Wild Boar Fell

Walk 2 - An excellent days' outing starting at Kirkby Stephen Station and finishing at the Moorcock Inn or Garsdale Station 12 miles - approximately 6 hours. This linear walk takes in Little Fell [559m], Wild Boar Fell [708m] and Swarth Fell [681m] whilst viewing the impressive panorama of the Mallerstang Valley plus glimpses of the Howgills and Three Peaks ending at the Moorcock Inn. For this reason the walk is best done north to south as Kirkby Stephen Station is lacking in local amenities and a good 1.6 miles from the town centre. This could be done by car or train - if arriving by car park at either Kirkby Stephen or Garsdale stations and travel one stop on the train. Back to Moorcock Walks

Cairns on Wild Boar Fell

From Kirkby Stephen Station turn immediately left and walk along the main road. After 1/4 mile turn left towards Sedbergh and after 100m turn left again along a minor road towards Low House. Just before Moor End Farm turn right through a gate onto open pasture. There is a track which becomes a very faint path but generally progress in a southerly direction for a good mile or so with the objective of Wild Boar Fell in view.

Upon reaching Tommy Road, in fact a minor road, turn left and proceed along the tarmac for 1/4 mile before branching out right over Wharton Fell with the summit of Little Fell in sight. The grassy path quickly meets a wall on the left hand side passing a barn.

Pass the summit cairn of Little Fell [559m] and maintain the same direction now with Wild Boar Fell in sight. The path drops down slightly to meet a wall and then increases in steepness as the summit is reached. This is in fact a plateau with dramatic drops and views across Mallerstang on one side. The Wild Boar [708m] summit cairn proper demands a slight deviation to the right where there are good views over to the Howgills. However, arguably the views into the Mallerstang Valley are more dramatic.

Continue along the edge passing the Nab and reaching a wind break with cairns and a stile. After crossing the stile the path changes direction away from the valley to a more southwesterly bearing and follows the natural contour of the land descending slightly whilst circumnavigating a giant bowl in the landscape to regain a southerly bearing, descending to run alongside a fence. This path can be difficult to spot in mist. Now on the saddle between Wild Boar and Swarth Fells and passing a small tarn now ascend with a wall on the right to get to the rocky outcrop of Swarth Fell [681m]. There are fine views looking back to Wild Boar from this vantage point

Leaving the summit cairn of Swarth the grassy path descends initially across open ground following the ridge converging with the fence on the right and eventually crossing a fence. Now on the other side of the fence looking into Grisedale the path leaves the fence for a short while at a slight bend in the ridge to converge again a short while later. Continue long the crest of the hill with the fence or wall on the left passing a metal bridleway gate. Still with the wall on the left proceed for a further 1/2 mile across Grisedale Common to turn left through a gate. From this point descend quickly across South Lunds Pasture to Grisedale Crossing, a railway footbridge once used by the children from Grisedale on their journey to school. Crossing the railway line walk along the farm access track and thence to the road. Turn right and proceed along the road for 1/2 mile to reach the Moorcock Inn.

For the return walk to Garsdale Station, on leaving the Moorcock turn right and proceed along the main road towards Sedbergh for a very short while then turning left through a gate to follow the recently opened Pennine Bridleway which proceeds directly to the rear of the station passing under Dandry Mire Viaduct enroute. The station is slightly under a mile from the pub and 30 minutes should be allowed for this uphill walk! Remember that southbound trains run from the farthest platform and it is necessary to pass under the road bridge to gain access.

Looking towards Wherside and Ingleborough

View of Howgills from Swarth Fell

From Swarth Fell looking towards Wild Boar and main summit cairn on Wild Boar

Swarth Fell summit cairn and looking across small tarn

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This page was last updated on 05-Jan-2018