Dummack.
  2. Head west from Great Dummacks for ¾ km to Calders, then north for 1km on a good path to the summit of the Calf. To vary the descent route and provide an alternative view of Cautley Spout head north on a bridleway for 2km until it reaches the col of Bowderdale, a lonely spot. From here turn south and follow a path back towards the foot of Cautley Spot. This is the right hand fork of the ascent route; follow the outbound path back to the Cross Keys Inn.
  3. Fell Head can also be added to this walk, a 4 mile round trip to the North East from the summit of The Calf.

From Howgill to the East

There is an excellent bridleway leading directly to the summit of the Calf from the hamlet of Howgill. Head south to Calders, midway is a bridleway that leads back to the road near Howgll. The descent meets the road 1km to the south of the start. Look out for the fell ponies enroute.

It is a long distance to visit  Calders from the North unless completing the full Howgill traverse

 

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A personal view of the mountain from the author

High quality, colour photography

A sketch map showing the route & alternatives

Facts and anecdotes about the mountain and the nearby area

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