"The Calf is the highest point in the Howgills and a sort after summit for those ‘doing’ the Howgills. There is an added appeal of having the highest waterfall in England (650 ft high) on its flanks. Pick up the Calf and place it on the other side of the M6 and it would become nearly as popular as the Langdale Pikes and Helvellyn. Fortunately it remains stoically to the east of the M6 and safely away from the crowds.
The Calf is a graceful peak with steep sides and rolling ridges. The walking is easy and the views outstanding. I originally climbed the Calf from the Cross Keys Inn to the west but can happily say that, as good as this route is, the one that originates from Sedbergh is better. There is more ridge walking, more appreciation of the scale of the Howgills and the bonus of a circular walk which spends time next to the River Rawthey.
I recently completed a day on the Calf (from Sedbergh) in perfect winter conditions. The ground was frozen, the skies a deep blue and there was a thin layer of snow accumulated on the eastern facing slopes. The steep climb up Winder took no time at all and the walk from Winder to the Calf utterly delightful. The Lakeland fells were dramatically laid out to the west with the more rounded Pennines to the north and east, a true panorama of all that is good about this part of England."
