Gragareth

Gragareth is a mountain on the border between Lancashire and North Yorkshire. Its summit reaches 627 metres, making it the second-highest point in modern Lancashire. The western slopes are called Leck Fell, while the southern slopes form Ireby Fell. The summit lies just west of the county boundary but inside the Yorkshire Dales National Park. A county boundary wall runs along the ridge, thought to be one of the highest dry stone walls in the country. The hill offers wide views across Morecambe Bay, the Lake District fells, and the Forest of Bowland. Three tall cairns known as the Three Men of Gragareth stand on the western side above Leck Fell House. Several caves lie within the fell, including Lost John’s Cave, Rumbling Hole, and Ireby Fell Cavern. The hill was once called Greygarth Fell, and its slopes have been walked for centuries. Alfred Wainwright describes an ascent of Gragareth via Leck Fell and a return via Ireby Fell in his book Walks in Limestone Country. The route starts at Ireby village, follows a lane to Leck Fell House, then climbs steeply past the Three Men. The descent passes Ireby Fell Cavern before returning to the village. The fell provides open moorland, rugged paths, and sweeping panoramas of the surrounding hills and valleys.