Poetry stone
Pendragon Castle
River Ure
Day 15 Kirkby Stephen to Garsdale
12.25 miles, 1,909ft of ascent
This stage down the Eden valley could well be considered one of the highlights of the journey because of its variety. It soon leaves the Coast to Coast Walk route and passes 3 out of 12 poems that are inscribed on stones set around a ‘poetry’ path – like the Eden Benchmarks, another East Cumbria Countryside Project. For over 6 miles it stays close to the river and glorious views unfold as the path moves down the narrowing valley between Wild Boar Fell and Mallerstang Edge. History is also in evidence as the 14th Century manor house of Wharton Hall and the ruins of Lammerside Castle are passed before Pendragon Castle is reached. This, like Brough, was owned and restored by Lady Anne Clifford.
Just over a mile later the path leaves the valley on a steady climb on a good track with, on the skyline ahead, another Eden Benchmark – ‘Water Cut’. The track is known as The High Way and it provides a high level terrace of almost 3 miles before the route drops down to the valley road passing over, as it does, the infant River Ure.
