THIS walk from Kirkby Stephen samples part of the coast-to-coast path to visit the breezy Smardale Fell, writes JOHN EDMONDSON. Enjoy great views of distant fells and of railways routes, walk along the delightful Smardale gill and return via a pastoral route through the hamlet of Waitby. For the less energetic, the walk can easily be shortened by 2.5 miles.

Start from the free car park in Kirkby Stephen (grid reference NY 773 088, postcode CA17 4HA).

Information:

Distance: 9 miles with 1,100 feet of ascent

Time: 4 hours

Terrain: grassy footpaths and quiet roads

Map: OS Explorer OL19

Route

1 Leave the car park by the path signed Town Centre and after the auction mart turn right on to Faraday Road which parallels Market Street. Where Westgarth Avenue bends to the right keep straight ahead onto Croglam Lane to walk past garages and a playground. Follow the path signed Coast to Coast Greenriggs keeping straight on at a junction to go along a track. Continue along a concrete track through Greenriggs Farm turning left through a dismantled railway bridge. Go through the wide gate ahead, past a barn in the middle of the field then over a gated stile in the left corner. Walk up the valley, through a fence gate and up to a wall stile in the left corner. Cross a field and go under the railway bridge and on to a wall stile near the top left corner of the next field. Turn left on to the road, right at the junction (signed Smardale) then left at the next corner onto the bridleway signed Coast to Coast Brownber. Ascend to the top of Smardale Fell by following the line of the wall on the right.

2 For the shorter walk descend Smardale Fell keeping to the wall on the right, going through a gate and down beside a wood to join a lane past Smardale Hall (with its round turrets) on the left. Turn right on to the road to Waitby and continue as for the longer route. For the longer route keep straight on beyond the wall and follow the path descending to the left of a pair of walls. The path becomes a stony track that descends to Smardale packhorse bridge. Before reaching the bridge turn right on to a permitted path signed Smardale Viaduct. The path offers splendid views of the valley and meets Smardalegill Nature Reserve at the end of the impressive viaduct. At the end of the railway path turn right and follow the road to Waitby.

3 Go straight ahead to pass through the hamlet and turn right at Prospect House, down an overgrown footpath and across a stone bridge. At the road turn left. The road crosses a disused railway that is now Waitby Greenriggs Nature Reserve. After a second railway bridge descend to where the road bends left then turn right on to a footpath by a stone barn and through a squeeze stile that is hidden behind a beech tree. Head towards the white house and turn right after a gate. Cross three flat bridges then join a grassy uphill fenced track on the right. At the top, go through the gate on the right then continue down the left side of the field. Keep to the left of school playing fields and at the road turn right to return to the car park on the right.

NB: Restrictions on space mean that this article provides a general summary of the route. It is advisable for anyone who plans to follow the walk to take a copy of the relevant Ordnance Survey map.