Around the brim of Wether Fell walking and hiking route

Walk Instructions

Burtersett is situated on the lower flanks of Wether Fell, resting quietly beneath a satellite summit named Yorburgh, off the A684 road between Bainbridge and Hawes. An air of peacefulness is evident, yet in the nineteenth century things were much different. At that time a thriving stone industry existed. Copious amounts of stone slabs were quarried around Burtersett. According to local historians, Ella Pontefract and Marie Hartley, fifteen thousand tons of stone flags were sent from Hawes railway station every month. Stone was transported from Burtersett to Hawes by horse drawn wagons.

Start from the top end of the village, heading west to pass ‘South View’ cottage. Swing left at a signpost to Wether Fell. The upward slog begins at once!

Beyond the houses an obvious track leads through a gate, continuing upwards to another gate bearing a Roman Road sign. Superb views unfurl with every step. Hawes church always prominent and the tiny hamlet of Sedbusk nestling on the opposite hillside.

Eventually the northern escarpment of Wether Fell comes into sight. Ignore a gate and stile to the right, keeping to the main track as it leads past a wall angle on the right. Make for a wall directly up front with a metal roofed shed close by.

Beyond the shed pass through the broken wall (summit of Yorburgh to left, identified by aerial) to rise along the main track and arrive at a gate, walking with the sounds of skylark, curlew and golden plover in the springtime.

Pass through the gate; turn right to accompany the wall around the northern brim of Wether Fell to merge with Cam High Road (Roman Road). The summit is flat, uninteresting and extremely boggy at certain times. Little is achieved by deviating to the summit - an area known as Drumaldrace. The path, which skirts the high flanks of the fell, is only a few feet below the high point.

The northern end of the fell offers views of the Sleddale valley and Dodd Fell.

At the Roman Road swing left, descending towards a signpost on the left, (approximately one mile) indicating Burtersett. Along the way a surprise sighting of Semerwater is presented. Also, the conifer-cloaked hills forming Raydale are evident.

Leaving the road behind, head downhill, towards a stile (left of gate). Within minutes Burtersett suddenly appears far below. Aim towards a conifer plantation - ladder stile - then continue towards Burtersett passing through several stiles along the way.

Disclaimer: This route was correct at time of writing. However, alterations can happen if development or boundary changes occur, and there is no guarantee of permanent access. These walks have been published for use by site visitors on the understanding that neither HPB Management Limited nor any other person connected with Holiday Property Bond is responsible for the safety or wellbeing of those following the routes as described. It is walkers' own responsibility to be adequately prepared and equipped for the ‎level of walk and the weather conditions and to assess the safety and accessibility of the walk.