Walking
The Upper Eden is particularly known for the diverse walking available which tends to be quieter and unspoilt away from the Lakes.
We are sandwiched between the Yorkshire Dales National Park, Lake District National Park and North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with the Dales, Westmorland Mountains and Howgills all in very easy reach.
Take a stroll along the River Eden and the Poetry Path or climb up to the iconic Nine Standards high on Hartley Fell on Wainwright’s famous Coast to Coast long distance trail. There are miles of low level Public Rights of Way or higher Open Access Land as well as four other long distance trails, Lady Anne’s Way, Pennine Journey, Howgill and Limestone Trail, Yoredale Way and Swale Way that start, finish or pass through Kirkby Stephen.
Kirkby Stephen became the first Walkers are Welcome accredited town in Cumbria in April 2009. The national Walkers are Welcome Towns Network UK scheme involves a long term commitment to surveying, monitoring and improving Public Rights of Way and generally progressing facilities for walkers. See the Kirkby Stephen Walkers are Welcome website packed with local walking information and FREE downloads. There is also an events section for events of interest to walkers and contains the Dawdles programmes of short guided walks for residents and visitors.
KSWaW also have a “Rights of Way Problem Reporting” system online or cards available at the Visitor Centre if you should encounter any problems while out and about. Let us know any problems and we will feedback with up to date information.
The Visitor Centre carries maps and booklets for local walks from a 3k Kirkby Stephen Family Adventure Trail free leaflet and Town Trail at 30p upwards. There is a collection of Discovery Guides and Peter McWilliam brochures, Eden and walks for further afield. They also carry publications for long distance trails.