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How to Walk to Stenkrith Park from Franks Bridge or Nateby

Directions to be used alongside a map

SHORT: From the car park at Millennium Bridge

1. Beginning from the car park at Stenkrith Bridge, head down the ramp out of the car park. The start of the ramp is indicated by a large information board. Follow the ramp downwards as it heads under the Viaduct and along the old railway line. The path here is wide and well surfaced and can be accessible by pushchair (although the entirety of the walk is not pushchair friendly)

2. Continue straight on with the River Eden on your left, here you will see a large stick den (pictured) and a few of the pieces of poetry too.

3. After around a third of a km, you will see a bridge over the old railway line. There is a path heading up the right hand side, through a gate at the top. On the other side of the gate you will see a waymarker for the Poetry Path. Turn left and head over the bridge.

4. After the bridge, the path turns into a wide walled track. Continue along there and follow it past more poetry carvings, until you are faced with a fork in the path. Here, there is a signpost pointing in the direction of Hartley and Nateby. You will be taking the left fork (not in the direction of either Hartley OR Nateby) but going through a wooden gate.

5. The path continues until it bends round to the left and crosses a footbridge over the Rive Eden. Cross the bridge and immediately turn left afterwards, continuing along the edge of the river. This will be on your left.

6. Continue to follow the path along the side of the river until you reach the viaduct again. Here, head up the steep bank, heading firstly right, then turn left to head over the Millennium footbridge that spans the river, providing you with a great view of the Devils Grinding Mill, which is even better when it’s been raining!

7. Then turn right and head back up the ramp to the car park.

Most recently walked May 2026.

LONGER ROUTE: From the Centre of Kirkby Stephen

1. Wherever you manage to park, make your way to the Parish Church of Kirkby Stephen. Here, head into the church. There is a small museum area, where you’ll find the Loki Stone (more about that below) and the tusk of the last wild boar, apparently killed on Wild Boar Fell nearby in Mallerstang. There’s some fascinating history here, so make sure to check it out and make a donation to the church. This is the start point of the walk.

2. From the church, head out of the Eastern gate to the lefthand side of the churchyard. You will head out onto Vicarage Lane. Here, turn right. You’ll see a small parking area ahead. Turn left and head downhill to Frank’s Bridge. On your left, you’ll see some steps and a blue plaque telling you about the fire at the candle factory that happened here. There’s also a handy signpost for Frank’s Bridge. Head down the steps and keep straight on. The footbridge is ahead.

3. This bridge is pretty cool. It’s an old coffin route and it’s named after a local brewer, but did you know… it’s also haunted? More about that below too! For the kids? They’ll love a spot to throw some stones into the water!

4. From the bridge, continue straight on along the riverside path. The path then splits into two. The straight on route is the Coast to Coast path. The right hand fork takes you in the direction of Nateby. You need to take the right hand route. It heads through a kissing gate and into a field. Head straight across the field and to a wooden gate at the far side.

5. Head through the gate, across a wooden footbridge over the beck and then up the bank on the far side, bearing right.

6. Continue to follow the path until you reach a crossroads of footpaths. A crosspaths as it were! The signpost here shows Hartley (the direction that you’ve come from) Kirkby Stephen and Nateby (straight on). Take the straight on route towards Nateby.

7. The path is easy to follow and very clear. Continue straight on, passing over a little stream until you reach the crossing over the old railway line (no longer a railway line, this is now an old railway bridge over another footpath!) You’ll find a couple of the poetry stones along the way here.

8. Shortly after the bridge, there is a gate to your right and a poetry trail sign, turn right and head down the path. It descends to what is the old railway line, but is now a surfaced walking route. Take a look back and you’ll see the old railway bridge you crossed, with that at your back, continue straight on, along the old railway line. You’ll soon spot more poetry rocks and a stick den!

9. After a short distance, you’ll spot the Millennium Bridge and the Viaduct to your right The footbridge takes you over the Devil’s Mustard Pot. You’ll get an excellent view from above here! Turn right over the footbridge, then you need to turn right again (before the path heads up to the road.) It bends back towards the River Eden, and heads downhill.

10. There is an opportunity to get down to the water here to get another view point of the gorge and bridge from below, but be VERY careful with kids. When the water levels are high, stay clear. When they are low (as pictured above) then it’s possible to get to the water’s edge, but there are dangerous currents and deep water, due to the cave system in the area.

11. From here, follow the very clear footpath as it continues to follow the riverside (which is now on your right).

12. You will soon reach a fork in the path. The right hand side heads through a waymarked wooden gate, keeping alongside the riverside. The path on your left is going through a metal gate, heading towards a hawthorn bush and going uphill. Take the left fork.

13. Follow this uphill, to another gate and then head through this. Head left onto the stone track. Follow this to the road, turn right and head back into Kirkby Stephen!

Last walked May 2026.