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Cautley Spout

Four members joined me at Leyburn to car share on the journey to Sedbergh where we met up with another three members who had not heard my record with the weather however the day was dry and bright to confound the doubters.

We left Sedbergh passing by the castle mound and across fields before joining a rough track skirting round the eastern fringe of the Howgill range of fells. The River Rawthey tumbled over rocks and through narrow gorges nearby and that posed a question. What is the name of the valley? A thorough search of our maps did not yield the answer. Answers please in the next newsletter. It didn’t seem long before we came to the point where the Cautley Holme Beck joins the Rawthey. Here we left the main river and followed the tributary upstream towards our goal, the spectacular Cautley Spout where waterfalls cascade more than 600 feet down the craggy hillside. A promise of lunch at the top provided incentive as we toiled up beside the falls taking frequent stops to admire their beauty!

After refreshments we followed the beck further up to its source before making the final climb up to The Calf, the highest point in the Howgills. We enjoyed glorious views all around from this vantage point. The Three Peaks rose as a majestic trio to the Southeast, seeming to be only a stones throw away and to the west beyond the M6 rose the Lake District fells. To the south of these Morcambe Bay glistened in the hazy sun with the large square buildings of Heysham nuclear power station just visible. Could that faint outline on the skyline be Blackpool Tower? Close by, the fells of the Howgills with their unique rounded shape (very steep at their bases and flat on top) looked a treat as clouds cast dancing shadows across the hillsides. Conversation moved to ask why these hills have a unique shape so different from all other fells in this part of the world. Perhaps the geologists among you know the reason why. Answers please as before. From this high point the only way was down, down, down. The wide track leading steadily down and towards Winder a small fell above Sedbergh. From here we could look down onto the town directly below and watch the world go by before making the now steep descent down the final section and into the town nestling so close to the fells at this point. Weaving our way through the town we pass by the Sedbergh School playing fields where not one but two games of cricket were taking place. Could we sneak in for tea without being noticed? Perhaps not! A walk of about 11 miles with some fantastic views and scenery.

Alan Turner

Last Modified: 7 May, 2003