Between the Corney Fell road to the south and Devoke Water northwards lie a group of hills of varied character, some of which are beginning to form the view in certain walkers minds that there is something worth investigating here. From the Birker Fell road especially they are easy of access, as a good track leads to Devoke Water at the point where a signpost points to Stanley Ghyll in the opposite direction. The farm lane to Woodend also permits walkers to the tarn and surrounding hills. From Devoke Water a track continues and drops to the coast road at Dyke north of Waberthwaite. A mile south of this Fell Lane leads to another bridleway over the hills, but this one is not always easy to follow yet fascinating to trace as it rises to the ridge between Whitfell the principal height and Stainton Pike. Whitfell like the others is a fine viewpoint, and those who want to enjoy a grand ridge walk away from the crowds can do so here. The grassy Burn Moor links with Buck Barrow a summit of some quality and the Corney Fell road, while north the ridge continues to Stainton Pike, and the splendid cluster of rocky tops above Devoke Water. The sharp little peak of Yoadcastle prominently seen from the Birker Fell road is a notable feature, while the summit and surrounds of White Pike compare well with more famous names in the district. Many people will not even have heard of Whitfell or it's neighbours, but once in a while such less frequented places ought to be visited. It not only makes a nice change, but there really is something worth seeing. I have not covered the smaller heights just north of Devoke Water, but the abrupt little top of Seat How at it's eastern end is visited on one of the walks. In fact a very good circular walk can be devised round the tarn to take in Seat How, Rough Crag,Water Crag and the hills in this chapter. Sadly too the ridge of Muncaster Fell is not included either, but makes a delightful short ridge walk that can take advantage of the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway for the return journey. Perhaps I do like to make a case for all the fells, as I am doing now for Whitfell and the others. I can only add that I have enjoyed every day spent in this area, some on my own, others in the company of my local walking club members or friends. They were delighted to have been here, and I had always been confident that they would be.

ROUTE ONE. WHITFELL FROM BIRKER FELL (Devoke Water) VIA SEAT HOW, WHITE PIKE,        WOODEND HEIGHT (Yoadcastle), AND STAINTON PIKE. 5 miles 1675ft of ascent.

      Here is a walk not too frequently done that offers scenery of a high quality and grand views to the fells above Eskdale. Start along the track to Devoke Water opposite the signpost for Stanley Ghyll, and as the way descends to the tarn with Seat How rising on the left turn up a narrow path. This avoids the lower rocks, and the top is gained by curving round to the left of the main crag. Looking across towards Woodend Height and White Pike a path will be seen ascending the lower grassy slopes. This is not clear by the tarn, but once found can be followed over Rigg Beck and by Stords Hill. White Pike is directly ahead now up an easy shoulder. White Pike has a fine cairn and is a great viewpoint. If approached from the Waberthwaite area over Barnscar it has a wonderful presence. However the ridge should now be followed up to Woodend Height and the peak of Yoadcastle. Both should be visited as the former has a view down to Devoke Water, and the latter apart from an entertaining excercise to reach the top is the way off the fell. Yoadcastle would seem to have a slight height advantage. A path curves round towards Stainton Pike where a fence has to be crossed to reach the summit cairn. Although raised little above the continuing ridge this is a good summit with some attractive rocks. The last part of the walk to Whitfell passes Holehouse Tarn just over the fence again and south to Fox Crags and the bridleway from Waberthwaite to the Duddon Valley. Whitfell rises beyond this, and a path does set out up the fell to the large cairn and O S column. There are no better ways back than to return to Woodend Height and go down from there over Rowantree How to Devoke Water.

ROUTE TWO. WHITFELL FROM ULPHA VIA THE PIKE, HESK FELL, WOODEND HEIGHT (Yoadcastle), AND STAINTON PIKE.
6.25 miles 2500ft of ascent

     Start along the lane by Ulpha Bridge to Millbrow and the Comey Fell road north of the river, and follow it to the old mill where it begins to climb. Take the track on the right here and immediately tum left on a rising path through the woods. Continue ahead beyond the second wall, and look for a path slanting up the hillside back towards it. The route enters Rainsborrow Wood beneath The Pike, and another path from Pike Side joins it from the left to make a sporting crossing of rough ground to the pastures of Baskell Farm. At the farm track bear left up it to the intake gate and onto the access land below The Pike. A direct ascent should be made from here as the path to the depression below Hesk Fell and retum along the ridge by the wall is considerably longer. The summit of The Pike should be savoured for on returning to the depression a long trudge up a pretty featureless yet pleasant slope is required to get to Hesk Fell. Part way up what appears to be a group of old enclosures may be noticed, but there is no mention of these on the map. Curve round from Hesk Fell and make the best of it across the head of Storthes Gill. Aim for a prominent rock with a wall (shelter) before inclining right and ascending the fellside to Yoadcastle. The notes above for Route Two equally apply here from this point to Whitfell. The descent is easily made down the bridleway crossed just below Whitfell going down eastwards to Bigert Mire and along the lane to Ulpha.

ROUTE THREE. WHITFELL FROM THE FELL ROAD VIA KINMONT BUCK BARROW, BUCKBARROW AND BURN MOOR.
3 miles 950ft of ascent.

  Follow the old boundary wall gently up the slope and when Great Paddy Crag is reached just below the summit of Buck Barrow turn left and cut across to the slightly lower summit of Kinmont Buck Barrow. This has a good view seawards and the rocky main top can be appreciated from here. Go over the slight dip between the two, and enjoy a little scrambling on the small crags and the boulders of the main summit. After this there is nothing else to scramble on. Leaving Buck Barrow go down north crossing the grassy depression and ascend the docile slopes to Burn Moor; which at least has a cairn to decorate it's top. Whitfell is now an easy half mile away north eastwards, and the large cairn and survey column will be a welcome sight. So too will be the view which is first rate; a combination of mountain, estuary and the Irish Sea. Despite my lack of enthusiasm for Burn Moor the route should be reversed as no real obvious alternative exists