SD6685 : Path towards Calf Top

Calf Top

610m Elevation
320m Prominence
England Country
Find walking friends Explore routes

Good walks are even better shared.

SD6685 : Path towards Calf Top

Steven Brown Photo source

Explore routes near Calf Top

Walks starting near this hill. Open a route to check its map, distance and full itinerary.

Ingleton Waterfalls Walk

6.8 km ~2h 30m Moderate

View route

Ingleborough from Clapham

~5h Hard

View route

Pen-y-ghent from Horton in Ribbonsdale

10.1 km ~3h 50m Hard

View route

Malham Landscape Trail: Janet's Foss, Gordale Scar, and Malham Cove

8.1 km ~2h 30m Moderate

View route

Route planning notes

These notes describe possible approaches. Check a route's map and access information when planning your walk.

The Calf to Calf Top Circular

A popular circular route starting from the village of Cowan Bridge, taking hikers through stunning scenery and varied terrain.

11.5 km ~4.5 hours Moderate

Bolton by Bowland Route

A pleasant route starting from Bolton by Bowland with a gradual ascent and delightful views.

9 km ~3 hours Moderate
Browse more walks on the map

Make a day of it, together

Find someone to share the walk with, or organise a day out along a route you like.

Find walking friends Plan a walk here
Hill facts and local notes

Classifications

Marilyn Simm Hewitt Nuttall

Elevation

610m

2,000 ft

Prominence

320m

Coordinates

54.2652, -2.5166

SD664856

OS Map

98

Explorer: OL2W

At the Summit

At the summit of Calf Top, you'll find a large, evocative cairn, which is akin to a historical trophy for hikers. There's also a trig point that will make you feel like you’ve really ‘topped’ your day!

Terrain & Geology

A mix of grassy slopes and rocky patches with some sections of track that can become boggy after rainfall. Your boots will love you for this!

Composed primarily of limestone, Calf Top has been shaped by glacial activity, offering a fascinating insight into the geological processes at play in this region. You might even spot some vertical limestone cliffs steeped in ancient marine fossils.

Views & Scenery

From the summit, enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding Yorkshire Dales, with the more famous Ingleborough, Whernside, and Pen-y-Ghent visible on the horizon. On a clear day, the spectacle will leave you speechless... until you start snapping pictures, of course!

History & Heritage

Name Origin

The name 'Calf Top' presumably reflects its pastoral roots, as 'calf' relates to young cattle, making you think of the serene Dales landscape.

Historical Significance

Calf Top is a regular stop for hikers in the Yorkshire Dales, reflecting the area's flourishing walking culture and the historical connection to agriculture.

Getting There & Facilities

Parking

Parking is available at Cowan Bridge, where you can find spaces along the roadside or in designated areas. Just be sure not to block any entrances; we wouldn’t want to upset the locals!

Public Transport

Buses run to Cowan Bridge from surrounding towns such as Kirkby Lonsdale, making it relatively easy to access without a car.

Nearby Facilities

Cowan Bridge has a few charming cafes where you can fuel up before your hike, and there are public toilets available. Perfect for those pre-hike pit stops!

Safety Information

Known Hazards

  • Rocky outcrops that can be tricky when wet, so mind your step! Also, the weather can change swiftly in the Dales, so be prepared with the right gear.

General Safety Tips

  • Check weather conditions before setting out
  • Carry appropriate clothing and equipment
  • Let someone know your planned route
  • Take a map, compass, and GPS device
  • Carry emergency supplies: food, water, first aid kit, torch

Hills

Some common questions about the hills answered

Are there group walks up Calf Top?

Many walkers use Walkmates to join or organise walks with others. You can check for group walks around Calf Top through the maps

Are there other walkers around Calf Top?

Activity varies by location and time, but Walkmates lets you see whether others have shared walks or shown interest in this area. Find other people through the walking friends search walking friends for Calf Top search or of course create your own walk for Calf Top

Can I organise a walk to Calf Top?

Yes. If there aren’t any walks listed already, you can create a walk and make it available for others to join.

If you're signed up to Walkmates, you can create a walk to Calf Top.

How do I find a walk up this hill?

There are often multiple ways to walk this hill, depending on experience and route preference. Walkmates helps you explore walks and routes that others have shared.

Can I suggest a new route up Calf Top?

Yes. You can suggest or create routes to share with others. Walkmates focuses on the social side of walking, so routes are used to help people organise walks and explore areas together, rather than as detailed navigation tools or route libraries.

Other uses really appreciate knowledgeable walkers sharing their routes. Share your favourite route to Calf Top here

The is an error or something incorrect about this hill. How do I let you know?

We always strive to keep the information on Walkmates as accurate as possible. If you find an error, please let us know through the contact form and we'll aim to correct it as quickly as possible

Location

View the hill's mapped position and surrounding paths.

Grid reference: SD664856

View on OpenStreetMap

Opens a map in a new tab, centred on the hill.

Nearby Hills

The Calf

677m

 Whernside

Whernside

737m

 Ingleborough

Ingleborough

723m

 Pen-y-ghent

Pen-y-ghent

694m

Nine Standards Rigg

662m
See 5 more nearby hills