Kirkby Stephen is in the heart of spectacular countryside with miles of footpaths and bridleways and thousands of acres of open access land.

There are recognised trails and walks of various lengths enabling hikers to explore the landscape, villages, culture and history of the area. Wainwright's famous Coast-to-Coast route crosses the surrounding fells and passes through Kirkby Stephen and Hartley.  Classic fell walks such as Nine Standards Rigg, Wild Boar Fell, High Cup Nick and routes in the Howgills are on the doorstep. Much of the surrounding upland is open access land, giving walkers the freedom to roam.  

There is a huge variety of lower level walks through valleys, farmland and woods, along rivers, by waterfalls, through limestone pavements and on disused railway lines.  

The Northern Viaducts Round follows over a mile of the former Stainmore Railway crossing the Merrygill and Podgill Viaducts and is accessible to wheelchairs and buggies. The line coincides in part with another walking route, the Poetry Path, along which there are twelve large stones inscribed with poems reflecting a year in the life of a hill farmer. Another section of the former Stainmore railway line can also be walked at Smardale Gill, about three miles from Kirkby Stephen. More on the Northern Viaduct Trust website.