Section 2: Milburn to Kirkby Stephen

Section 2: Milburn to Kirkby Stephen “Following the Eden” (23 miles, taking an estimated 2 to 3 days)

Route Progress:

• Work on this section has mainly involved repairs and improvements to stiles and gates, clearance work and new signposts, but the route is open.

After Milburn the route continues along the lower slopes of the Pennines through the sandstone villages of Knock and Dufton on the Pennine Journey. The path is still high enough to offer views across the Eden valley as it passes through pasture fields.

Dufton offers a pub, accommodation and facilities and also has a historic church to visit. The route passes through Flakebridge Woods, which are adorned with Bluebells in springtime, on the way to Appleby.

Appleby offers a range of accommodation, places to eat and a Tourist Information Centre. It also has a station on the famous Settle to Carlisle railway line, which is serviced by Northern Trains.

Note: the walk from Appleby to Kirkby Stephen is 25km and but this section of the way could be split into two: Appleby to Warcop 10km and Warcop to Kirkby Stephen 15km.

The Westmorland and Furness way continues to follow the Pennine Journey from Appleby to Kirkby Stephen, leaving Appleby and following the River Eden to Great Ormside, Warcop, Great Musgrave and then Swindale Beck to Church Brough.

This section of the walk encompasses lovely riverside paths, which offer a good chance of seeing wildlife and birds. At Church Brough the path turns south via the villages of Brough Sowerby, Kaber and Winton to rejoin the River Eden entering into the historic town of Kirkby Stephen.

Kirkby Stephen prides itself on being a ‘walkers welcome’ town. With a wide range of facilities and accommodation on offer, the town is a perfect place to relax after a long day walking. The upper Eden information Centre offers a wealth of information on the local area and sells a range of useful maps.

An Alternative Start Point

For those who do not want to attempt the high-level Pennine section or who cannot easily get to Alston can start instead in Penrith and use Lady Anne’s Way through the Eden Valley to Appleby instead. This is an attractive 32km route through Long Marton, Kirkby Thore and Brougham including sections along both the River Eden and the River Eamont which could be tackled in 1 or 2 days.