The Calf via Cautley Spout
The Howgills feel unlike anywhere else in the Dales — smooth rounded ridges, no walls, no paths to speak of — just open fell running at its best.
Effort: Shorter distance, serious climb
Underfoot: Open fell or rough terrain
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Mostly runnable, with some steep sections you'll likely walk.
The classic Howgill Fells circuit via Cautley Spout — England's highest above-ground waterfall — to the broad summit of The Calf at 676m.
The Howgills feel unlike anywhere else in the Dales — smooth rounded ridges, no walls, no paths to speak of — just open fell running at its best.
The route
The Howgill Fells are unlike the rest of the Yorkshire Dales — smooth, grassy, rounded hills with no drystone walls and a different feel entirely. Starting from the Cross Keys at Cautley, the route climbs alongside Cautley Spout — a 200m series of cascades that is one of England's most dramatic waterfalls.
The Calf
From the top of the falls the ridge opens up and the running becomes excellent — fast grassy turf on broad ridges. The Calf at 676m is the highest point of the Howgills, with views to the Lake District, the Three Peaks, and the Eden Valley.
The descent
The return follows the ridge south before dropping back to the valley — a satisfying circular of around 17km.
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Very few paths in the Howgills — navigation by map and compass essential in cloud. The fell sides are steep and grass can be slippery. No fences or walls for shelter.
Summits on this route
Safety on this route
- No signal? Text 999 — pre-register first: text register to 999
- Tell someone your route and expected return time before you head out
Leave No Trace
- Leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but memories.
- Please respect the countryside and all its inhabitants.
- Dogs on leads near livestock, and around ground-nesting birds from March to July.
- Gates as you find them — open or closed, leave it that way for the farmer and the next runner.
- Take it all home — wrappers, peel, tissue, the lot. It doesn't count as biodegradable if you can still see it.
- Stick to the path where the ground either side is wet, planted, or nesting habitat.
Common questions
- Most runners complete The Calf via Cautley Spout in 2 hours 50 minutes to 3 hours 50 minutes, depending on pace and conditions.
Run by us· last checked July 2026
Jason Millward has run this route and written it up from the ground. How we check routes
About the author
Runner reports
Nobody's logged a run here yet. If you get out on it, a few lines about how it went helps the next person plan their day.
MODERATE
HARDRaces on this ground
All Yorkshire Dales races →Races starting within 20 km of the The Calf via Cautley Spout start, nearest first. If you are entered for one, this route is the rehearsal.
24
Apr
2027
The Fellsman Dart
Redshaw checkpoint, Hawes to Ingleton road, North Yorkshire · The Fellsman · 10 miles away
Half the Fellsman, thirty miles from Redshaw to Threshfield.
Not open yet
10
Jan
2027
Winter Spine Challenger North
Hardraw, North Yorkshire · The Spine Race · 11 miles away
Hardraw to Kirk Yetholm, the northern hundred and sixty, starting at dusk.
Event full
13
Jun
2027
Summer Spine Challenger North
Hardraw, North Yorkshire · The Spine Race · 11 miles away
Hardraw to Kirk Yetholm in June, on a tighter limit than the winter race.
Event full
5
Jun
2027
Lake District Challenge
Kendal Basecamp, Cumbria · Ultra Challenge · 12 miles away
A hundred kilometres around the southern Lake District from Kendal, or fifty or twenty-five.
Entries open