The Howgills are a sparsely walked range of mountains and the Northern Howgills less so. The broad grassy ridges are largely trackless, and the miles long, but the walking is easy and the views are excellent. It is the best way to approach the Dales 30 mountain of Randygill Top.
To the south of the A685, as it marches its way from the M6 towards Kirkby Stephen and Appleby, there is a vast area of high, largely trackless hills that go under the collective name of the Northern Howgills, at least that is what I call them! Keep to the tracks on the high moorlands and the walking is superb, leave them and it becomes more of a struggle, positively an ordeal in places. The walk I have chosen to enjoy the area fully is a long but easy yomp from near Bowderdale to Randygill Top and Green Hill with an optional extension to the highest mountain in the area, Yarlisde..
This is a walk where meeting another person is unlikely. However the solitude and easy walking, coupled with the cries of the sky lark and far reaching views make this a highly enjoyable experience. Bowderdale is my favourite place to start although Ravenstonedale may be more usual (and it has a couple of pubs). However a neat, but long circuit heading over the wonderfully named Hoovers to Randygill Top with a return over Green Bell is my favourite. If you are looking to complete the Dales 30 you may well be tempted by the additional 2 mile return to Yarlside (although it is very up and down!)
Yarlside and Randygill Top are two of the Dales 30 Mountains
If you do have the energy carry on to Yarlside. It offers a completely different perspective to this excellent mountain than when it is approached by the relentlessly steep slopes from the Cross Keys Inn.
However the GPX file only takes you to Randygill Top, you will have to use more traditional methods from then! For distance add 3km and
I find a good tip in this area is to pick a path or rough farm track and follow it. Not only does the farmer know what he is doing but the terrain on the broad ridges is so much easier. It is very quick walking.
Looking at the GPX on this and would like to grab the top of Randygill Top and then head over to Yarlside, the track file seems to skip around Randygill Top instead, is it tough going to get between the 2 actual summits?
Must be an error on the GPX. The route over the summits is fine.
I did this fabulous walk with some friends in September. The Howgills are lovely hills and we had it pretty much to ourselves. We stayed at Low Greenside Farm Campsite, Ravenstonedale, and we recommend it as a great base for walking in the area and a really nice friendly place to stay. Lots of info on local walks is available at the campsite.
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