Killing Grounds of the Wild Boar

• A worthy mountain walk
• Great views to the west and the sea
• Add in Hell Gill on the return

Fortunately the boars have left Wild Boar Fell as having encountered a so called tame pack in Scotland they are vicious little dears! Their absence leaves the hill to its geographic virtues of which there are many. I would certainly place it amongst my top 3 or 4 mountains in the Yorkshire Dales.  The flat summit area is its crowning glory, a large peaceful area ringed by some impressive gritstone cliffs over looking Mallerstang, the actual summit being set further back and to the west. The birds were out and the views were extensive in all directions so I loitered for quite a while. Pondering the reason for the set of large standing cairns which are to the south of the plateau area is a good exercise in the pointless; no one knows the real reason and I stick to Wainwright’s theory on Nine Standards Rigg that they were built to scare the Scots off! The route up is excellent from Hazelgill Farm but deteriorates after the summit. Boggy and wet ground await on Swarth Fell but all told this is a grand circuit and one of the best walks in the Dales.

Recommend: The obvious descent down to Aisgill Farm is trackless and wet, better to carry on over Swarth Fell.

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© Crown copyright 2010 Ordnance Survey. Image produced from the Ordnance Survey Get-a-map service. Image reproduced with kind permission of Ordnance Survey and Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland.

OS Map:	O/S 1.25,000. OL19 Howgill Fells & the Upper Eden Valley
Start Point:	782992. I prefer starting near Hazelgill Farm where there is a clear signpost for the bridleway. There is a small layby for 2 cars but this is usually sufficient here!
Terrain:	Good to the summit plateau becoming rougher over the tops with the path less esy to follow on the way down to Aisgill cottages. The track past Hell Gill is also intermittent but better than the road.
Eating & Drinking:	The Moorcock Inn is at the head of Mallerstang and is a traditional Dales pub, otherwise North brings Kirkby Stephen.
Similar Walks Nearby:	The Northern Howgills Dick Turpin & the Source of the Eden Nine Standards Rigg
Places to Stay: