12½ miles (20km) with 1968ft (600m) Total Ascent
Swarth Fell and Wild Boar Fell together make up the western side of Mallerstang, valley of the infant River Eden. We have the opportunity to visit both these fells today in a linear walk from Garsdale Head through to Kirkby Stephen.
Leaving the coach on the B6259, (just after the Moorcock Railway tunnel), our route first takes us across South Lunds pasture to Turner Hill (465m) where we then have a gradual ascent to Swarth Fell Pike (651m) and Swarth Fell (681m). The views from the summit are excellent and include Wild Boar Fell, High Seat, Mallerstang and the upper reaches of Wensleydale.
We now descend for sixty metres or so to the relatively large tarn that sits in the col between Swarth Fell and Wild Boar Fell. From here, it is a short pull to the summit of Wild Boar Fell itself, standing at 708m. (According to Wainwright the fell gets its name from the wild boar which inhabited the area over 500 years ago). As we descend northwards over Little Fell (559m) and down Greenlaw Rigg we’ll get a glimpse of Pendragon Castle. According to legend, the castle was built by Uther Pendragon, father of King Arthur. However, in reality the castle was built in the 12th century by Ranulph de Meschines, during the reign of King William Rufus. It has the remains of a Norman, with the later addition of a 14th century garderobe turret and some further additions in the 17th century.
On reaching the “Tommy Road” we head down to the River Eden and pick up the “Pennine Journey" footpath which we will follow all the way to Kirkby Stephen and the coach.
12 miles (19.3km) with 1500ft (457m) Total Ascent
Leaving Kirkby Stephen we head north west to Busk and continue by crossing Scandale Beck to Soulby, with its three acre green. We follow the beck south west to Smardale Mill and west to Crosby Garrett and there may be a chance to visit the Grade 1 listed St. Andrews Church with an Anglo Saxon Chancel.
We now pass under the Settle Carlisle railway and continue south passing Bull Flat with views over Smardale Gill and the viaduct to Pillow Mounds and Smardale Bridge. Now north east over Smardale Fell to Smardale Hall and return via Greenriggs and Crogham Castle remains. "Have a nice day".
10½ miles (16.9km) with 1100ft (335m) Total Ascent
The walk leaves Kirkby Stephen by Franks Bridge over the River Eden and proceeds south along the river for a while, through the village of Nateby and on to Wharton Hall, a mid-16th century building. From there the walk continues south to reach Lammerside Castle, an oblong 14th century Pele Tower. The next section crosses Birkett Common before eventually reaching Pendragon Castle, which dates from the 12th century (Norman).
At this point, after 5.25 miles, the walk turns back towards Kirkby Stephen, climbing up the Tommy Road before joining the Settle to Carlisle railway line (the highest and most costly to be built in England). The walk soon crosses this line and leads north to Bullgill where it veers off north east on a bridleway, above Wharton Hall, to re-join the river near Halfpenny House. The rest of the walk follows the river north through Stenkrith Park and back into Kirkby Stephen.
5½ miles (8.8km) with 400ft (122m) Total Ascent
Todays walk starts and finishes in Kirkby Stephen. The walk consists of bridleways, wild meadows and fields, riverside walking and well maintained tracks.
From our drop off we make our way downhill to the River Eden. Crossing Frank’s Bridge we follow the east bank of the river, at this point part of the Coast to Coast walk. Slowly moving south we move slightly away from the river to follow a bridleway which takes us southwest, over the dismantled railway down to the hamlet of Nateby. From here we walk uphill through wild meadows to Lockthwaite. Our route now takes us over pasture land alongside Ladthwaite Beck to Ladthwaite. This is our farthest point. Making our way back we are now on a well maintained track. This part of the walk provides excellent views over the surrounding countryside and Kirkby Stephen. Once past Hartley Quarry we cross the dismantled railway again, before making our way back to Frank's Bridge and Kirkby Stephen.