| Birks Fell(610m) |
| Yockenthwaite Moor(643m) |
| Great Knoutberry Hill(672m) |
Peaks climbed : Birks Fell(610m), Yockenthwaite Moor(643m)
Total Distance : 21km, Total Ascent : 806m
Today was most definitely a walk of two halves. Parking at Hubberholme, first we had to climb Yockenthwaite Moor, which, at 642m wasn't the highest we had done, but was still a good pull, initially on a good path, but then over rough moorland, the last section being distinctly worse than the early parts, requiring lots of detours to get to the summit, which was handily marked by a trig point so easy to aim at.
Not wanting to hang around as the wind had, once again, picked up with a vengeance, we headed off in the general direction of Yockenthwaite but due to the poor terrain, we veered slightly right and ended up near Deepdale. It wasn't a problem as we made our way down to the river and followed it along, reaching Yockenthwaite within about ten minutes. It was here that we decided to take an early lunch and whilst we sat, Chris pointed out that the farm house we could see was famous in that it was used in the new series of 'All Creatures Great and Small'. I promised to watch it with renewed enthusiasm.
Lunch done, we packed away and headed off up the road to the path that would take us up in the direction of Birks Fell. It was another long slog out of the valley and up onto the ridge. Initially the path climbs Horse Head Moor and the trig point even comes into view, although was of no interest as the top is five metres short of being a mountain. We pressed on.
It was a long walk along the moor, but we were already at 600m so not much climbing to be done, just a couple of miles of path walking. It was seriously windy now, not surprising as Birks Fell is at the head of a valley bounded by Pen-y-Gent on one side and Darnbrook Fell on the other. Finally we came to the small pile of stones that signified the summit and we were greatly amused to declare that we had climbed one of Britains lowest mountains! It is just 2,001 feet high and in fact, originally wasn't included as the first measurements had it lower than the magic 2,000 feet. Either way, it's a respectable mountain and not one to take lightly.
The descent involved a bit more walking along the ridge, before turning left at a wall and picking up a flagstone path that led down, eventually becoming a grassy track and then a very stony (and slippery) track down to the road. There was no alternative at this point but to follow the road right back to the car, which actually wasn't too bad and made a pleasant change from the rough moor.
Peaks climbed : Great Knoutberry Hill(672m)
Total Distance : 4km, Total Ascent : 169m
There is a handy car park at the end of a lane which is flat until the left turn at the double field gate so eases in nicely. From there, it is directly up to the summit following the fence. The actual summit is a small stone cairn and easily reached. Return is the reverse.
