Reston Scar

Staveley from the ascent of Reston Scar
Staveley from the ascent of Reston Scar

Route Introduction

Two fells of Reston Scar and Hugill Fell are included in Alfred Wainwright’s Outlying Fells of Lakeland. They are both situated on the southeastern edge of the Lake District National Park. This route card suggests a fantastic route for someone peak bagging the Outlying Fells of Lakeland.

Adventurer Nic walked this route on Sunday 7th June 2020. These were Outlier numbers 20 and 21 of 116 for Nic. Here, she explains how you can bag these outlying fells too.

Reston Scar Route Stats

Fells: Reston Scar (255m) and Hugill Fell (265m)

Total Distance: 4.8km / 2.98miles

Total Ascent: 160m / 525ft

Approx Walk Time: 1.5 hours

Grid Reference Start: SD 471983  

Reston Scar Route Report

The Lead Up

That morning my boyfriend James and I hiked Whitbarrow with friends, and after a coffee in Staveley we commenced our hike of Reston Scar and Hugill Fell from the centre of the village.

The Ascent

Firstly, we left the village and headed north up Silver Street. Shortly after that, two left turns onto School Lane and Brow Lane followed. Subsequently, we ascended away from the village on a track past farmers fields to the north.

Cows lazing in the sunshine just outside Staveley
Cows lazing in the sunshine just outside Staveley

As the trail wound uphill to the west, gorse bushes lined the way.

Staveley from the ascent of Reston Scar
Staveley from the ascent of Reston Scar

We went through a kissing gate to gain a ridge. Beautiful views over quintessential English countryside opened up around us. That is to say, we were mesmerised by the green rolling hills.

Green hills of south Lakeland
Green hills of south Lakeland

We hiked to the summit of Reston Scar over undulating ground.

The Summit – Reston Scar

Adventurer Nic on the summit of Reston Scar, the first of two Wainwright Outlying Fells of Lakeland on this hike
Adventurer Nic on the summit of Reston Scar, the first of two Wainwright Outlying Fells of Lakeland on this hike

The summit was marked by a large cairn. We looked out towards Hugill Fell from the summit of Reston Scar. When Alfred Wainwright wrote his book – The Outlying Fells of Lakeland – access was not permitted between the two hills. Thankfully, in 2020, hill walkers can make a fine circular of these two fells, therefore we took the opportunity to do just that.

Views to the higher fells from Reston Scar
Views to the higher fells from Reston Scar

The Summit – Hugill Fell

We followed the trail north though fields.

Views from the trail between Reston Scar and Hugill Fell
Views from the trail between Reston Scar and Hugill Fell

We visited the highest point of Hugill Fell according to the map, but this is not Wainwright’s summit so we visited the top but then continued on in the direction of Black Crag. We passed through a gap in the wall and up onto the Wainwright summit, which was marked by a small cairn.

Looking towards the Wainwright summit of Hugill Fell
Looking towards the Wainwright summit of Hugill Fell

Ingleborough can be seen from the summit. In addition, we spotted many Lake District classic fells like Crinkle Crags, Scafell Pike, Bowfell, Great End, Great Gable and Harrison Stickle.

Adventurer Nic on Hugill Fell
Adventurer Nic on Hugill Fell

Moreover, the view down the Kentmere valley was really pretty.

The Kentmere Valley from Hugill Fell
The Kentmere Valley from Hugill Fell

The Descent

We descended down following a path to the south east.

Descending Hugill Fell
Descending Hugill Fell

This path led to a tarmacked road. The Kentmere Road led us back into Staveley village.

Wrapping Up

We reflected that the ascent of Reston Scar and Hugill Fell topped off an epic day of peak bagging Wainwright’s Outlying Fells. Above all, we’d enjoyed time in the hills with friends which we’d missed so much during the COVID-19 lockdown. We would continue our quest with Caermote Hill a few days later.

About the Author

Photo of Adventurer Nic on a Loch in the Scottish Highlands

Adventurer Nic is a Munroist, Wainwright ‘Compleator’ and is hiking her local Outlying Fells of Lakeland in the wake of the corona virus pandemic. Let her know what you thought of this post by dropping her a comment.

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