KIRKBY STEPHEN - 10th May 2026

 Photo: by Clare V

Thirty-six members of SFWC set off for Kirkby Stephen with another promise of fair weather. Surely they couldn’t have a third dry walk?? But yes, the run of 'good luck' weather wise seems to be holding out!

Geoff’s group left Kirkby Stephen heading first for Ewbank Scar and Ladthwaite Beck which seemed to be a lightly used route requiring much limbo-ing and jumping over fallen trees.

Next to Birkett Hill they found a bullock who was happy to see them and started their ascent towards  Nine Riggs navigating various bogs with mainly sunshine. After lunch just before Nine Riggs they got to the top just in time to spot Stuart on his own route before the clouds rolled in dropping the temperature a little.

Heading back they followed the coast to coast mainly before diverting to extend the walk first to the North of Kirkby Stephen and then across the 2 viaducts.

Great day with about 14 miles or so walked.

With Paul not being on yesterday's outing, Stuart’s usual followers mostly opted to join Clare's party, which resulted in a larger than usual total of 16, which Clare very capably handled.

With his mate John also absent, Stu chose to 'walk solo', and headed for Nine Standards Rigg, the classic Pennine summit with its nine tall drystone cairns, all of different shapes.

These appeared on eighteenth century maps, are around ten feet tall and there is a theory that they were constructed by the Roman army to imitate troops!

That fable aside, the cairns have been lovingly looked after and maintained by local folk to this day.

Beginning at Kirkby Stephen railway station, some two miles before the village itself, a downhill path led to the River Eden, and Stenkrith Bridge, where a spectacular arch stands across waterfalls and rocks eroded over time.

The old railway path leads to Podgill Viaduct, always worth a visit.

Climbing up to Ewbank Scar, partly hidden in dense trees, a torturous little path cuts through woodland carpeted with bluebells and fallen trees, resulting in some 'limbo dancing' to pass underneath!

Emerging into open land once more, the climb proper followed the famous Coast to Coast route, taking you up to Nine Standards Rigg summit.

Recently laid millstone slabs, reclaimed from factories, makes the going so much easier than it was before. No more sliding into mud and boggy holes! 

Once on the summit, admiring and photographing the cairns is a must. A large party of adults with kids was enjoying a picnic, and a couple of youngsters told him that they had actually helped build these cairns a few years ago!! They were aged about five or six, so he just agreed and congratulated them, tongue in cheek! 

Heading south to a magnificent bronze viewpoint, the lakeland mountains were all indicated and visible. Blencathra, Helvellyn, Old Man Of Coniston and Black Combe to mention a few. Also to the north were Cross fell and Great Dun Fell, to the south Pen y Ghent was visible. Fantastic.

Geoff's party appeared over at the trig pillar, and waves were exchanged.

The trig pillar marking the true summit was just south of this, and going beyond following the millstone path to White Mossy Hill was an 'add on' to the walk.

This diversion meant that turning west to descend across unpathed rough grassland required a bit of compass work.

Descending to the aptly named Lamps Moss, not too boggy at this time, a short climb to Tailbridge Hill brought a welcome sit down at the summit cairn, great views again all round.

Dropping down quickly towards Nateby, various footpaths led back to the old railway path, where lo and behold the Oldham’s group suddenly appeared.

With time in hand and the weather so nice, an extension to the walk along the old railway seemed a good idea.

Passing through Hartley and across some fields led him into Kirkby Stephen still with plenty of time to change footwear and join other members for a drink in the Black Bull

Great day, about 14 miles and 2,200 feet.

Pat G’s group which included Steph & Lorna, started their walk from Newbiggin-on-Lune  and followed the disused railway line passing Smardale nature trail and the Smardale viaduct. This was a good route passing some lovely scenery all around. After passing Smardale Hall they made their way on to Kirkby Stephen calling at the farmhouse and cafe on the way.

As they were back in Kirkby Stephen quite early they decided to do another walk - a very pretty route along the River Eden and through the trees.  Their walk was supposed to be 7 miles long but ended up 10 miles. A very good day with lovely weather and there was even a Viking event on in the town for them to visit on their return.

