Starting out from Litton, I undertook a clockwise loop visiting Darnbrook Fell, Fountains Fell, Pen-y--ghent, Plover Hill and Birks Fell before returning to Litton, all in all taking a little over 8 hours and covering 18 miles with what my OS planner believes is about 4250ft of ascent. I was out of bed early and walking by about 6am.
Crossing a dry river on the ford at Litton
I joined the Nuttalls' suggested route which follows a track leading from Litton part-way up Darnbrook Fell
looking down on the ascent up Darnbrook Fell, which is pretty much pathless in places
Darnbrook Fell is not on any real path and feels like it's not visited too often
I wouldn't fancy this in winter. In my opinion, it's one for the dry season.
I haven't seen a label-plate like this on a trig point before
I really enjoyed being on Darnbrook Fell, it had a real 'back-of-beyond' vibe. Gladly it was a clear day and I could see across to Fountain's Fell, my next objective. I made a direct beeline before getting thoroughly fed up with rough ground and peat hags. I tried my luck following the wall along, and crossing over to the other side which proved a bit more steady underfoot but really at the lower limit of what you could call a path. I didn't take many photos of the crossing.
I could have also visited Fountain's Fell South Top, but I decided this was not really on the Littondale skyline and wanted to conserve energy.
on Fountains Fell
It's worth noting that Fountain's Fell was once a coal mine and is pockled with dangerous open shafts
Fountains Fell top, Pen-y-ghent on the right and Ingleborough on the left
I thought I remembered there being some sort of direct path down Fountain's Fell alongside the wall you can see going off to the top right of the above, but there is no track and an exceptionally steep slope. I thought why not and zig-zagged my way directly down to eventually join up with the Pennine Way takes a more sensible line on a diagonal Eastwards up the slope.
Looking back up Fountains Fell, the descent took no time
A little plod along the road ensues, thankfully there are clear flat grassy verges to avoid walking on tarmac much of the way.
Pen-y-ghent is comparatively light work from this side given the ascent starts at around 420m
Gritstone on the second raise up to the top
It's always a pleasure to be on Pen-y-ghent, one of my favorite fells and probably my most often visited mountain over the course of my lifetime.
A large group of Y-3-P walkers arrived as I was taking a rest at the Summit. Their spirits were still high this being the first of the three.
The crowds vanish in an instant once you break off the Y-3-P route and out towards Plover Hill.
looking back over to Darnbrook Fell (left) and Fountains Fell (right) which I had crossed earlier
I did a fair bit of plundering around on the Plover Hill summit trying to make sure I visited the highest point. I have since started photographing the pages from the Nuttall guide to avoid any further confusion. It turns out that a small cairn on the opposite side of the wall to the path marks the summit but there is little in it and I would never encourage anyone to climb over a dry stone wall as they must be preserved not damaged.
the path down towards Foxup Road
I was pleased to find the Foxup Road in OK condition. Back when I was at school in the area in the early 00's the bridleway was devastated by motorbike tracks and some sections were over 100m wide with loads of deep ruts, it was a bit of a nightmare to be honest. At least that sort of thing isn't tolerated so much now.
this is one of the more inventive latch contraptions I have come across
Honestly by this point, I was starting to get sore. I blasted up Pen-y-ghent and was starting to think 'this is too easy!' and I was basically sore from that point onwards. My take-away is that I should maintain a steady pace on longer routes to try and avoid lactic acid build up. I kept promising myself a break at Plover Hill, and then Foxup, but I decided to get started with the steady climb up the bridleway towards near the Horse Head. It's a nice steady climb this, the steepest bit is at the bottom and it's really enjoyable when you're legs and feet are fresh. I plodded up and took my break when I reached the top bridleway.
looking back, Fountains Fell left, Plover Hill right and Pen-y-ghent in the distance in the middle
Birks Fell
a faint path runs alongside the wall the length of Birks Fell. It's a steady 3.3m along the ridge with the summit nearer the far end. When I say Birks Fell I guess I collectively am referring to Horse Head, Birks Fell and Firth Fell. Birks Fell has the highest point on the ridge.
It's mostly flat going and really not bad when dry underfoot, but there is a proper Kinder / Bleaklow style stretch of Hags and Groughs about half way along which does plenty to dampen the spirits of a man who just wants to crack on and get this boxed off by this point... Fortunately, it wasn't too boggy at this time of year; I'd hate to undertake this in Winter.
this cairn marks the true summit
It was lovely to finally bag this Nuttall having previously come so near but missing it, crossing the fell on both the traversing paths in a past life when hill-bagging wasn't a priority. I took a rest in a sheltered spot and after a few minutes respite resolved to make my way back down to Litton, closing the loop. I knew all the worst difficulties had been overcome.
Litton in sight now
I arrived back into Litton with no difficulties.
Driving back home along Wharfedale and reflecting, I felt sore but I felt awesome. I mused that this was the perfect choice of walk for me, for the most part a day spent in the back of beyond, ideal weather conditions for walking (overcast and a breeze but not cold), plenty of distance and ascent under my belt. What a perfect day!
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