Nine Standards Rigg

• An intriguing and mysterious name
• Great views over the Eden valley
• Visit pleasant Kirkby Stephen

Nine Standards Rigg is popular for only 2 reasons. It is on (actually just off) the official line of the Coast to Coast and it has a series of large, imposing cairns lined up on the summit plateau. Quite where these came from is a mystery, the less interesting theory is that they marked a boundary line between Eden and Swaledale; a more interesting story is that the Romans or later the English built them to scare off the Scots, whilst my favourite is Wainwright’s theory that the locals were just bored and it seemed like a good idea at the time! They are certainly dramatic and coming on the main track from Kirkby Stephen I was intrigued by two smaller stones which seemed to provide a doorway to the main stones. I had missed these on my first visit when I cut across from the B6270 – certainly a less satisfactory ascent in all ways. Another positive about Nine Standards Rigg is the excellent view finder on the summit which points to the main heights near and far away which is coupled with some very good views of the Eden Valley below. Without these oddities Nine Standards Rigg would be rather a tedious high plateau of wet bogland that can typify much of the higher land to the north of the Dales, with them though it is worth the climb.

Recommend: There are a lot of tired and hacked off Coast to Coasters at this point, do not ask if they are enjoying Nine Standards!!

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© Crown copyright 2010 Ordnance Survey. Image produced from the Ordnance Survey Get-a-map service. Image reproduced with kind permission of Ordnance Survey and Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland.

OS Map:	O/S 1.25,000. OL19 Howgill Fells & the Upper Eden Valley
Start Point:	Either 775085 in the town centre or it is possible to drive to the road end through Hartley where there is limited parking at 799074, thereby saving a good 4 miles road walking.
Terrain:	Wet, wet, wet. This is a notoriously wet and boggy hill and subject to some erosion on the paths. From the summit I have suggested an alternative coming off just to the west of south. Finger signs then direct you back onto the coast to coast.
Eating & Drinking:	Kirkby Stephen is a market town with a good variety of eating and drinking places.
Similar Walks Nearby:	Killing Grounds of the Wild Boar The Ancient Castles of Mallerstang The Northern Howgills
Places to Stay:	The Cottage, Kirkby Stephen