Keith’s group left the coach at Newbiggin-on-Lune with the sun shining brightly and barely a cloud in the sky, and headed for the old railway route through Smardale. This walk was quite different to the usual high peaks however it did not disappoint. Spring had definitely sprung within the valleys with wild garlic and bluebells in every direction, and as the group made their way towards Soulby, everyone talked about how nice it was to walk through places they had never been before. From Soulby, the group headed towards Winton before making their way up the small but steep peaks of Long Rigg, Birkett Hill and Birkett Hill (two different peaks of the same name but completely separate!!). Unfortunately they were unable to climb the peak of High Out Wood due to a footpath no longer being there so they made their descent down to Kirkby Stephen via Ewbank Scar. This was definitely a highlight of the walk with the lush, green woods and the imposing wall of the scar encouraging talk of fairies and witchcraft. A lovely day was had by all with 16 miles completed.

For John G and Debbie it was a brilliant day from start to finish, and because their walk began at an altitude of 920ft there was more down than up! Early on, the trick was to avoid toppling into any of Wharton Fell's many sinkholes whilst marvelling at the excellent all-round views. Then it was down into Mallerstang where a team were busy tackling a landslip that was blocking the Settle-Carlisle rail line. Finally back north to Kirkby Stephen following the delightful River Eden.

Clare V’s group totalling 16 walkers set off from Kirkby Stephen on Clare’s circular walk around the Mallerstang valley, generally following both sides of the River Eden as far as Pendragon Castle. Predominantly easy walking with ascents up Birkett Common (1,368th highest hill in Britain!!), and Great Bell to get the heart rate up and the blood pumping; the walk was interspersed with an old hall, 2 Norman castles (or what was left of them), lots of evidence of the industrial heritage of the area and 2 viaducts that the group couldn’t get down to see as the path was closed due to dangerous erosion. Fortunately the weather was again kind and the walk was accompanied by lushly green and beautiful scenery, the scent of wild garlic and bluebells, plenty of chat and good company and an excellent view of Wild Boar Clough. 11 miles with 2000ft ascent.

Thanks again to all of the leaders who put together a varied set of walks in breathtaking countryside, including Pat G, Clare V, Keith, Mike J, Geoff, Stu & John G. And to all of the photographers - Pat G, Clare V, Anne, Andy C, Chris, Monika, Pam T, Dawn, Howie, Claire D, Neil O, Mike J, Dave W, Geoff, Darren, Stu & John G - who produced some absolutely stunning images of the area around Kirkby Stephen.

Click HERE to open the photo album.

Click HERE and HERE to see Darren's videos of Nine Standards Rigg.

Next Walks:

Sunday 24^th May 2026 – Grassington

5.30 p.m. departure

Northbound to Preston, on to the M65, M65 eastbound to junction 7, via A6185/A678 to the A680, A671 to roundabout N of Whalley, A59 to the Skipton roundabout, B6265 to Grassington. Park in Grassington. Morning coffee stop at Darwen services, M65.

Sunday 7^th June 2026 – Shap (via A6) to Sedbergh

5.30 p.m. departure

Northbound to Preston, M6 north to junction 36, A590, A6 through Kendal and northbound to join M6 at junction 39, then southbound to junction 37, A684 to Sedbergh. Park in Sedbergh. Morning coffee stop at Burton services.

Sunday 21^st June 2026 – Braithwaite

5.30 p.m. departure

Northbound to Preston, M6 north to junction 40, A66 westbound towards Braithwaite. Park at the Braithwaite end of the minor road that runs on the north side of the A66 from just after Portinscale. Morning coffee stop at Tebay services.

Sunday 5^th July 2026 – Betws-y-Coed via Ogwen

5.30 p.m. departure

M57 south, Mersey Gateway Bridge, M56, A55 westbound to junction 11, A5 through Bethesda, Ogwen, Capel Curig and on to Betws-y-Coed. Park in Betws-y-Coed. Return via outbound route. Morning coffee stop at Chester services, M56.