Stage 3 of the Westmorland and Furness Way runs Kirkby Stephen to Sedbergh across the Howgill Fells (Yorkshire Dales National Park), rated Moderate. The two options divide at Ravenstonedale: a longer, higher, more exposed high route (18.4 miles / 29.6 km) over The Calf, and a shorter, gentler low route (15.7 miles / 25.2 km) through the valley. Free GPX downloads for both are below.
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Elevation Profile — Low Route
Elevation derived from the route GPX sampled against a digital elevation model (Open-Meteo (Copernicus DEM)). Figures are approximate.
Elevation Profile — High Route
Elevation derived from the route GPX sampled against a digital elevation model (Open-Meteo (Copernicus DEM)). Figures are approximate.
Key Takeaways
Terrain & What to Expect
Stage 3 crosses from the Eden Valley into the Yorkshire Dales National Park and the Howgill Fells — the smooth, steep-sided, grassy hills Wainwright likened to "a huddle of sleeping elephants". Out of Kirkby Stephen the trail passes close to the Iron Age hillfort of Croglam Castle and the elegant arches of the Smardale viaduct before heading for the fells.
This stage offers a genuine choice. Both options share the first 5.5 miles from Kirkby Stephen to Ravenstonedale, where they divide. The high route is the longer and much tougher option (about 18.4 miles in all), taking in the exposed ridge over The Calf (676 m), the highest of the Howgills, with the spectacular waterfall of Cautley Spout nearby — superb in clear weather, but serious and navigationally demanding in cloud or wind. The low route is shorter and gentler (about 15.7 miles), heading south from Ravenstonedale on quiet lanes and moorland paths that stay below about 420 m.
Both finish in Sedbergh beside the River Rawthey — England's official "Book Town" and a lovely place to spend the night.
High Route vs Low Route
High Route
18.4 miles (29.6 km) · ascent 967 m · high point 671 m
Longer and tougher: it leaves the low route at Ravenstonedale for an exposed ridge crossing over The Calf. Superb views in clear weather; serious and hard to navigate in cloud or wind. No facilities and no guaranteed water.
Low Route
15.7 miles (25.2 km) · ascent 643 m · high point 420 m
Shorter and gentler, keeping to lanes and lower moorland below about 420 m. The safer, more sheltered choice in poor weather or for less-experienced walkers.
The two routes share the first 5.5 miles out of Kirkby Stephen and divide at Ravenstonedale, which makes the village the natural place to decide: check the forecast there and take the low route if the tops are in cloud or the wind is strong. Both GPX files run the full way from Kirkby Stephen to Sedbergh.
Transport: Getting to the Start & Finish
Getting to the start (Kirkby Stephen): Kirkby Stephen is on the Settle–Carlisle railway and has bus connections, so it's one of the more accessible stage starts.
Leaving the finish (Sedbergh): Sedbergh is served by bus (with links towards Kendal and the Oxenholme main-line station). Check current timetables, as services are less frequent in the evenings and on Sundays.
Where to Stay & Eat
Kirkby Stephen at the start and Sedbergh at the finish both have good pubs, cafés, shops and accommodation.
The high route over The Calf has no facilities whatsoever — no shops, no cafés, no reliable shelter and limited certainty over water — so treat it as a full mountain crossing and carry everything you need.
On the low route, Ravenstonedale (a short detour) has a well-regarded village pub. Either way, Sedbergh is the place to eat and rest at the end of the day.
Stage 3 FAQs
It depends on the weather and your experience. Both share the first 5.5 miles to Ravenstonedale, where they divide. The high route is longer (about 18.4 miles in all) and crosses the exposed ridge over The Calf — spectacular in clear conditions, but serious and navigationally demanding in cloud or wind, with no facilities and no guaranteed water. The low route is shorter (about 15.7 miles), gentler and much safer in poor weather; the official route guidance also recommends it in bad weather. In doubt, take the low route.
The Calf is 676 m, the highest of the Howgill Fells. The high route passes over or very close to it; the route's own high point on this stage is around 670 m based on the elevation data.
It can be. It's an open, exposed grassy ridge with steep ground nearby (including around Cautley Spout), few landmarks in mist and no shelter. In rain, low cloud or strong wind, navigation is hard and conditions turn quickly — less-experienced walkers should take the low route instead.
Continue the Trail
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