Gragareth and Great Coum from Dent
Walk 5
- A strenuous linear walk starting from Dent Village to Crag Hill [682m],
Great Coum [687m] and Gragareth finishing at Ingleton - 12.5 miles - 5.5
hours - An excellent fell walk with good views over Morecambe Bay and
on the Lake District most of the way. This walk can only be undertaken
on Saturday from the north bound train and using the Saturdays only S1
bus to Dent, returning on the 581 service bus from Ingleton to Settle
and onwards by train
Back to Dentdale 
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| Gragareth Trig Point | View of Ingleborough |
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If arriving by train alight at Dent Station and take the the bus to Dent village which should be waiting on the station access road. This is timed to fit in with the northbound morning train service from Leeds 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 emerging on the level at a junction with the Occupation Road. This is 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 uphill 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. On emerging at the top follow the wall to a junction with another wall whereupon step over the stile turning immediately right again over another stile. Continue 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. Retrace steps to the stile crossing over again. Now follow the crest of the hill in an easterly direction keeping the wall on the left and continue passing the summit of Great Coum [687m]. Passing Great Coum the ridge turns to a southerly direction. Still following wall cross over using a number of possible stiles and continue in the same direction now with the wall on the right. The ridge undulates and drops down to a saddle in which sites the County Stone, the former boundary between Lancashire, Westmorland and West Riding. these days it is just Lancashire and Cumbria. |
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| The Howgills from Occupation Road | |
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| Crag Hill with Morecambe Bay in background | Great Coum |
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| County Stone - originally the boundary for Lancashire, Westmorland and West Riding | The ridge towards Gragareth |
Continue on over Green Hill crossing a number of broken down walls passing the unremarkable intersection of the Lancashire, Cumbria and N Yorkshire county boundaries and then up to the summit of Gragareth [627m] now the highest hill in Lancashire [Since Coniston Old Man was reassigned to Cumbria!].There are several possible routes from this point. The one I shall describe continues in the same direction very shortly passing through a drystone wall and between two walls descending the hillside to Ireby Fell. Part of the way down the hillside turn left through a stile in the wall and onwards down a well used path eventually to meet the Turbery Road, a walled droving track. Turn right and down downhill to Masongill water works.
Another possible alternative would be to descend directly down the steep hillside upon leaving Gragareth to emerge at the road near Yordas Cave. Then along the road before branching left over the footbridge and the path to Scar End and then Ingleton.
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| Gragareth |
Turn left along Tow Scar Road [a track] for and after 1/2 mile bear right along a minor road. After 200m or so turn left through a stile towards Cowgill Farm. Turn right upon meeting another minor road for 100m and bear left into the driveway of Thornton Hall. Bear immediately right downhill and passing diagonally across several fields emerge at the old mineral railway serving Ingleton quarry.
The path then descends quickly passing the Ingleton Waterfalls carpark and to meet a road. Cross the bridges across the Rivers Twiss and Doe to climb up to Ingleton Main Street. If heading for the Wheatsheaf pub and the cavers tea room turn left. Otherwise turn right and head towards the old railway over-bridge. Turn left and proceed up the path to the car park and Ingleton Community Centre. The bus stop is in the carpark in front of the Community Centre.
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| Ingleton |
If there is time to kill The Wheatsheaf at the top end of the village welcomes walkers. Lower down the main street are the Craven Heifer and Three Horsehoes with the Masons Arms on the main road. In addition there are a numer of excellent cafes including the cavers cafe in the centre of the village. The 581 service bus from Kirkby Lonsdale to Settle departs Ingleton Community Centre
For current timetables see Western Dales Bus and www.dalesbus.org
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 08-May-2020
© John Carey 2010