Strenuous Leader: Carole Distance : Approx 9 miles
This varied undulating walk has less climbs and less miles than usual on account of the heat.
Through Kirkby Stephen and along Croglam Lane along the Coast to Coast Walk to Greenriggs. North to Hartley Road and along the River Eden where we join the North Viaduct Round and go via Hartley to Stenkrith Bridge. Following the River Eden south for a while then east to Nateby and Lockthwaite. Turning north we go cross country and return to Kirkby Stephen along the River Eden.
Moderate Leader: David Distance : 8 ish miles
Make are way to Winton then onto Whingil. We encountered some friendly cows on was, but they were fine. After passing through Hartley, we proceed to go past the Quarries and admire the vies at top of the road. We then make are way to Ladthwaite and return to Kirby Stephen. During the walk we will encounter Styles, fields, paths, and quiet roads. We may come across cows, sheep, deer and loads of rabbits. We had no problem with the cows and one bull during the recce they were not interested in us and just moved of the path.
Easy Leader: Jackie Distance: 5 miles
From Kirkby Stephen we go down to the River Eden to cross Franks Bridge. We then follow the river north to New Bridge. After a short stretch of road we follow lanes and tracks to bring us to the small village of Hartley. A bit of uphill to gain access to disused railway track which we follow high above the valley passing over Merrygill Viaduct and Podgill Viaduct to arrive at Skenkrith Bridge. We then follow the river and meadows back to Franks Bridge and Kirkby Stephen. A mixture of lanes, tracks and footpaths, not too hilly.
NOTES ON THE AREA
Kirkby Stephen is a market town and civil parish in Westmorland and Furness, historically part of Westmorland, it is surrounded by sparsely populated hill country, about 25 miles (40 km) from the nearest larger towns Kendal and Penrith. The River Eden rises 6 miles (9.7 km) away in the peat bogs below Hugh Seat and passes the eastern edge of the town. The town was built for defence against Border raiders and has narrow. high-walled passages and spacious squares into which cattle could be driven in times of trouble.
The market square is surrounded by a ring of cobblestones which demarcate the area used until 1820 for bull baiting, a sport which ended after a disaster which followed when a bull broke free. The square is also flanked by a number of buildings of especial importance, notably the cloisters, built between the church and the square in 1810, to provide shelter for churchgoers and market people. The money to build the cloisters came from a bequest from John Waller, a naval purser, who was born in the town, the cloisters were also used for a butter market.
The Church of St Stephen, known locally as the Cathedral of the Dales, bears traces of Saxon and Norman handiwork, and Dalesfolk have worshipped on this site since Saxon times. In the former county of Westmorland the church was second in size only to Kendal and boasts a long stately nave and 13th century arcades. Until the early part of the 20th century, a curfew bell was still rung each evening from the 16th century church tower. The church contains the Loki Stone, named after a Norse God. The stone dates from the 8th century and depicts a bound devil. It is one of only two such stones in Europe.
On the southern edge of the town is the site of Croglam Castle, a prehistoric oval enclosure with a ditch and external bank. Also on the outskirts of town, notably at Wharton Hall, are excellent examples of strip lynchets and strip farming.