Kirkby Stephen & Podgill

Walk Information

The Podgill Viaduct Walk near Kirkby Stephen is a circular 5km (3 mile) walk following a scenic, historic, and largely accessible route setting off from Kirkby Stephen's market square and featuring magnificent Victorian railway architecture of Podgill viaduct. A listed Grade II structure crossing Pod Gill valley and Ladthwaite Beck.

Accessibility

Please be aware of livestock whilst walking in the countryside, most cows and sheep on public right of ways are safe but stay alert to the potential risk to you and your walking party, especially with cows and calves (see the link for more info. to stay safe).

Keep your dog on a lead around all livestock, even if your dog is especially well-behaved, the poor sheep don’t know this! Especially in lambing time, try to leave the field as calm as you found it.

To learn more about walking in the countryside around farm animals please visit: Countryside Walking Tips: Safety Around Livestock at: www.rspcaassured.org.uk/farmed-animal-welfare/other-animal-welfare-concerns/advice-for-walking-in-the-countryside/

Facilities

Toilets

Kirkby Stephen

Refreshments

Kirkby Stephen

Plan Your Visit

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Parking: Kirkby Stephen

Directions

Start your walk from the cloisters with the Market Square in front of you, turn immediately left and proceed along the lane, past a sign saying River Eden and Frank’s Bridge to Stoneshot.

Follow the road as it curves gently to the right, continuing to the junction at Mellbecks. From there, turn left onto Nateby Road and proceed for approximately 400 metres until you reach the bridleway on the far side of Bollom House.

Turn left down the Bridleway signposted towards Hartley & Nateby. Follow the route downhill, keeping left along the stepped gravel path between open fields, until you reach the gate and cross the footbridge over the River Eden.

Continue along the path, passing the poetry stones and going through the wooden wicket gate. At the path junction, turn right following the sign for Nateby. Stay on this path until you reach the stone bridge spanning the former railway line.

Cross the bridge, then go through the large field gate on your right. Turn right onto the former railway line and follow the path back beneath the bridge you have just crossed.

Follow the former railway line, passing the Platelayers’ Hut before crossing the impressive Podgill Viaduct. From here, enjoy panoramic views across the Upper Eden Valley, stretching towards the distant fells of the Yorkshire Dales National Park and the North Pennines. Continue along the track over Merrygill Viaduct and through the gate, emerging onto the tarmacked road.

Turn left and follow the road until you reach the Coast to Coast path leading back towards Kirkby Stephen. In Hartley, turn left at the village notice board and join the Coast to Coast route, following it back to Frank’s Bridge.

Before crossing Frank’s Bridge, turn right and follow the public footpath beside the River Eden towards Low Mill Bridge. Pass Kirkby Stephen Cricket Club and cross the narrow footbridge to join the road. Turn left across Low Mill Bridge, then after 100m turn left up the narrow path past Rock Cottage.

Keeping parallel to the main road, climb the steps towards Kirkby Stephen Parish Church. Follow Church Walk, passing through the historic cloisters, before emerging back into Market Square.