Dales 30
Personal Journey

Swarth Fell

Route Options
Height

681m (2,234ft)

Location

Northern Dales

Neighbours

Wild Boar Fell

Height

681m (2,234ft)

Location

Northern Dales

Neighbours

Wild Boar Fell

Gallery of Swarth Fell

Swarth Fell from Wild Boar
Swarth Fell from Wild Boar
Swarth Fell summit
Swarth Fell summit
Stone Circle on Swarth Fell
Stone Circle on Swarth Fell
Swarth & Wild Boar from Turner Hill
Swarth & Wild Boar from Turner Hill
Upper Eden
Upper Eden
Dandrymire Viaduct
Dandrymire Viaduct
River Eden near Outhgill
River Eden near Outhgill

Jonathan’s View

"Swarth Fell is very much the after though to Wild Boar Fell. It sits to the south, is lower and does not have the dramatic edge that impresses from its dominant neighbour. However it has two fine peaks, a pleasant tarn and is part of the excellent 8km ridge to the west of the Mallerstang valley. There is also the remains of ancient settlements on its slopes so keep an eye out for those whilst passing its twin peaks.

Swarth Fell is rarely climbed on its own but can be from Aisgill Cottages. However the mountain is much more appreciated by being combined with Wild Boar Fell. Normally I prefer walking south to north as the light is better but in this case north to south is my preference. Heading off  the summit of Wild Boar Fell to Swarth Fell is very impressive, both the wide ranging views across many of the Dales 30 mountains but also the tarn with Swarth Fell popping up behind.

The advantage of continuing south from Swarth Fell is the climb of Turner Hill, a fine spot overlooking Garsdale."

Routes up Swarth Fell

There is a choice of routes up Swarth Fell . 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 nr Outhgill

Height to Climb

490m (1,600ft)

O/S Explorer Map
Parking

SD 782992 Limited parking at the bridleway to the Thang, otherwise 10 minutes north at Outhgill.

Although the main focus of this walk is Wild Boar Fell I think the descent towards Swarth Fell alongside the fence is particularly impressive.

  1. There is parking at the Thang 1km north of Outhgill from where the Pennine Bridleway heads west up Wild Boar Fell. Initially it passes a farm and under a railway bridge before heading in to the open moorside. Fortunately a track heads up the slopes which you can follow all the way to the col/high point of the path.
  2. At a junction of walls following the 2km climb ignore the track continuing west and head south along a good path on a wide grassy ridge to the summit plateau of Wild Boar Fell. The highest point with a trig is at the west of a large summit plateau. After collecting the trig head ESE across the plateau to the eastern edge of Wild Boar Fell. Here are the Standing Stones of Wild Boar Fell, an interesting feature.
  3. Cross the fence and then use it as a hand rail to walk 1 1/2km to the tarn, initially west then bending south.Continue for a further 3/4km to the big cairn marking the summit of Swarth Fell.  Head SSE for 1 km to the southern cairn of Swarth Fell.
  4. A few metres beyond the summit leave the fence at an intermittent path that heads east and then ENE towards Aisgill Moor Cottages and the road. It is nearly 5km walk back to the car.
  5. An alternate return from Aisgill Cottages with better views and easier terrain is to join the path on the east side of the road and climb the 40m to Hell Gill Bridge. From here turn left and follow the Pennine Bridleway back to the Thang via the dramatic Watercut sculpture.

Dandrymire Viaduct

Alternative Routes

By Train, Kirkby Stephen to Garsdale

Use the stations on the Settle to Carlisle railway line for this epic crossing, very satisfying although the Moorcock Inn at Garsdale is now sadly closed.

20km (12.5 miles)

620m (2,0355 ft)

  1. Park at the Moorcock Inn (now a tea room) not Garsdale station. It is 1 ½ km away but it is a tedious 20 minutes and best to get it out of the way early. Walk along the road to Sedbergh for 50 m and take the footpath heading south and signed to Garsdale station. The trains are (as of 2024) every 2 hours and there is a very civilised one at 10.20am (please check first though!
  2. On the train the x miles are covered in 12 minutes and on arrival at Kirkby Stephen station (not close to the town) head south for 3km on the A685/A683 to Tommy Road. If the road is a concern it is possible to leave it after 3/4km (just south of the road junction) on a side road. After another 1/2km a bridleway heads south for 2km to rejoin Tommy Road (a 2nd minor road). This option is slower, wetter but safer.
  3. On Tommy Road head east then south. Where the road bends east again head directly south on a farm track over Access Land. Climbing steadily the track disappears after 1 1/2km near 2 small tarns and some marshy land. Carry on south over steeper ground to Little Fell and then gradually dropping for 1 km, initially joining a wall and then to a junction with a major path heading east west.
  4. Climb steadily south on a faint path to the plateau of Wild Boar Fell. The plateau is 1 ½ km long and worth exploring. The high point (trig and shelter) is to the west, the standing stones to the south and east. However the path to Swarth Fell is to the south and follows a fence to the col and then a wall to its summit.
  5. The first large cairn is the summit of Swarth Fell but carry on following the wall SSE past a 2nd cairn 1km distant (great views to the south) and then dropping down often wet hillside. Follow the wall for 3km as it gradually bends SE until it meets a footpath heading east. This leads to a footbridge over the railway on to the road and a short walk south to the Moorcock Inn.

from Garsdale

An interesting route climbs over Turner Hill towards Swarth Fell from Garsdale. It is 6km to the summit of Swarth Fell is not a short walk however it explores an area of the Dales that no-one else will have done! I have held Navigation Training here and enjoyed the peace and tranquility.

The return can be varied by following the faint path towards Aisgill Cottages and then taking to the bridleway near the railway track. There is some new trees been planted so that may cause a few difficulties. Worth exploring!

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