Rylstone Cross

I parked up in Rylstone on a little patch next to the road, shouldered the bag, and set off along Chapel Lane to start the loop. It’s a straightforward beginning, and before long I was turning right onto the path that climbs up towards Rylstone Cross. The pull up to the cross is enough to get the legs working, but it never feels like a slog. It’s one of those climbs that’s over before you’ve had chance to properly complain about it, and the views opening out behind make it well worth the effort.

From Rylstone Cross, I carried on over the top towards Cracoe Fell, with the route feeling open and airy without being too wild. There’s a nice sense of making ground without the walk ever dragging on, which is part of why I liked this one so much. The best point of the route for me was the war memorial on Cracoe Fell, where I stopped for lunch. There’s a cracking rocky seating area there, ideal for sitting down with a brew and something to eat while looking out over the surrounding hills. Proper good lunch spot, that.

After that, I headed down via Abraham’s Hill and through Nine Gates into Cracoe, which gives the walk a nice change of character after the higher ground. From Cracoe, it’s a simple enough finish, crossing Chapel Lane and making the way back to Rylstone. It’s a really nice round that feels varied without being overlong, and it suits a day when I fancy a decent hill walk without committing to a full-day epic.

After the war memorial, you’re heading back down. That’s where it can get a touch boggy on the fields when you come off the fell. It wasn’t too bad when I did it, but if you’re walking after rain, it could be worse, so bring your gaiters just in case.