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Maggie's favourite routes and places :-)
KIRKBY STEPHEN
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There are many fantastic walks from Kirkby Stephen. Below you will find details of one of my all-time favourite walks. The walk is 11.5 miles long and, depending on your pace, should take you in the order of 5-6 hours. (Many thanks to Frances for this treasure of a trek!) Click on the thumbnail to see a map of the route for this walk. NB PDF form. |
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| Summary | |
| Distance : | 11.5 miles / 18.5 kilometers |
| Required map & Grid Reference : | Outdoor Leisure Map 19 & GR 775 086 |
| Start / Finish : | Kirkby Stephen town centre. A variety of parking options - for day long parking, the car park by the Cattle Market is recommended. Otherwise, the car park by the public toilets is fine - but busy. |
| Estimated time : | 5-6 hours |
| Total ascent : | 1490 feet / 454 meters |
| Terrain : | Mainly good, dry paths, with very little rough or wet. Some road walking. |
| Toilets : | Kirkby Stephen town centre. |
| Refreshments : |
There are several tea shops, pubs and take away shops in Kirkby Stephen town centre. There are no refreshment opportunities en route. |
| First Steps | From the church, cross the main street and proceed up an alley, up past the cattle market (on your left). Turn left near the top of the cattle market, across a field which is part of the cattle market, then turn right. Walk towards open country with playing fields on your right. When you go through a stile, turn left. Head towards a farm and then Greenriggs farm. |
| Things to look out for |
There is so much to see on this walk, that it is hard to list them all. On a good day there will be magnificent views all around the Pennines and the Eden Valley - with particularly good views across to Nine Standards Rigg, Mallerstang Edge and Coldbergh Edge. The view over Smardale viaduct is also memorable, as are the gorse bushes on Ash Fell Edge. Wharton Hall is very impressive, and the river on the return to Kirkby Stephen is splendid - with a deep gorge and impressive waterfall. And all of this is without spending time exploring Kirkby Stephen itself! |
| The final furlong | If you are feeling weary at Wharton Hall you can elect to cut the walk short by walking down the track straight into Kirkby Stephen. However, you will miss a lovely bit of the river - and a chance to wade and clean your boots at Frank's bridge, only a few yards from the starting point. |
| Other places to walk to from Kirkby Stephen | There are many other brilliant walks from Kirkby Stephen. If you get a chance, on a clear day go up to Nine Standards Rigg. Alternatively, take the train down to Garsdale and do a linear walk back. |
| Pictures taken on this walk. | |
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We welcome your feedback. Please send compliments or complaints to: bc.ramblers@yahoo.co.uk |
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