Kings Tree - Slippery Stones - Horse Stone Naze - Crow Stones Edge - Outer Edge - Cut Gate Path - Margery Hill - Nether Hey - Howden Dam - Howden Reservoir - Slippery Stones - Kings Tree

It is not very often that one gets the opportunity to drive around Howden Reservoir to Kings Tree with lovely weather but today was an exception. The road from Fairholmes Car Park is closed on Sundays and weekdays for much of the year. From Kings Tree the walk advances to Slippery Stones and then follows the River Derwent to near Horse Stone Naze. Next you need to retrace your steps to follow a path up to Crow Stones Edge. After another short climb one reaches the summit of Outer Edge. Great views from here. There were two plumes of smoke looking east from the summit (not sure what from). The route to Margery Hill is a boggy and peaty one which follows a line of small posts. It was necessary to veer to the right of the line of posts for better ground. Only attempt in good weather unless you have excellent navigational skills. After crossing the Cut Gate Path the route then climbs to Margery Hill (again superb views). Howden Edge is then followed (with excellent views back to Outer Edge and Margery Hill) for a time before descending down to Howden Reservoir via Nether Hey. The path is an obvious one to start with then it disappears while crossing a very wet and boggy area. Eventually a good path is met once more to finally descend down to the reservoir. Its well worth taking the path down to the dam especially if the water is flowing over the top of the dam. The walk finally ends with a trudge back to Slippery Stones and Kings Tree along the edge of Howden Reservoir.

Reference Books Used