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About a mile and half from the market town of Kirkby Stephen is Podgill Viaduct, a Grade II listed structure. This walk follows the permissive path along the disused railway line, now owned and managed by the Northern Viaduct Trust.
From the Stenkirth Park car park near Nateby Kirkby Stephen the route leads through the gate and down the path and onto the track. Take a slight detour to see the water cascading over the rocks below the Millennium Bridge. After a heavy rainfall the sight and sounds of the water crashing over the boulders is pretty spectacular.
The route from here is very easy access – a flat track made of compounded aggregate and tarmac – ideal for a manual wheelchair user. About a mile along the track the views begin to open up across attractive valley of Pod Gill down which flows the Ladthwaite Beck.
Here you are walking across the viaduct. The viaduct is built of local limestone and has 11 arches, each of 30 feet span, giving it a total length of 466 feet, and a maximum height of 84 feet.
Whilst we were out on the walk we saw a Red Squirrel and Roe Deer. You can turn around and retrace your steps or you can continue on into the pretty village of Hartley. I would recommend the walk suitable for manual wheelchairs.
FAQ's
Where do I park?
On the south side of Kirkby Stephen on the A685: just after the railway bridge, if travelling north, turn right; and just before the railway bridge, if travelling south, turn left. At the end of this road, Station Road, turn right and the car park is just over the bridge on your right. The nearest post code to Stenkrith Park is CA17 4SZ.
What Map do I need?
OS Map OL19 1:25 000
You can find the route here
What facilities are there?
The Black Bull Pub, Nateby has an accessible toilet. There are also accessible loos in the market square in Kirkby Stephen (RADAR).
The nearest train station is Kirkby Stephen.