Baugh Fell and Knoutberry Hill

About

Sat in an isolated position at the junction of Garsdale and Uldale the high moorland peak of Baugh Fell commands outstanding unrestricted views. In terms of sheer good looks it’s not the most outstanding peak in the area and for this reason doesn’t attract massive numbers of walkers. If you are happy to ignore first impressions, enjoy some remote peace and quiet, and want far reaching views then this is the summit for you.

Baugh Fell forms a high moorland plateau and lies just to the east of Sedbergh. Its flanks sweep down in long uniform slopes of rough grass broken only by the deep slots of water-worn gills. These gills are fascinating places to explore and once you enter them they often feel like you are in a lost world. The largest gill on Baugh Fell is Rawthey Gill. This cuts into the northern flanks and holds the infant River Rawthey as it speeds its way over numerous little waterfalls and plunge pools. Rawthey Gill also has the gentlest gradient of all the gills and for this reason it provides the perfect route onto the summit plateau.

Baugh Fell has two main summits, one of which, Knoutberry Haw is most notable as it is marked by a trig point. Ordnance Surveyors positioned the trig point here as it has good all round views. The route up Rawthey Gill conveniently pops out close to Knoutberry Haw making it the ideal target for the walk. The long north ridge of West Baugh Fell then provides a gentle descent route and has the added bonus of a final little summit in the form of Bluecaster to round the day off nicely.

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Grade: Time/effort 3, Navigation 4, Technicality 2
Start/Finish: A583, Rawthey Bridge (GR SD 713 978)
Distance: 10.4 miles (16.7km)
Time: 5 - 6 hours
Height gain: 720m
Terrain: village lanes, fell paths and grassy summit.
Maps: OS Landranger 97 & 98, OS Explorer OL2 & OL19.

1. From Rawthey Bridge head southwest up the ‘The Street’ (an old drove track) for 700m to a junction with a bridleway (track). Turn left onto the bridleway and follow it as it traverses east across the fell side towards the River Rawthey.

2. Once past the old quarry the waterfalls of Uldale Force come into view. Continue heading up Uldale alongside the River Rawthey for 2.2km until you reach a junction of becks at the foot of Rawthey Gill. Turn right and climb southwest then south up the bottom of the steep-sided gill until you reach Baugh Fell’s summit plateau at Gill Head. The summit trig point of Knoutberry Haw lies about 300m to the southwest (close to a dry stone wall).

3. From the trig point head north across the plateau to the lonely waters of West Baugh Fell Tarn. This marks the start of the descent route. Head northeast then north west and follow the broad gentle ridge down to the base of Bluecaster.

4. Drop down the north side of Bluecaster to reach ‘The Street’, which is joined and then followed back to the start at Rawthey Bridge.