A Barbondale Circuit
Walk 16
- A serious high level circuit taking in Crag Hill [682m], Castle Knott
[538m] and Calf Top [609m]from Dent Village - 12 miles circular - 6 hours
- An excellent but demanding fell walk with good views over Morecambe
Bay. This walk can either be undertaken by parking in the Dent village
carpark or by using the Saturdays only bus service from Dent Station.
Plenty of time is needed for this walk and so unless a fast walker it
might be better left to the summer months and the later bus. Back
to Dentdale 
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| The view from above the Occupation Road |
If arriving by train alight at Dent Station and take the the 1020 Saturdays-only Dent Station - Dent Village - Kendal bus link which should be waiting on the station access road. This is timed to fit in with the northbound morning train service from Leeds the bus arriving in Dent at about 1035
From the bus shelter in the centre of Dent walk away from the main street up the side of the village school and to the rear of the Sun Inn. The road continues up through the houses eventually becoming a track up to one side of the Flintergill ravine. In summer this will be a dry stream bed but in winter a series of waterfalls. Nearing the top of the track is a barn to the right hand side inviting a visit. This is full of agricultural artifacts. Continue on to the top of the track and passing though a gate emerges on the level to a junction with the Occupation Road, a drovers road running along the contour at the side of the fell. In recent times stretches of this have been destroyed by thoughtless 4x4 drivers but this section is quite pleasant. Turn right and walk along the Occupation Road for 500m or so. Passing through a gate turn left and proceed along another track up on to World Side Moss. This levels out for a while following the wall on the right hand side and curving round to make the steep ascent of Crag Hill still following the wall to the summit plateau.
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| Crag Hill | View of Ingleborough |
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| Blind Beck Bridge | Castle Knott |
On emerging at the top follow the wall to a junction with another wall whereupon step over the wall and turn right for a short distance to reach the trig point on Crag Hill [682m]. The views across Morecambe Bay including Heysham and Barrow are excellent whilst in the other direction there is a good vista of the Lake District fells.
Now follow the wall downhill in an almost southerly direction towards Bull Pot Farm probably best with the wall on the right. About 1/2 mile from Bull Pot Farm as ravines start to form bear left slight and the right following an intervening wall. Do no descend into the ravine. This eventually picks up a track to reach the farm - now the home of a potholing club. Turn right along the track to Barbondale to reach Blind Beck Bridge. Bear right along the road and cross Barbon Beck by means of a foot bridge with a signpost. Ignoring the path to Barbon now begin the exceedingly steep climb to Castle Knott with a wall on the left. After a while the wall ends and maintain an uphill course bearing slightly right to meet the summit cairn of Castle Knott.
From Castle Knott the going is comparatively easy dropping down to the saddle of the hill and then upwards to reach the extended ridge of Calf Top. The summit trig point will come into view alongside the fence. Continue alongside the fence/ wall for approximately 1 mile and as the path begins to turn to the left look for a small stile in the wall at Combe scar. Descend diagonally away from the stile in a east direction across open rough pasture and towards Dent. Pass through a large gate and then proceed even more steeply downwards to a further large gate. Shortly after turn right onto a footpath to the bottom of the hill and a small gate in a corner of the pasture. The path turns right to meet the minor road.
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| Calf Top | Calf Top |
On reaching the minor road from Barbon to Gawthrop there are two ways back. Either turn right for 1/4 mile to reach the Occupation Road and return via Flintergill or turn left down the minor road towards Gawthrop. After 1/4 mile or so turn right down a long farm track to High House Farm. Pass to the left of the farm buildings and at the rear of the house the path drops into a small ravine. Bear right to a flagged bridge and immediately left climbing up the other side to stile. Emerging in a field now proceed diagonally to the corner of the field passing two stiles around a barn. Still on a diagonal course proceed across 4 fields and dropping down behind a cottage and over a stile to reach the access track. Pass through the farm buildings at Mill Beck and just in front of the farm the path leaves the farmyard dropping downhill through 2 fields to reach High Lanings caravan site. Pass through a stile at the rear of the site and then around the side of a barn. Walk down the caravan site road to reach Dent village and turn right to get to the bus stop.
For current timetables see Western Dales Bus
Important note:- Whilst the author has taken every care in assembling the information on this site, no responsibility can be accepted for any error or omission herein. If in any doubt walkers should always consult the relevant OS map. All timings are approximate and for a person of average fitness and ability.
This page was last updated on 09-May-2020
© John Carey 2017