Stage 3 of the Westmorland and Furness Way runs Kirkby Stephen to Sedbergh across the Howgill Fells (Yorkshire Dales National Park), rated Moderate. There are two options: a shorter, higher, more exposed high route (12.9 miles / 20.8 km) over The Calf, and a longer, gentler low route (15.7 miles / 25.2 km) through the valley. Free GPX downloads for both are below.
Free and un-gated — no sign-up. Load the GPX into your GPS device or phone app.
Elevation Profile — Low Route
Elevation derived from the route GPX sampled against the Copernicus DEM (Open-Meteo). Figures are approximate.
Elevation Profile — High Route
Elevation derived from the route GPX sampled against the Copernicus DEM (Open-Meteo). 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. The high route is the shorter but tougher option (about 12.9 miles), 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 longer but gentler (about 15.7 miles), keeping to valley and lower ground and passing near Ravenstonedale.
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
12.9 miles (20.8 km) · ascent 696 m · high point 670 m
Shorter but tougher: 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
Longer but gentler, keeping to valley and lower ground. The safer, more sheltered choice in poor weather or for less-experienced walkers.
The high-route GPX track begins a few kilometres south of Kirkby Stephen, after a common section shared with the valley route out of town. Check the official waymarking for exactly where the high and low routes divide before committing to the ridge.
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.
Some details on this stage change with the seasons or the trail's ongoing development. Confirm these against a current, primary source before you set off:
- GPS coordinates/compass bearings for safe bailout off the high ridge in low visibility.
- Natural water source availability on the high route.
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. The high route is shorter (about 12.9 miles) but 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 longer (about 15.7 miles) but gentler and much safer in poor 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.