Walking Britain Cumbria Walk
Hartley circular from Kirkby Stephen
Maps | |||
| Ordnance Survey Explorer OL19 | Sheet Map | 1:25k | BUY |
| Anquet OS Explorer OL19 | Digital Map | 1:25k | BUY |
| Ordnance Survey Landranger 98 | Sheet Map | 1:50k | BUY |
| Anquet OS Landranger 98 | Digital Map | 1:50k | BUY |
It is recommended you take a map. The preferred scale is 1:25k. | |||
Walk Route Description
This circular walk starts from the pleasant town of Kirkby Stephen and explores the rolling country lying to the east of the town. The route includes riverside walking, a section of woodland, views across wild moorland and the Vale of Eden. Part of the return route is along a quiet country lane offering a grandstand view of Kirkby Stephen.
There is plenty of parking in Kirkby Stephen including a car park to the west of the main road (grid ref. NY772088). Wherever you park locate the entrance to the parish church in the Market Square. With your back to the church turn left and walk down the narrow road next to the newsagents. Follow the sign for River Eden and Frank's Bridge down an alley, Stone Shot. At the bottom turn left and cross Frank's Bridge. Turn right along a path following the River Eden which is on your right.
The path joins a walled lane. Shortly after the first bend in the River Eden turn left on a signed footpath (grid ref. NY779080). This leads across a field to a bridge over a disused railway (grid ref. NY780077). Continue on the path through two fields to reach a junction of paths (grid ref. NY782074). Bear left here through woodland to follow Ladthwaite Beck upstream. The path climbs away from the beck before contouring across the northern slopes of Birkett Hill to reach Ladthwaite Farm.
Bear left here and follow the signed path initially alongside a wall on your left. The path then leaves this wall and climbs more steeply up to a tarmac lane (grid ref. NY799075). East from here there are grand views across Hartley Fell whilst directly ahead lies another Birkett Hill! To continue turn west (left) down the tarmac lane. This descends quite sharply in places with the vast expanse of Hartley Quarry to your left.
Continue on the lane until it starts to level out before Hartley village. Cross the first small bridge on the left (grid ref. NY782085) and turn left to locate a footpath on your right. This leads across a meadow back to Frank's Bridge from where you retrace your steps back into Kirkby Stephen.
Other walks nearby
Walk 1447 Nine Standards Rigg from Kirkby Stephen - moderate - 9.5 miles/15.4 km
Walk 2538 Nateby & Waitby Common from Kirkby Stephen - easy/mod - 6.2 miles/10.1 km
Walk 1382 Mallerstang circular from Nateby - easy/mod - 7.0 miles/11.4 km
Walk 1386 Nine Standards Rigg from Hartley Birkett - easy/mod - 4.5 miles/7.3 km
Walk 3573 Wild Boar Fell from Pendragon Castle - moderate - 8.3 miles/13.5 km
Walk 1383 Pendragon Castle from Outhgill - easy - 2.3 miles/3.7 km
Walk 1341 Nine Standards Rigg, Near Nateby - moderate - 6.0 miles/9.8 km
Walk 1389 Fell End Clouds near Kirkby Stephen - easy - 3.0 miles/4.9 km
Walk 1342 Randygill Top from Weasdale, Howgills - moderate - 6.0 miles/9.8 km
Walk 1616 Bowderdale and the Calf - moderate - 10.0 miles/16.3 km
Recommended Books & eBooks
Hadrian's Wall Path
Hadrians Wall Path guidebook to walk the 84 mile National Trail. Described in both directions, the main description is west to east between Bowness-on-Solway and Wallsend, Newcastle, with extensions to Maryport and South Shields. With extensive historical information related to this World Heritage site and separate 1:25,000 OS map booklet included.
More information
Walking the Lake District Fells - Mardale and the Far East
Part of the Walking the Lake District Fells series, this guidebook covers a wide range of routes to 36 Lakeland summits that can be climbed from the Ullswater, Haweswater, Troutbeck, Kentmere and Longsleddale valleys, with highlights including High Street, Place Fell and the Kentmere fells. Suggestions for longer ridge routes are also included.
More information
The National Trails
This inspirational guidebook looks at each of the UK's 19 National Trails, with information that allows ease of comparison and contrast, inspiring you to find out more and to take up a long-distance challenge. Some Trails are short and easy, others much longer, many have strong themes - they may follow a coastline, or traverse ranges of hills.
More information
