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Nine Standards Rigg from Birk Dale

Yorkshire Dales Walk

Nat Park - Yorkshire Dales - Swaledale

County/Area - North Yorkshire

Author - Lou Johnson

Length - 6.0 miles / 9.8 km    Ascent - 700 feet / 212 metres

Time - 3 hours 40 minutes    Grade - moderate

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Ordnance Survey Explorer OL19Sheet Map1:25kBUY
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Walk Route Description

Photo from the walk - Nine Standards Rigg
Click image to visit gallery of 6 images.

Nine Standards Rigg is a collection of large roughly built cairns that offer a commanding view across the Vale of Eden. Technically the summit is not within the boundaries of the Yorkshire Dales National Park although most of the approach route is. The path also forms part of the "Coast to Coast" route and thus sees busy periods. It should be noted that this walk crosses wild and desolate moorland that can be very wet underfoot after rain. It also should not be attempted unless you are familiar with this type of terrain and have suitable navigation skills should visibility worsen during the walk.

The start is a small lay-by (Grid ref. NY832027) on the B6270 road from Nateby (near Kirkby Stephen) to Keld (Swaledale) road. It can be hard to locate this spot as there are very few obvious landmarks but there is a footpath fingerpost to help its location.

The path from the fingerpost is hard to locate on the ground. An easier way is to walk along the road in the direction of Keld for approximately 200 metres and take the clear track that heads over the moor on your left. Stay on this for just over 0.5 km to reach another fingerpost with an access map. Turn left along this path heading for a large cairn that is visible from this point. Generally the path is distinct although near some of the wetter patches it is easy to loose the route.

You are now crossing wild moorland and when researching this walk I was amazed at the quiet solitude of this area. Reaching the cairn there is a nice retrospective view with Birkdale Tarn to the south-east. Continue following the path across a section that is wetter underfoot to reach a 'pile of stones'. Turning north the path continues climbing very steadily to cross the almost flat summit of White Mossy Hill. Its name should give you some idea that it is likely to be very squelchy after rain!

Descending, the path continues to another fingerpost in a broad and boggy col before ascending again to reach the trig point (662 m.). The Nine Standards are another 250 metres further north from where excellent views across the Vale of Eden can be enjoyed.

To return to the start all that you need to do is retrace your steps. However do be careful on the section from White Mossy Hill to the 'pile of stones' as the latter are hard to see from this direction and the path does fade in the wetter areas.

Other walks nearby

Walk 1383 Pendragon Castleeasy2.3 miles
Walk 3573 Wild Boar Fell from Pendragon Castlemoderate8.3 miles
Walk 1386 Hartley Birkett & Nine Standards Riggeasy/mod4.5 miles
Walk 1340 Muker & Upper Swaledale from Keldeasy/mod6.5 miles
Walk 1382 Mallerstang circulareasy/mod7.0 miles
Walk 1053 Swinner Gill and Muker from Thwaitemod/hard8.5 miles
Walk 1768 Thomas Gill and Ravenseat from Tan Hillmoderate8.7 miles
Walk 1160 Wild Boar Fell & Swarth Fellmoderate7.0 miles
Walk 1388 Kirkby Stephen & Hartley Circulareasy/mod5.0 miles
Walk 2538 Nateby & Waitby Common from Kirkby Stephen easy/mod6.2 miles

Recommended Books & eBooks

Trail and Fell Running in the Yorkshire Dales

Trail and Fell Running in the Yorkshire DalesGuidebook to 40 of the best trail and fell runs in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Ranging from 5 to 24 miles, the graded runs start from bases such as Ribblehead, Dent, Sedbergh, Malham and Grassington and take in the region's diverse delights, from castles and waterfalls to iconic mountains such as Whernside, Ingleborough and Pen Y Ghent.
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Walking in the Yorkshire Dales: North and East

Walking in the Yorkshire Dales: North and EastThis guidebook contains 43 circular day walks in the north and east Yorkshire Dales. It explores the dales, hills and moors between Kirkby Stephen and Pateley Bridge. Walking ranges from gentle 3 mile strolls to more strenuous day-long rambles across the Howgills, Wensleydale, Swaledale, Nidderdale, Mallerstang and Coverdale.
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