Kirkby Stephen - Nine Standards Rigg - Nateby - Kirkby Stephen

Jim Grindle

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The cairns which form the Nine Standards are just about visible from some parts of the town and are a major attraction for walkers despite the many beautiful riverside and valley walks available.

The ascent is a long but steady climb and I have chosen to use the now surfaced fell road to gain height easily. This is also the way that the Coast to Coast Walk goes. The descent is by moorland paths, less distinct, muddier and rougher, but once down there are good bridleways and a short riverside stretch to use.

Views are excellent even when the highest ground has been left. The Standards were rebuilt in 2005 and there are now nine of them again – there used to be lots of smaller ones gradually built by walkers and adding to everybody's confusion. Signposting is also now better than in previous years, but this is a place which requires careful navigation in poor weather; I have been up here in a snowstorm in early November and glad to have found the right way off. Once you have passed Waymark 5 you are on Access Land right to the outskirts of Nateby, so a precise course is not necessary.

England - North England - Cumbria - North Pennines

Features

Ancient Monument, Birds, Butterflies, Cafe, Church, Flowers, Food Shop, Gift Shop, Great Views, Hills or Fells, Moor, Play Area, Pub, Public Transport, Restaurant, River, Tea Shop, Toilets, Wildlife, Woodland

4/6/2012 - Philip Scott

I did this walk yesterday. It was easy to navigate and I found no problems following the route, I followed the authors footsteps and went via the summit of Tailbridge Hill on the way down. I use my phone as a navigation tool using the Viewranger software and on returning to the car park it was showing the distance as 11.3 miles. I later mapped the route that I had taken using an online route planner and it again showed 11.3 miles. This extra distance did not detract from an excellent walk in fine sunny weather. There were several large snowdrifts to negotiate from the heavy snow earlier this week which added to the beauty of the views which are outstanding, the trek down the road into Nateby is a bit of a long trudge on the road but at least its downhill! Overall a very enjoyable walk with easy navigation and excellent views.