March 1999 - Eden Valley - Kirkby Stephen

Range Walking Club
Sunday 21st March 1999 - Eden Valley - Kirkby Stephen

After the excesses of Christmas and the February hot pot, it is time to work on those waistlines. The next outing, on Sunday, 21 March, takes us to the little explored but beautiful area of the Eden Valley lying east of the M6. Walks finish in Kirkby Stephen. As usual the coaches will leave school at 0800 hrs prompt, returning to Formby by approximately 1930 hrs. There will be a TOILET STOP ONLY at Burton Services on the outward journey. The cost of travel is Ł7.00 for adults and Ł4.00 for children and students in full-time education and who were formerly Range High School pupils. Please return slips with cheque (not cash) to the school office by Thursday, 11 March in an envelope marked "Range Walking Club".

'A' Walk
Mallerstang is Yorkshire Dales Country despite the fact it lies just outside the National Park on the western side of the Cumbria/North Yorkshire boundary. The headwaters of the River Eden flow down this beautiful valley, flanked by the dramatic Wild Boar Fell and the vast imposing Mallerstang Edge, the Pennines westerly watershed. The walk starts 2 miles south-west of Kirkby Stephen at Lane Head (Map ref 758063) and the route passes around Birkett Common, the ruins of Pendragon Castle, to the small hamlet of Outhgill. A steady climb up the flanks of Mallerstang Edge with a final scramble up Headley Gill opens the final ascent to High Seat (2326'), the highest point of the ridge with extensive views over the whole valley and distant ones to Whernside and Pen-y-ghent. The route goes due north along the Mallerstang Plateau via High Pike (2189') before descending to Nateby Common (1550'), a route via Locthwaite and Ewbank Scar is followed back to Kirkby Stephen.
Distance: 12 miles
Ascent: 1500'
Leaders: Rob Scurr and Ken Bryning
'B'+ Walk
Starting from Ravenstonedale, just off the A685, the walk makes use of a quiet lane for 1¾ miles heading south-east to the junction with the A683 at the 'Fat Lamb'. Passing quickly by, the route then follows field paths to Stennerskeugh where the only real climb of the walk begins, using 'Cloud Lane' to continue south-east across exposed fell side to the highest point of the walk (1850') at High Dolphinsty (GR766000). From this point, the views of Mallerstang Valley ahead, The Nab to our right and The Howgills behind, are stunning. Plunging steeply down into the valley, the route finally turns north to follow the west bank of the River Eden back to Kirkby Stephen by way of Pendragon Castle, Lammerside Castle and Wharton Hall. Please note - This is a full 6-hour walk and will require a fairly steady pace throughout the day.
Distance: 11 miles
Ascent: 1250'
Leaders: Dave Purdy and Glennis Poole
'B' Walk
Our circular walk starts with a series of gradual climbs as we make our way via Whingill and Cote Garth into the fell to the east of Kirkby Stephen. From the end of the Fell Lane track we head for Little Longrigg Scar and on to Ladthwaite. Distant views over to Mallerstang are available as we continue via Nateby to Mire Close Bridge to cross over the River Eden. Wharton Hail and Halfpenny House are passed on the final part of the walk.
Distance: 9 miles
Ascent: 1100'
Leaders: Barry Whitby and Peter Houghton
'C' Walk
From Newbiggin-on-Lune (705052) we drop south to Will Hill before swinging round to the east through Greenside (713039) and into Coldbeck (720044) where there may be time for a warming drink. Tracking Scandal Beck we then head north to Smardale Bridge (721059) before striking out north-east over Smardale Fell. Dropping down from the fell we limbo under the Settle-Carlisle railway line (754074) and wind our way into Kirkby Stephen. A largely low level walk which, with the usual priviso, should present attractive views of the surrounding countryside and distant Lakeland fells The downside is that sections of clinging mud may make it appear tougher than the distance suggests
Distance: 7¼ miles
Ascent: 650'
Leaders: Janet Purdy and Ray Webb