High Seat (709m)

Gregory Chapel / Archy Styrigg (695m)

Hugh Seat (689m) 

Summit: High Seat - NY 802 012

Summit Cairn: 709 metres

Walked: 17th & 18th May 2014

Distance: 21.2 km (13.2 miles)

Time taken: 2 days (wild camp on summit)

Start/Finish: Kirkby Stephen station / Gardale Station

Weather: Warm, sunny, dry but windy. 

Height gain: 560 metres

Map: OL19

Route: Linear walk from Kirkby Stephen station to Garsdale Station via Nateby, Thringill, Bells, High Seat, Gregory Chapel, Eden Springs, Hugh Seat, Hell Gill, High Way, Moorcock Inn, Garsdale Station.

Two superb days of warm, dry weather. The walk from High Seat to Hugh Seat is one of the best in England, certainly the finest walk I've done for a long time. This area is as remote and wild as it gets in England, with nothing but hills as far as the eye can see (including all seven 700m mountains/fells in the Yorkshire Dales). En route we passed Eden Springs, the source of the River Eden, as well as the sources of the rivers Swale and Ure - this is the watershed of England too. The views are magnificent, and the sense of space overwhelming.

Much of this walk heads across Open Access land, with indistinct paths in places. Navigation may be difficult in poor weather. I walked this route with my 8-year old son and a friend of mine with his two sons. NB: In England and Wales all land is privately owned, and wild camping is not permitted unless with the permission of the land owner. That said, it is a tolerated tradition in the mountains as long as you camp late, leave early and leave absolutely no trace of your presence. 

PHOTOS OF THE WALK

These photos are in order, and the files are named. Copyright Mark Reid 2014

High Seat

Gregory Chapel

Hugh Seat