C2C Stage 7: Kirkby Stephen to Keld

This is the 8th day ... having completed 6 days of walking today we come to the half way point.

Kirkby Stephen (180m) to Keld (350m)
Distance 13 miles/21km - Strenuous - Height Gain 515m/1690ft - 7 hours

This stage is something of a red-letter day. Not only does it cross the Pennines - the so-called backbone of the British Isles on whose flanks the Industrial Revolution gathered pace some 200 years ago - but in doing so it crosses the watershed on the Coast to Coast. From the summit of Nine Standards Rigg all rivers, including the infant headwaters of the Swale, which will be tracked over the next couple of stages, flow eastwards to drain into the North Sea.

We will pass from the county of Cumbria into Yorkshire, too.

Yet in spite of these significant landmarks, the one thing that most walkers remember about the transit of the Pennines is the peat bogs they have to negotiate along the way. No matter what the weather, it is a good idea to don gaiters.

We will be departing from Kirkby Stephen at 9:00am and should get to Keld around 4pm.

Setting out from mile 80 to mile 95 (yes, there does seem to be a bit of a difference in the mile covered and the starting and finishing point!):

Across Franks Bridge and head for the lane which becomes a broad path onto the Pennine Moors and the summit of Nine Standards Rigg (662m). Depending on the time of year there are three routes over and around Nine Standards; green (avoiding the summit) for winter and spring, red for early summer, and blue for late summer and autumn. All routes cross peat, which is notoriously boggy in wet weather, before descending to the River Swale and the road in to Keld.

No matter which route is chosen it seems that most walkers cannot resist stopping at Ravenseat Farm for a sit down and tea and scones before continuing on to Keld.


Nine Standards marks the point at which you cross from Cumbria into North Yorkshire, it is the start of the Yorkshire Dales, and a watershed for rivers flowing west or east. Nine Standards are a group of ancient legendary cairns that have stood the test of time. 

Keld is half way.

There is a farm cafe in Keld and a Country Inn serving evening meals.