Walking in Cumbria's Eden Valley
30 walks between the Yorkshire Dales and the Solway salt marshes
Walking in Cumbria's Eden Valley
30 walks between the Yorkshire Dales and the Solway salt marshes
Guidebook to 30 graded walks in Cumbria's Eden Valley. The routes, which range from 3 to 15 miles and are best from bases such as Kirkby Stephen and Appleby, explore the region's diverse landscapes and offer dramatic views, either of the Pennines, Lake District or the Scottish hills. Linear routes link with the Settle-Carlisle railway.Explore the unspoilt charm of Cumbria’s Eden Valley with 30 inspiring day walks between the wild Pennine uplands and the vast Solway salt marshes. Discover tranquil riverside paths, dramatic moorland, ancient castles, and red sandstone villages, far from the crowds of the Lake District yet just as rich in natural beauty and heritage.
From gentle woodland rambles to challenging high-level hikes, these routes offer year-round adventure, with wide Pennine vistas, limestone uplands, and sweeping views to the Scottish hills.
Ideal for both new and seasoned walkers, this comprehensive Cicerone guidebook features 30 routes ranging from 6 to 20km (4–12 miles), each designed to be completed in 3–8 hours. Most walks are circular, with two linear routes following the scenic Settle–Carlisle railway. Enjoy easy access from Kirkby Stephen, Appleby, Penrith, and Carlisle, as well as delightful villages like Dufton and Brampton.
- Experience the best of the Eden Valley, from the river’s wild source high in the Yorkshire Dales, through undulating countryside and pretty villages, to the bird-rich Solway Firth.
- Enjoy year-round walking, with routes graded from gentle woodland strolls to stamina-testing moorland hikes on Cross Fell and High Cup, offering something for every ability and season.
- Choose from 30 varied Eden Valley walks, each with a 1:50,000 OS map extract, route summary, start and finish points, estimated walking time, detailed information on refreshments, public transport, and local accommodation options, plus free downloadable GPX files for every route.
- Discover local history and points of interest with routes that feature prehistoric settlements, enigmatic stone circles, Pendragon Castle, Smardale Gill, and classic red sandstone villages.
- Walks range from riverside rambles along the Eden and its tributaries (including the Lowther, Lyvennet, and Gelt) to dramatic limestone uplands, peaceful woods, and the open spaces of the Solway marshes, showcasing the full variety of this beautiful and little-visited valley.
- Explore a walker’s paradise with easy access from mainline rail stations and excellent bases in Kirkby Stephen, Appleby, Penrith, Carlisle, and characterful villages, making planning and transport simple.
Plan your Eden Valley adventure with confidence and discover one of England’s most idyllic and uncrowded walking areas, at your own pace, in every season. With this definitive Cicerone guidebook, enjoy the wild Pennine horizons, authentic rural landscapes, and hidden treasures of Cumbria’s Eden Valley.
Walking in Cumbria’s Eden Valley – Quick Facts
Location: Cumbria’s Eden Valley, from the Yorkshire Dales to the Solway Firth, North West England
Number of routes: 30 day walks (mostly circular, 2 linear)
Distance: 6–20km (4–12 miles) per walk
Duration: 3–8 hours per walk
Areas covered: Kirkby Stephen, Appleby, Dufton, Penrith, Carlisle, Brampton, Kirkoswald, Ravenstonedale, Crosby Ravensworth, Wetheral
Route type: Circular and linear walks, including Settle–Carlisle railway routes
Difficulty: Suitable for all walkers; from easy riverside strolls to demanding upland hikes
Terrain: Riversides, limestone uplands, woods, moorland, marshes, red sandstone villages, prehistoric sites, castles
Navigation: 1:50,000 OS map extracts and downloadable GPX files for each walk
Best season: Walks available year-round; expect varied weather—every season brings unique highlights
Highlights: Pennine views, Cross Fell, High Cup, Solway salt marshes, Pendragon Castle, ancient stone circles, charming villages
Equipment: Walking boots, layered clothing, map/GPX device, and weather protection recommended
Refreshments & facilities: Information on local pubs, cafés, shops, public transport, and accommodation included for each walk
Author Highlight
"If Cumbria’s beautiful Eden Valley were anywhere but right next to the Lake District, it would be full of tourists. In reality, few venture this far from Cumbria’s best-known National Park, leaving locals to delight in the fact that they have this wonderful area – with its rich natural and human heritage, and its beautiful and diverse landscapes – all to themselves.”
- Vivienne Crow, author of Walking in Cumbria's Eden Valley
Printed book
A guidebook with detailed route descriptions, stage breakdowns, accommodation listings, profiles and maps - everything you need on the trail.
ISBN
9781852849016
Availability
Published
Published
16 Oct 2018
Edition
Second
Pages
184
Size
17.20 x 11.60 x 1.05cm
Weight
210g
eBook
The complete digital edition of the guidebook, with full route descriptions, accommodation listings, profiles and maps, ready to use on any device. To access your eBook, you will need an eReader app. For more details, visit the eBook FAQs.
