Howgills and Limestone Trail
A 74-mile long-distance walk linking routes from two of Alfred Wainwright’s books: Walks in the Howgill Fells and Walks in Limestone Country. With map, statistics, and GPX route file.
Statistics and Files
Grid Ref: NY 775 087
Distance: 74 miles (118 km)
Time: 32–38 hours
Duration: 5–7 days
Ordnance Survey Explorer Maps (1:25,000):
OL2 Yorkshire Dales – Southern and Western Area
OL19 Howgill Fells and Upper Eden Valley
OL41 Forest of Bowland and Ribblesdale
Summary
The Howgills and Limestone Trail is a 74-mile long-distance walk devised by David and Heather Pitt, running from Kirkby Stephen in Cumbria to Settle in North Yorkshire. Designed as a celebration of Alfred Wainwright’s two books — Walks on the Howgills and Walks in Limestone Country — the creators recommend a seven-day completion, though fit walkers can tackle it in five. From Kirkby Stephen, the route visits Waitby, Smardale Gill, Ravenstonedale, Weasdale, Bowderdale, the Cross Keys Temperance Inn, the Howgill Fells (Cautley Spout, The Calf, Fell Head), Crook of Lune, Sedbergh, Middleton Fell, Bardon, Ease Kirk Gill, Leck, Masongill, Ingleton (including the Ingleton Waterfalls Walk), River Doe, Chapel-le-Dale, Souther Scales, Ingleborough, Sulber Nick, Horton-in-Ribblesdale, Pen-y-ghent, Stainforth, Catrigg Force, Victoria Cave, and Attermire Scar before concluding in Settle.