Howgills Route Advice ?

I am up in the Howgills soon, and look at an afternoons ride (for a fairly unfit rider !)

I like the idea of this ride from just outside Sedbergh even if I end up pushing up. Which is the right direction to ride, This route has it going anticlockwise. Is this the best way to do it? I am not fit enough to do the full Sebergh tour loop thing so thought I could do this south loop and maybe do an out and back across the top ridge (noted by the 10 mile marker)

Is there anything better in the immediate area?

Thanks

WWI

It looks different to the usual loop that is recommended. Presumably as the return section along the ridge is Future Bridleway rather than Bridleway

I did plan on doing that route, but every time I think about it it either rains or someone tells me to just continue to the Lakes and ride good trails.

It looks different to the usual loop that is recommended.

Yes that goes a lot further north towards the A685, and then  loops back nearish the A683.

As I said just want a short ish loop, the area south of The Calf is about 10miles. If I feel fitter I will do an out and back north.

Its which is the best direction to do the southern loop

WWI

?

Watching With Interest.

I have started threads on Howgills loops a few times, but never actually get round to doing them.  So I’m interested to see how this looks, and then I may actually get my arse into gear and go.

You are definitely on the right track (pun intended) avoiding the Ravonstonedale-Adamthwaite-Narthwaite way back. It is shit, with only one short fun bit and what seems like a million gates.

If I was going to ride the Howgills again, your route is probably what I’d base it on.

But I live far enough away that the Howgills are unlikely ever to be an actual destination for me – I’d keep my foot on the accelerator and carry on into the Lakes.

Oh, and don’t ride it after wet weather. It will ruin the main fun bit (Bowderdale).

The only route I’ve done in the Howgills is what I think is usually classed as a “classic” ride – Sedburgh > BW north up and over Brant Fell > The Calf > Bowderdale > Ravenstondale > single track road/BW back to Sedburgh.

Most notable bits were some epic views from up on the Calf etc and a good pub in Ravenstondale. Rest of it was remarkably dull.

I have ridden north to south along the route with the 10 mile marker on it. It was not fun. Just a wet grassy slog with false summit after false summit.

If you are feeling brave, there is another descent from The Calf down onto the western side of the fells:

(Brave part being from 1m30s onwards)

If you are feeling brave, there is another descent from The Calf down onto the western side of the fells:

That looks like one of the routes down I was thinking of !

Looks like quite a nice decent

Ahh so it was, got distracted by the horror that is the top part of the loop!

WWI

I assumed that meant it would be like the Somme in places.

Which is what I’d assume the ‘ridge’ to the east of the Bowderdale descent to be like. Looks like there will be some hefty climbs on interesting terrain rather than just a ridge, as well.

If I was planning to add some extra interest to the Bowderdale loop, I guess I’d stick with the lower level route back from Bowderdale, include a pub stop in Ravenstonedale, and then do the full push/carry up the Cautley Spout path and descend to Lockbank Fm.

We’ve had some dry weather in the Dales, and while plenty of stuff is now dried out, I’d expect Bowderdale and the surrounding fells would be pretty much the last things to get dry.

EDIT: I see you’re not descending directly back to Sedbergh, for some reason. Whichever way you go to the Calf will involve some pushing, going up from Height of Winder, bypassing Winder itself, would be my recommendation. And unless you’re planning to plough straight back up onto that ridge, avoid the manky BWs at the foot of Bowderdale and swing around to Ravenstonedale  on minor roads instead.

Thanks Martin

We are staying nearish Firbank, I am not that fit so just logical to stick to that side of the hills ….possibly. I will take you route up. Happy to push, supposed to be nice weather so a nice steady afternoon out in the hills.

On this occasion, I wouldn’t recommend just pointing yourself at the nearest bit of hillside to your accommodation. The Howgills are steep, most of the paths go straight up, and are grassy as hell! Pick your battles wisely. Also, if you’re on the other side of the river, you may have a bit of a schlep with some steep road climbing just to get to the bottom of the climb up to the Calf.

Make sure you have the classic route handy when you get to the foot of Bowderdale. I certainly wouldn’t be fancying the full climb up to the ridge at that point unless I was in pretty good shape.

so a nice steady afternoon out in the hills.

This is the only ride which I’ve underestimated the time required enough to make me late to pick up the kids!

PS

The Black Bull Inn in Sedbergh does amazing sourdough pizzas in the courtyard.

Which part of Firbank? I grew up there.

On Friday I rode out following the ‘traditional’ route from Sedbergh on probably the hottest, muggiest day of the year so far.

It’s definitely a slog. I’m not fit by any stretch but I think you would need to be pretty dam fit to be able to ride most of the climb up to Calders. Having said that it would be great on an ebike !

The campsite said they haven’t had much rain in 2 weeks and river levels were low . I didn’t get any mud or bogs at all. The decent was brilliant. All on grass which I imagine would be quite scary when wet, but good fun in the dry , had to stop twice to let by brakes cool off it’s that long a decent!

The views are simply stunning as is the scenery. Views to the Yorkshire 3 peaks, across to the Lakes, the coast etc.

I can see why people who do the full circular route are a bit underwhelmed. It’s a mighty slog, proper just XC riding , nothing too technical.

Always been on my bucket list to get up there since a kid so glad I’ve done it. Would definitely go up there again, but next time will be on an ebike !

2,600ft climbing in 11.5 miles !

So you didn’t descend via Bowderdale?

So you didn’t descend via Bowderdale?

Nope was never intending to. Was intending to return to the campsite at the River Lune (brilliant little site), but was detoured in to Sedbergh for a beer or three

Its was this ridge badly labelled below

Ah, the ‘traditional’ loop heads down that way to the north. It’s the highlight, probably the longest singletrack descent in the area. Now you’ll need to go back!