30th November 2013 - Nine Standards Rigg
Walk Details
Distance walked: 9.6 miles
Total ascent: 1928 ft
OS map used: OL19 - Howgill Fells & Upper Eden Valley
Time taken: 6 hrs
Route description: Kirkby Stephen-Frank's Bridge-Hartley-Fell Road-Hartley Fell-Nine Standards Rigg-Hartley Fell-Fell Road-Stainmore Line-Frank's Bridge-Kirkby Stephen
My first ascent of Nine Standards Rigg and I'll definitely be doing it again. There were great views but a change in the weather meant that I didn't really see them at their best.
After parking in Kirkby Stephen I made my way down to Frank's Bridge to cross the River Eden. I then followed the path to the village of Hartley. There was then a long road walk uphill to reach Hartley Fell. A bridleway continues up the fell at the roads end. A concessionary path then branches off to head for Nine Standards Rigg by Faraday Gill. My return route was pretty much a reverse of the ascent except for the walk along the former Stainmore Line.
Total ascent: 1928 ft
OS map used: OL19 - Howgill Fells & Upper Eden Valley
Time taken: 6 hrs
Route description: Kirkby Stephen-Frank's Bridge-Hartley-Fell Road-Hartley Fell-Nine Standards Rigg-Hartley Fell-Fell Road-Stainmore Line-Frank's Bridge-Kirkby Stephen
My first ascent of Nine Standards Rigg and I'll definitely be doing it again. There were great views but a change in the weather meant that I didn't really see them at their best.
After parking in Kirkby Stephen I made my way down to Frank's Bridge to cross the River Eden. I then followed the path to the village of Hartley. There was then a long road walk uphill to reach Hartley Fell. A bridleway continues up the fell at the roads end. A concessionary path then branches off to head for Nine Standards Rigg by Faraday Gill. My return route was pretty much a reverse of the ascent except for the walk along the former Stainmore Line.
Route map
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The church of St. Stephen's, Kirkby Stephen
The River Eden as I cross Frank's Bridge
and Frank's Bridge from the banks of the Eden
Marker post for AW's Coast to Coast walk
Frosty fields and Wild Boar Fell
On the path to Hartley
In the village of Hartley
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Onto the fell road to continue my ascent
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The view starts to open out across the Eden Valley
Birkett Hill. It looks quite interesting with folded strata visible along its flanks.
Wild Boar Fell and the Howgills
A rash of stones either side of the path provide a convenient place to halt and take in the expanding views. Cross Fell, Little Fell and Mickle Fell of the North Pennines in the distance. Some interesting looking limestone hills just to the north.
The Howgills and the Westmorland limestone plateau
The far eastern fells of the Lake District are visible in the far distance
A landslip in Reigill has revealed the underlying strata
The Nine Standards in view for the first time
The Nine Standards of Nine Standards Rigg..
The view from the standards. Cross Fell and the North Pennines. The weather is starting to change unfortunately. It's clouding over and a bit of mist is starting to form as a breeze picks up.
Distant Lake District fells across the Eden valley
I've made my way to the trig point to take a few shots from there. High Seat, Wild Boar Fell and the Howgills.
The moors above Swaledale to the east
A misty view looking south towards Great Shunner Fell
Back at the Nine Standards to retrace my steps. Looking northeast to the moors around Stainmore.
Completely different weather to head back down in
Dukerdale and Tailbridge Hill
Not far to go now to reach the fell road
To vary my route back a little I decided to have a walk along the trackbed of the former Stainmore Railway line. This is the Merrygill viaduct.
On the former Stainmore line
The Podgill viaduct. The line was originally a single track but a second was added at a later date. A difference in the building material used can be seen on the first arch. I was able to get this shot from a viewing area.
Heading down to the River Eden. I'm pleased to report that while walking through the woodland below I saw a red squirrel. It was the first time that I'd seen one outside the Lake District.
By the River Eden
The River Eden again as I cross back over Frank's Bridge