These quaintly named landmarks are at the top of the fell wall, on the very boundary of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, on the north slope of Hoove, and can be reached by ascending the open fell to the NW of the forest ascending some 130m. From the Waller's Pond crossroads (reached by the first half of the Forest Walk tour), continue straight on, which leads to a gate at the edge of the forest in 300m. The stile can be climbed without removing skis, or the gate can be opened if the snow isn't too deep. A track heads SW into the bottom of an incised valley. It is usually easiest to head left from the track up a sheltered open slope, heading roughly parallel with the forest wall. This is grassy at first, but as the gradient eases, starts to become more heathery. Just above 450m it is possible to reenter the forest if there is little enough snow to move the gate. There is no stile, and wires above the wall make climbing impractical. Continuing up the fell, gentle heathery slopes lead up to the top wall, where it is possible to continue to the trig point on Hoove. Beyond the wall is grassier, but cut by moorland gripping. The area is rather featureless and probably best avoided in poor visibility. You can also return to the Stang road by heading SE. Avoid the deeply incised and peaty Hurr Gill.

To return by the route of ascent, ski gently downhill through the heather. As the slope is so gentle, the heathery terrain should be little problem. The steeper slopes down to the forest track are grassy, but with a few flattish rocks, so if cover is thin, kick turns may be easiest. Back in the forest, you can return to the car park either by the outward route, or by continuing with the Forest Walk tour.

Tour list   Stang Forest overview
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