Harland Hill

About Harland Hill

Rising above the head of Wensleydale near Hawes, this quiet Tump offers a secluded alternative to the popular Pennine Way. Its broad, grassy slopes sit between the hidden valleys of Sleddale and Raydale, providing a straightforward ascent with expansive views across to the limestone scars of Addlebrough and the massive bulk of Ingleborough.

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Did You Know?

• •The name is thought to derive from the Old English 'hara' and 'land', meaning 'land of the hares'. This likely refers to the historical abundance of brown hares that still frequent these high, open limestone pastures and peat moors.
• •Harland Hill occupies a strategic ridge separating the valleys of Sleddale and Raydale. While many walkers bypass it via the nearby Cam High Road—a remarkably straight Roman road—the summit itself provides one of the best perspectives of Semer Water, one of the few natural lakes in the Yorkshire Dales.
• •From the 535-metre summit, the view to the north is dominated by the steep escarpments of Stags Fell and Lovely Seat, while the eastern horizon is marked by the distinctive, tiered limestone profile of Addlebrough.
• •The hill is marked by a network of ancient drystone walls that delineate the boundaries of the Gayle and Hawes common lands, a testament to centuries of high-altitude sheep farming in the North Riding.
• •The summit plateau is so relentlessly level that you may find yourself wandering in optimistic circles for ten minutes just to ensure you have stood on the specific tussock that constitutes the actual highest point.