HOWGILLS
ADVENTURES
East of the Lake District lie the Howgill fells, a captivating wilderness often overlooked as travellers whoosh up the M6. Easily done, but you would not believe the treasures you are missing out on! Since 2017, the entire Howgills range has been included within the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Derived from the Old Norse 'haugr' (hill) and 'gil ' (narrow valley) this modest mountain range boasts England's highest cascading waterfall, breath-taking panoramas, waterfalls in abundance, canyons that will take you back in time and wild ponies that will steal your heart!
Alfred Wainwright likened the fells to “a herd of sleeping elephants” but with INTO THE OUTSIDE there’s no time to sleep! The adventure potential of this area is immense and we have plenty of ways to share it with you!
GUIDED
WALKS
From the Howgills' highest point, the Calf (676m), radiate a complex series of ridges like spokes on a wheel with deep deserted valleys and phenomenal waterfalls hidden in between. The summit push is rewarded with extensive views of the Northern Pennines, the eastern fells of the Lake District, and the Yorkshire 3 Peaks! Unlike many of the Lake District slopes, the Howgills are pretty much clear of bracken and almost completely free of boundary walls adding to the alluring sense of remoteness. An INTO THE OUTSIDE Howgills guided walk is hands down the best way to explore the best grassland walking in England! We can cater to your individual interests, fitness and timescale. Weather permitting, we can guide you wherever you want to go!
INTO THE OUTSIDE are all about bespoke adventure so if you've got the energy why not combine a 1/2 day Howgills walk with another 1/2 day adventure for the ultimate Combo day?!
HARVEYS HOWGILL TOPS
(2 DAYS)
Challenge time! An arduous 60km circuit of the 40 tops over 400m with 3500m of ascent first completed 1985 in just under 12hrs! You will be pleased to hear that at INTO THE OUTSIDE we aim to take the pace down a notch from record-breaking gallop to memory-making hike, dividing the journey equally across 2 days with an overnight stay in either Sedbergh or Ravenstonedale. See our Accommodation Partners page for options, or if you would prefer a night under canvas check out the INTO THE OUTSIDE's Tipi! See every corner of the Howgills in 48hrs - It is a journey very few have done, and a memory that will stay with you forever.
For prices and booking information click here.
GHYLL
SCRAMBLE
INTO THE OUTSIDE's Howgills ghyll scramble in a secret canyon provides you with the opportunity to immerse yourself in a world of ancient fossils, jungle foliage, charging rapids and bubbling pools! This is a truly special place to get wet and wild with friends and family! Not only that but on the walk in you will pass a spectacular 8m waterfall where we can finish with a final swim if you're keen!
The nature of this spectacular venue means it is very responsive to rainfall. However, INTO THE OUTSIDE has a back up wet-weather location so your scrambling adventure can always go ahead!
Ghyll Scrambling requires a good level of physical fitness as you will be out for a number of hours exerting yourself in the elements.
INTO THE OUTSIDE are all about bespoke adventure so if you've got the energy why not combine Ghyll Scrambling with another 1/2 day adventure for the ultimate Combo day?!
For prices and booking information click here.
MOUNTAIN
BIKING
The Howgills are home to some of England's finest mountain bike routes! Ian Boydon (author of Mountain biking in the Yorkshire Dales) hits the nail right on the head: "expect high level riding with magnificent wide vistas; scintillating stretches of single track through deserted mountain valleys; twisting technical fun in the woods and challenging climbs for the mountain goats" it’s got it all!
INTO THE OUTSIDE offer action packed days out to cover all skill levels, each one offers their own unique experience. Whichever one you choose you are guaranteed to have a gripping day out on two wheels!
Choose from Newbie, Next Level or Shredder - for a full description of what these entail click here.
For prices and booking information click here.
WILD
SWIMMING
Swim guides Becki and Dan are constantly discovering new swim spots in this hidden corner of Cumbria and lead trips all year round. The steep Howgills waterways are river dipping and waterfall plunging heaven! We can provide wetsuits, hats, gloves, boots and tow floats if you would like them or you are welcome to bring your own along with swimwear and towel.
Swim Amongst Mountains
Walk with us to discover one of the Howgills more accessible swim spots. This can be a river or waterfall swim and is a perfect activity! We also offer the opportunity to swim at sunrise, sunset and even in the dark for an extra special wild swim experience.
Swimming with Altitude
Hike to one of the more remote Howgill mountain waterfall plunge pools. Leave civilisation behind as you disappear into the back and beyond, basking in the wildest of waters. Enjoy lunch on the banks listening to cascading waterfall, all the while gazing at jaw dropping mountain scenery.
For prices and booking information click here.
CANOEING & KAYAKING
With the picturesque rivers, Lune and Rawthey, bordering the Howgills and the nearby Killington Reservoir to the South there are paddling adventures on offer for beginners through to experts!
Killington Reservoir is the perfect intimate venue for learning to Canoe or Kayak. With sheltered flat water perfect for learning skills and playing games, a 1/2 day session will see you paddling like a pro! As we journey around the islands near Burns Beck Moss Nature Reserve (SSSI) you might be treated to a glimpse of some owls, curlews, herons and other wildlife!
For the more experienced paddler the rivers, Lune and Rawthey, offer up exceptional kayaking delights. Embark on gentle meandering Grade 1/2 journeys where otters play on the banks or seek out tight, technical gorges and fast flowing features through wild woodland! For our moving water trips you need to be confident paddling on Grade 3+ white water with a solid roll. By this point you will likely have a lot of your own gear, however if you need to hire a white water kayak we can arrange that no problem!
For prices and booking information click here.
Viv & Terry
We have visited the Lake District every year for a decade, but our last 3 trips have been closer to the Yorkshire Dales. We originally contacted Into the Outside to do the Yorkshire 3 peaks which was brilliant but the Howgills totally won us over! So quiet, great places to eat so much to do! We're doing less high-level hiking these days but fancy some canoeing on our next trip for something a bit different.
Annika
For our annual family holiday we based ourselves in Ravenstonedale with the Howgills right on the doorstep! With ages ranging from 1-80 years Into the Outside certainly had their work cut out for them! Becki & Dan designed a week of suitable activities from low level walks visiting waterfalls and ruins to wild swims in waterfalls for the more adventurous! The younger generations were guided up Wild Boar fell and there was more wild swimming up there too if I remember rightly!
Ian
I've done almost everything Into the Outside has to offer over the years so I'm pretty excited that they've got a whole new area on offer! Never even heard of the Howgills until Dan & Becki moved house - sounds great. After I've got the Bob Graham Round under my belt in June 2021 I'm going to crack on with the Howgill Tops challenge, meant to be a tough one but Dan assures me I've got what it takes - lets hope so!