A path leaves Little Asby in a north east direction to head across flowering fallow fields down the side of the valley. Opposite are the fields making up the farmland to the west of Crosby Garrett village, and the reservoir at the top of Ladle Lane.

Groups Hollows is the name given for a large area of exposed rocks and scars, which occupy the eastern bank of Crosby Garrett Fell as it falls to the Potts Valley. The scars are visible as you approach the valley from Little Asby.

Potts is the name of the ruined dwelling on the east bank of the Potts Beck that is adjacent to a small footbridge spanning the Beck. The dwelling was at one time substantial. A path stretches north from it to Newclose Lane, and also west to Ladle Lane, intersecting Newclose Lane near to a small reservoir part way up to Crosby Garrett.

The path beside Potts Beck winds between Little Asby Scar to the west and Groups Hollows to the east. Groups Hollows is an area of limestone outcroppings that curve filamentally along the east of the Beck below Windy Bank.

Looking towards Groups Hollows from Hazzler Brow Scar the rocky outcroppings are visible opposite to the grass riverbank of Little Asby Scar. Potts Beck is trunslucent all along Little Asby Scar due to its flowing over a bed of limestone, manifesting an attractive habitat for many small aquatic species.

Hazzler Brow Scar is another arc of exposed limestone. It curves east and southwards, rising up Crosby Garrett Fell, keeping in line with the path, which at this point leaves the riverbank to head uphill at a similar angle to the Scar.

The Potts Valley walk soon meets the limestone scar of Little Asby as the exposed rock creeps to the valley floor. Ahead is Armaside Wood, which looks, from a distance, much larger than it is in actuality. Potts Beck is, from here, enclosed by a boundary wall, restricting its view somewhat.

Armiside Wood is a small woodland made up of deciduous trees and due to its elevated position it is late in budding. The larger trees were not even showing signs of it in May. The Wood populates the south east face of Little Asby Scar, opposite to Hazzler Brow Scar.

Where The south face of Little Asby Scar meets Potts Beck, the watercourse meanders considerably. There are many springs issuing from the foot of the Scar that run directly into the Beck. Most watercourses meander at their end stage. Potts Beck is an exception in that it meanders very close to its source. Some of the meanders are exaggerated by the convergence of freshly issuing springs.

As you wander up Little Ewe Fell from Potts Valley the true magnificence of Little Asby Scar unfolds as the entire south face erupts into view. The long ridge of exposed limestone is followed downwards by large scree runs, some of which reach the edge of Potts Beck.

At Scar House and Mazon Wath the Potts Beck is culverted beneath the moorland road, where it gently drifts from its nearby source in the Sunbiggin/Black Rayseat swampland. The watercourse is fringed with draping riverbank flora that provide a lush habitat for riverbank creatures.

The clapper bridge spanning Potts Beck at Water Houses is a Scheduled Monument. Clapper bridges are structures that convey a path across a river by one or more large, flat stones, which rest directly on the river bank or are supported by piers. This bridge is a well-preserved, rare genus of clapper bridge in so far as the scheduling also includes the associated flagged path. There are 7 large flags making up the bridge, supported by single upright flags.

Coast to Coast Trail Guide

"Hiking the Coast to Coast" is a digitally enhanced eBook available from Apple Books for all people who have either a Mac, an iPhone or an iPad, and is designed to accompany you on your walk of the Coast to Coast path. The trail guide contains Ordnance Survey maps and other advanced mapping features, step by step directions, hundreds of colour photographs, details of the route, its conditions in different weather and research snippets relating to places of interest along the way.