Garrigill - Cross Fell - Melmerby Fell - Leadgate - Garrigill: Part 1 of 2

Alan Anderson

You need to log in as a member of Walkingworld to access the details for this walk and have an active subscription. Please join, or log in above if you are already a member.

This is the first part of a 20.3-mile circular walk that is continued on Walk 7363. Together, guides 7362 and 7363 contain all of the information required for the full walk, that should be completed in a single day.

A challenging high-fell endurance walk across remote moorland, peaking with the ascent of Cross Fell, the highest point on the Pennine Chain at a little under 3,000 feet. The return leg (Part 2 of the walk) also starts with several miles of rugged moorland, but ends with a glorious wooded, riverside stroll along the valley of the South Tyne, in complete contrast to the openness of the fells.

This half of the walk (Part 1) initially tracks the route of the Pennine Way on a well-maintained stony bridleway that starts with a 1.4-mile climb up from Garrigill. A long section of fairly flat walking on the bridleway follows, before the route leaves the Pennine Way and swings south around Rake Moss to reveal views of Cow Green Reservoir and the radar station on Great Dun Fell. The walk then leaves the track and takes to wild moorland as the terrain rises gradually to intersect Tees Head, the source of the mighty River Tees. Shortly after, the route re-intersecs the Pennine Way at Crowdundle Head, the col between Little Dun Fell and Cross Fell. From here a stiff climb on good stepping-stones leads up to and then across the large plateau of the majestic Cross Fell, to arrive at the trig point and cross-shaped stone windbreak at the summit. There follows an easy but squelchy scramble off the fell, followed by a straightforward walk on a good stony bridleway for 0.6 miles. The final section of Part 1 of the walk is on grassy tracks.

Part 2 of the walk description continues on Walk 7363.

England - North England - Cumbria - North Pennines