Walking Britain Cumbria Walk
Nine Standards Rigg from Kirkby Stephen
Walk Route Description
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Starting from the pleasant town of Kirkby Stephen this walk explores the rolling country lying to the east of the town before taking a section of the Coast to Coast path to the summit of Nine Standards Rigg. The route includes riverside walking, a section of woodland, wild moorland and views across the Vale of Eden. The return leg into Kirkby Stephen 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!
From the tarmac lane turn right, go through a metal gate and walk along a track signed Coast to Coast path initially in a south-easterly direction. The track undulates for a while generally following a wall on your right. Reaching a path junction at grid ref. NY810067 bear left leaving the track to follow a clear path across the moor. Initially Faraday Gill is to your left but as height is gained the stream is crossed.
Nine Standards disappear from sight on this section and feel further away than they really are. Nowhere is the climbing steep but the path is somewhat tedious across the moor. Eventually the Nine Standards come into sight and your objective is close at hand. The large cairns offer a fine viewpoint and it's a perfect place to rest. If you wish to reach the true summit then this is marked by a trig point some 500 metres to the south. However the view is not so good.
After enjoying the views return to grid ref. NY799075 and continue west 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.
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. | |||
GPS files - right click or option-click the button and choose "Save As..." to download this file.
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