A circular walk from the market town of Kirkby Stephen in Cumbria. The route explores the rolling country to the south-west of the town visiting the village of Nateby, before continuing close to Wharton Hall and across Waitby Common back to the start.
(D/A)Kirkby Stephen usually has plenty of parking 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.
(1)Continue along the riverside path to reach a footbridge over Ladthwaite Beck (grid ref. NY779082). Here you join a walled track that leads you to the main B6259 through Nateby (grid ref. NY774069). Turn left along the road for a short distance and take the signed bridleway leading down to a bridge below Wharton Hall (grid ref. NY771064). Cross the bridge and walk up to a track which leads south to Wharton Hall.
(2)Turn right along this track for about 300 yards and take the track/footpath on your left which will take you gently uphill to a path junction at grid ref. NY766063. Here take the path on your right following the wall to take you under the Settle and Carlisle railway to Easegill Head. Continue through the buildings here and follow the access track up to the A683.
(3)Turn right along the A683 to Lane Head. Turn left here along the A685 and almost immediately turn right down a quiet lane leading to Waitby to cross the eastern flank of Waitby Common. After three quarters of a mile, take the lane on the right. This is the first lane on the right since leaving the main road. Follow this lane for about 200 yards to turn right onto a signed footpath.
(4)The path goes under the Settle and Carlisle railway. Ignore the path on your left and continue half right across the field to a wall (grid ref. NY756074). Here go half left and follow the path to Greenriggs. Go between the buildings and follow the access road back into Kirkby Stephen.
Waypoints :
D/A : mi 0 - alt. 577ft - Start: parish church in Market Square
1 : mi 0.59 - alt. 594ft - Cross footbridge over Ladthwaite Beck
2 : mi 1.93 - alt. 699ft - Turn right along track
3 : mi 2.9 - alt. 909ft - Turn right along A683 to Lane Head
4 : mi 4 - alt. 869ft - Turn right onto signed footpath
D/A : mi 6.11 - alt. 577ft - Finish: parish church in Market Square
This circular walk starts from the market town of Kirkby Stephen and follows a circular route to explore the rolling country to the south-west of the town. The route uses riverside paths, paths across the rolling country and a short section of road walking. The views are generally good.
Visorando and this author cannot be held responsible in the case of accidents or problems occuring on this walk.
Global average : 4.17/5
Number of opinions : 4
Description quality : 4/5
Routemap quality : 4/5
Walk interest : 4.5/5
Global average : 3.67 / 5
Date of walk
: 12/10/20
Description quality
: Good
Routemap quality
: Average
Walk interest
: Good
Lovely views on the walk by need more detailed directions at junction points
Global average : 4 / 5
Date of walk
: 16/09/19
Description quality
: Average
Routemap quality
: Good
Walk interest
: Very good
The description says that there is usually plenty of parking in KS - not on a market day which it was on 13.9.19. We had to give up and drive to Nateby where we found a lay-by and access directly to the walk. The walk details at 2 need more detail as it isn't obvious where this path goes - even the farmworker moving the cattle didn't know where the path to Easegill Head went - and the grass was so lush that no path was obvious. Not may people could have used it in the last month or so. Could do with a little more detail through the farm buildings to give us reassurance. We were fine until we reached 4. The path across the field to the railway was populated with a large herd of cattle including a massive bull. Being in our mid 70s discretion was better than valour so we retraced our steps back to our start point in Nateby. Not the best outcome but an enjoyable walk even if a bit longer than we expected.
Global average : 4.67 / 5
Date of walk
: 29/04/19
Description quality
: Very good
Routemap quality
: Good
Walk interest
: Very good
A lovely and very interesting walk with no dificulty.
Global average : 4.33 / 5
Date of walk
: 13/02/18
Description quality
: Good
Routemap quality
: Very good
Walk interest
: Good
Fairly straightforward walk around the environs of kirkby stephen and associated villages. Quite mixed terrain but very waterlogged when we did the walk so the fields were very muddy. Some lovely scenery and countryside to enjoy. KS has some nice places to eat aswell. Good introductory walk to the area without too much difficulty or route finding.
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The GPS track and description are the property of the author.