Great Asby Scar - Saturday 19 October 2024

Route 

Disused Quarry (B6260) - Orton Scar - Beacon Hill - Knott - Castle Folds - Great Asby Scar - High Pike -  Dales High Way - Sunbiggin - Acres - Knott Lane - Orton - Broadfell Farm - Disused Quarry (B6260)

Parking

Disused Quarry (Free) on the B6260 approximately 1.25 miles north of Orton. The Grid Reference is NY 62751 09870 and the nearest postcode is CA10 3RG (this postcode will only take you to Orton).  The walk can also be started from the village of Orton.

Mileage

9.7 miles

Terrain

Field paths, limestone escarpment and some road walking on quiet lanes. If transiting over the limestone escarpment after or during rain then the rock may be slippery therefore care needs to be taken. 

Weather

Sunshine mostly with very little wind

​Time Taken

5hrs 50mins

Total Ascent

3182ft (970m)

Map​

​OL19 - Howgill Fells & Upper Eden Valley

​Walkers

Dave & Angie

​Route Map

The parking area at the disused quarry above Orton on the B6260. The parking in the village is sometimes problematic therefore this starting point, particularly on a weekend was ideal for us.

We arrived nice and early therefore Walshy's kitchen was open for business. On the menu today was Bacon & Egg Pittas.

From the parking area the route crosses the B6260 and passes over the cattle grid. We would be heading alongside the wall in the centre of shot which makes for Beacon Hill.  The Coast to Coast route comes in from the left and heads along the road for a short distance before turning off the road to the left (out of shot).

The climb up the side of the wall starts at this boundary marker below Orton Scar, on the Orton and Crosby Ravensworth parish boundary. 

The path up the side of the wall which heads over Orton Scar to Beacon Hill

Approaching the cross on the top of Beacon Hill 

The Beacon Memorial Cross on Beacon Hill

The beacon was erected on 21 June 1887 by the villagers of Orton and Crosby Ravensworth to celebrate 50 years rule by Queen Victoria

From the cross the route rejoins the wall as it heads over the top of Beacon Hill. The hill over to the right is Knott which is where we were heading next.

At Grid Reference NY 63899 09970 we reached an ornate gate which was the point at which we left the wall

From the gate a grassy path heads down a gentle gradient towards Knott

At the bottom of the descent a crossroads of paths and a gate are reached. Once through the gate we would be bearing slightly left.

At Grid Reference NY 64207 09557 we turned to the left along another grassy path which would lead us up to a wall. We could have easily made a beeline for Knott from here but instead handrailed the wall over to the left.

At Grid Reference NY 64509 09714 we reached the wall - it was now a simple task of following it to reach Knott

Looking back to Beacon Hill from the ascent of Knott

The summit of Knott which lies approximately 100 yards from the wall - marked on the OS Map as Knott and also known as Powson Knott

A summit selfie on Knott

From the summit of Knott we headed back to the wall to reach a hand gate on a stone stile. Over the wall can be seen the start of the vast amount of limestone pavement of Great Asby Scar. There are two options to consider here - if the weather is dry and has been for the last couple of days then a transit over the limestone pavement can be made however if it is wet and therefore the rock is greasy then it is best to handrail the wall which can be seen heading away to the right.

The start of the transit over the limestone pavement. The lump in the distance is the ancient settlement of Castle Folds.

The vastness of the limestone pavement of Great Asby Scar with Castle Folds beyond.

A "Scar" is the local name for a limestone pavement⁠ - an area of limestone rock which has been eroded by an overlying ice sheet during the Last Glacial Maximum and then fissured by rain to form a flat rocky pattern which resembles a man-made pavement. Many limestone pavements in the UK have been exploited by quarrying but this example is comparatively extensive and unspoilt.
The overall area of pavement covers about 15 square miles (39 km2) and is called the Westmorland Scars. Great Asby Scar is in the centre of this region. Other scars include Orton Scar, Grange Scar, and Little Asby Scar. Great Asby Scar was first designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest in 1969 and the designation covers an area of about 864 acres (350 ha). It was also designated as a National Nature Reserve in 1976 and that designation covers an area of about 409.5 acres (165.7 ha).
The walled settlement of Castle Folds was constructed on a small plateau, covering an area of about 1.25 acres and as it dates back to Roman times, is protected as a scheduled monument.

Looking back to the wall as Angie makes her way over the limestone pavement

Beyond Castle Folds the pavement sweeps away into the distance

The area is dotted around with many cairns and in bad weather these should certainly not be used as an aid to navigation

From the cairn we headed over pathless ground to a gate at Grid Reference NY 65503 09530. We would turn left here, again over pathless terrain in the direction of the large group of cairns on High Pike which can be seen left of centre.

Approaching High Pike

The line of cairns on the summit of High Pike - despite extensive research nothing is known as to why and when they were built

Fantastic views in all directions from High Pike

Looking back to Angie descending High Pike as we make our way over to rejoin the wall

More sporadic cairns as we near the wall

The route reaches a gate in the wall at Grid Reference NY 66915 09637 where we joined The Dales High Way.

The Dales High Way is a 90 miles (140 km) long distance trail and runs from Saltaire in West Yorkshire to Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria, roughly parallel to the line of the Settle and Carlisle Railway.

Heading along The Dales High Way with The Howgills in the distance

Looking across to Sunbiggin - we would be passing through there soon

We were given a lovely welcome by these two wild ponies near Mitchell's Stone

Approaching the hamlet of Sunbiggin - we were now on the Coast to Coast Route

Lunch stop at the former Honesty Cafe at Sunbiggin Farm. There used to be a large summer house behind where Angie is sitting complete with Fridge, Kettle, Cakes etc. The summer house was destroyed by Storm Isha in January 2024 and is currently being rebuilt with a view to being open once again soon.

The summer house as it was before Storm Isha

As we were having our lunch Bully accompanied by the wives & kids wandered past (Click Play to view)

Passing the farm at Acres

From Acres the route headed over several fields towards Knott Lane - we stood and watched the farmer rounding up his cows. They were certainly giving him a run for his money.

Approaching Knott Lane 

Looking back towards Acres

Just off Knott Lane is the Gamelands Stone Circle which as we passed was being used as a Ramblers Group coffee stop.

The 46 in number stone circle is a Scheduled Monument and dates from the late Neolithic and early Bronze Age

At the end of Knott Lane the route turns right and heads into the village of Orton

We knew there was a cafe in Orton and Angie was just about keeping below the speed limit in order to reach it before closing time

Passing The George Hotel in Orton - nice to see it back open after being closed for a period

The route turns right just past the pub and passes Orton Market Hall

The 1953 Coronation Shelter & Bus Stop/Library in Orton

On the edge of the village is the Orton Scar Cafe - not dog friendly inside unfortunately

Whilst the Biscoff Slice was ok, the Scone left a lot to be desired

Heading along the B6260 out of Orton - our route would be heading to the right however to the left is All Saints Church

All Saints Church in Orton

The earliest fabric in the church dates from the latter part of the 12th century. The tower was built in the early 16th century, and the porch is dated 1607. In 1877–78, the chancel and north aisle were rebuilt by the Lancaster architects Paley and Austin. In 2006–07, the tower was rendered in lime, giving it a white appearance.

The interior of All Saints Church

The font of All Saints Church

Leaving Orton the path heads to the left of Chapel Beck

The path crosses the beck via a stone bridge as we approach Broadfell Farm

Looking back to Broadfell Farm & The Howgills

The last steep uphill to the B6260 and the parking area - by this time we had rejoined the Coast to Coast route

The lime kiln just below the B6260

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