Map key
Overview map
Introduction
The Eden Valley
Geology
Wildlife and habitats
History
Weather
Where to stay
Getting around
Waymarking and access
Dogs
Maps
Clothing, equipment and safety
Using this guide
Walks
Walk 1 Wild Boar Fell
Walk 2 Mallerstang Edge and High Seat
Walk 3 Nine Standards
Walk 4 Smardale Fell and Ash Fell Edge
Walk 5 Crosby Garrett Fell and Smardale Gill
Walk 6 The Infant Eden and Pendragon Castle
Walk 7 Kirkby Stephen to Appleby
Walk 8 Great Asby Scar
Walk 9 Potts Valley and the Orton Fells
Walk 10 Crosby Ravensworth Fell
Walk 11 Knipescar Common and River Lowther
Walk 12 River Lyvennet at King’s Meaburn
Walk 13 Rutter Force and Hoff Beck
Walk 14 High Cup and Scordale
Walk 15 Murton Pike
Walk 16 Flakebridge Wood and Dufton Ghyll
Walk 17 Dufton Pike
Walk 18 High Cup via Great Rundale
Walk 19 Cross Fell
Walk 20 Long Meg and Her Daughters
Walk 21 Melmerby Fell
Walk 22 Kirkoswald and Raven Beck
Walk 23 Armathwaite and Coombs Wood
Walk 24 Croglin and Newbiggin
Walk 25 Wetheral
Walk 26 Talkin Fell and Simmerson Hill
Walk 27 Talkin Tarn and the Gelt
Walk 28 Quarry Beck and Ridgewood
Walk 29 Burgh Marsh
Walk 30 Campfield Marsh and Bowness Common
Appendix A Route summary table
Appendix B Useful contacts
Seasons
All year round - each season holds its own delights - but walkers should be prepared for the possibility of snow on the hills in winter.
Centres
Kirkby Stephen, Appleby, Crosby Ravensworth, Dufton, Penrith, Kirkoswald, Armathwaite, Brampton, Carlisle.
Difficulty
Terrain includes pathless moorland, which can be boggy in places, farmland and good riverside tracks and trails. Routes from 6-24km, graded 1-5. Navigational competence and stamina is required for some of the higher routes. No scrambling involved.
Must See
Cross Fell, the highest point on the Pennines; breath-taking High Cup; the ruins of Pendragon Castle; limestone pavement within the extended Yorkshire Dales National Park; a disused railway and imposing viaduct in Smardale Gill; prehistoric settlements; delightful red sandstone villages; pretty wooded gorges; and one of the largest and most atmospheric stone circles in England.
May 2026
Walk 12 (River Lyvennet at King’s Meaburn)
On page 88, the second sentence in the walk description should now read: 'About 100m after passing the 40mph speed limit sign – and just short of the national speed limit sign – go through a signposted gap in the wall on the left. (This is very overgrown, so is hard to spot.)'
The final paragraph on page 89 and the first paragraph on page 90 should be deleted and replaced with: 'When you reach the bridge leading to King’s Meaburn Mill, do not cross it; instead, cross the track and continue beside the river. After descending some steps, a gate leads on to a grassy stretch of riverbank.
'After the next stile, the path climbs slightly – the old right of way having been swallowed by the river. Cross another stile into woodland, walk beside the fence on the right but then quickly recross it at the next stile and descend the slope to regain the riverbank. Turn left. The trail gradually swings away from the river and makes its way to a gate in the hedgerow, behind an interpretation panel.'
September 2023
Walk 29 (Burgh Marsh)
Much of this route is currently closed while repairs are carried out to unsafe bridges.
Much of this route is currently closed while repairs are carried out to unsafe bridges.
September 2022
Walk 15 (Murton Pike)
A reader has informed us that all but one of the waymarker posts mentioned in the Murton Pike walk no longer exist. That means that, without any paths on the ground, navigation will be difficult, particularly in poor visibility.
Walkers who still wish to do this route and who are competent with a map and compass on rough, pathless ground, should follow the path (later a faint trail) up Trundale Gill for 1.3km from the point at which it is first encountered in the fifth paragraph of the walk description. At the 1.3km mark, climb out of the gill, to the right. When the gradient eases, head SW across the rough, boggy moorland for 750m to reach the trig pillar on Murton Pike.
January 2022
Walk 5
Walk 5 (Crosby Garrett Fell and Smardale Gill):
The car park for walk 5, as listed in the book, is now intended for Blue Badge holders only. Those wanting to complete the walk should start from Cumbria Wildlife Trust’s new, larger Smardale car park. This is located about 230 metres north-east of the junction of Beck Lane and School Lane (grid reference NY 742 083).
With the new start/end point, there are some changes to the walk description…
Readers should ignore the first sentence of the walk description on page 48 in the book. The route now begins: 'Walk to the far end of the car park and through the gate. After following the trackbed of the disused railway, climb the walkway to a road junction. Turn right here (but not sharp right).” Readers then pick up the walk description in the book from, “Cross the footbridge over Scandal Beck…'
The end of the walk is also slightly different. Readers should ignore the final sentence on page 52 in the book. It needs to be replaced with the following: 'The railway path ends 2.9km after you first joined it. Beyond the gate at its far end, bear left along the rough track and then turn right at the road. Having walked the asphalt for 115m, you’ll see a road going off to the left. Go through the gate to the right of this junction and retrace your steps to the car park.'
Walkers should also be aware that the railway path south of the viaduct is closed Monday to Friday while improvement work takes place. For the latest information on this closure, go to www.cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk/nature-reserves/smardal
July 2020
Route update
Walk 8 (P67) (First edition only)
There isn't a phone box in the village of Maulds Meaburn. Text should now read: 'From the village information point, walk south along the road...'
Free Royal Mail 48 postage on UK orders. European postage is £3.50 per item. Worldwide postage is £5.50 per item. If you're not happy with your purchase for any reason, we'll give you a full refund.
Learn moreDiscover the Cicerone App
The Cicerone App brings decades of expertise straight to your phone, making it easier than ever to plan and enjoy your adventures wherever you are. For use with In-App guides — not compatible with eBooks.
Popular related guides
