Start/finish: Sedbergh. From the M6 Junction 37 follow the A684 for Sedbergh which is reached in five miles.
 Fact file: Distance: 14 k 8 ½ miles
                  Time:  4 - 5 hours
                 Summary:  Undulating with the broad almost featureless expanse of the Frostrow Fells to navigate. Unless proficient with map and compass do not attempt in misty conditions.
               Maps: OS OL 2 Yorkshire Dales Southern & Western Areas, OS OL 19 Howgill Fells and Upper Eden Valley

Directions: Although situated in Cumbria the Howgills and Sedbergh are within the Yorkshire Dales National Park. From Main Street

turn left onto Loftus Hill passing St Andrew’s Parish Church

and soon after the playing fields of Sedbergh School. By some measures this is one of the most prestigious public schools in England and many of its former pupils have excelled at sport, the arts and politics. Continue downhill to cross the river Rawthey

and bear right to enter the lane

 leading up to the hamlet of Millthrop. Turn right at the next junction then left onto a track beyond the last house.

 For the next 6k / 4 miles you will be following the Dales Way

on a well waymarked route. The track begins a gentle ascent over a spur of Long Rigg. In more open fields where the track divides fork left

on a bridleway

which after passing through Gap Wood

 and then a farm house

drops to the Dent Road close to Gate Manor.

Still on the Dales Way cross the road towards Brackensgill.

 The track takes you across the River Dee

 to the farm of Brackensgill.

Turn left along a lane that is not often disturbed by traffic.

 After almost a mile of road walking turn left onto a footpath (still on the Dales Way)

that will re-unite you with the river.

The footpath leads

onto Barth Bridge in another mile.

So far, so good but the return leg demands rather more careful navigation.  Cross the bridge and turn left. At the next junction with road sign indicating 4 miles to Sedbergh turn right

 up a farm lane. This soon climbs up passing a dense succession of farms. At the first junction turn left

 soon passing Hole House and then a distinctive silo (opposite a pine tree).

This lane then turns sharply right to pass the entrance to Rawridding

and continue still climbing to Lunds. As you enter the farm yard bear to the left of the house to reach a green lane.

  This continues the climb although less steeply and arrives at a tall ladder stile.

When you reach this point give yourself a pat on the back for negotiating the intricacies of the farm lanes. Now comes another altogether different test – a traverse of the featureless Frostrow Fells on far from distinctive footpaths.
As you climb to the ridgeline bear slightly left from the wall but do not go too close to the plantation of trees to the left. As you breast the ridge follow left a bend in the wall

and then cut across a corner to arrive at a sign post on a crossroads of footpaths.

Your way is straight ahead through thigh deep sedge to pick up a more distinctive path than any on offer so far.

Soon the magnificence of the Howgills is before you rewarding the efforts so far.

Sedbergh is to the left of the scene. (If you have a compass your setting will be north west) As you work your way across Long Moor it becomes more difficult to trace the path but head down to Side Farm

briefly joining a bridleway that takes you on a stony track

 past High and Low Hollins. From here navigation back to Sedbergh is a straightforward affair – at the next junction bear right

 to reach the A684.

Turn left. Immediately after crossing the Rawthey turn left onto a riverside footpath.

After the weir

the path turns away from the river, climbs up a hill

and then drops to the town through the grounds of Sedbergh School. Fees for boarding at the school can be as high as £9000 per term but this path leading across to Vicarage Lane

 is yours for free.