Appkir one

Slow Way not verified yet. Verify Appkir here.

21/3/24. I set out to walk AppKir One - from Appleby to Kirkby Stephen - as described on the Slow Ways route map. Critically this differs in one respect from the route as walked and described in Stephen Walker’s review – it doesn’t follow the “A Pennine Journey” route from Appleby to Great Ormside, instead following a RoW roughly parallel and north east of the river over pastures, gradually dropping to meet the river opposite Ormside Hall. The route appears to cross the river here, but there is no crossing I could see (pic 1). There may be stepping stones at much lover water levels, or there may have been a bridge at some time. There are footpath signs on both sides (pic 2), some suggestion of a possible structure, and a solitary rock breaking the surface in the river’s deep and fast flowing mid-stream. Either it is always impassable or only passable in low water conditions – I shall try to find and pass on some local knowledge. There are no reasonable alternative ways of regaining the route. I had no choice but to turn back to Appleby.
I suggest the route described by Stephen Walker as the official Slow Way to use. I would upload this but don't have the means of producing a GPX file.
Certainly Slow Ways AppKir One, at least for some of the year, is not a viable route, because of this river crossing.
26/3/24 Update
A Great Ormside resident tells me there used to a ford at this crossing point, but no longer. She says you might, in high summer and after a dry spell, just be able to paddle across.

I walked this route last week, starting at Kirkby Stephen. The 1:25000 map is an essential companion because the waymarking on the ground is not always obvious. There are one or two navigational decisions to be made.

It begins on a quiet road - I noted some heavy traffic - farm lorries, tractors to watch out for, but no particular hazards. In general the road is not busy. After a mile and half to route leaves the road to follow an enclosed lane into Soulby. The line of the Right of Way is overgrown but another leg starting at ///scorching.organ.blip ( NY 75369 10470) is used by farm traffic meeting the RoW after a few metres. As we approach Soulby the RoW crosses Scandale Beck on stepping stones. These were well under water on the day I walked; however just south of the ford/stones there is a farm track on the left parallel with the river. We leave Soulby (no facilities !) on the road heading north past the former chapel and veer off the road to the north at the first bend, towards Sykeside farm. This section of footpath heading towards Little Musgrave was very wet and muddy on the day I walked. After crossing the lane west of Little Musgrave the path continues across [wet, muddy] fields to Ploughlands. We skirt the buildings on a well-marked path and soon join an enclosed bridleway on the slopes of Ploughlands Hill eventually descending to the riverside. This is the route of 'a Pennine Journey', written up by A Wainwright, which we will follow to Appleby. I didn't see any dedicated waymarks on the ground but it is is shown as a LDP on recent 1:25000 maps.

After passing the end of Warcop Old Bridge the route continues on a surface lane alongside the river. At NY 73405 15494 the RoW leaves the obvious track and follows the hedge line. Beware !. At Blacksyke Bridge the route takes a right/left chicane to approach the farm, and then a waymarked lane climbs parallel with the river around Trickle Banks wood. A muddy narrow lane leads to Little Ormside. After Ormside Lodge I continued on the minor road and avoided the very muddy RoW. Both lead to the bridge under the railway at NY 68922 17484. The next half mile section was very wet and treacherously steep and muddy. Great care is needed. It doesn't help that the RoW is not obvious as it skirts the woodland gulleys crossing and recrossing Jeremy Gill. Once the path descends to the riverside it is easier going, but the deep mud and piles of debris are evidence that during or just after heavy rain this path may be impassable. After the threading through the riverside meadows the route joins a lane and climbs to join the road. It heads on the pavement alongside the B6260around the castle and shortly afterwards to enter Appleby. Plenty of refreshments here.

I enjoyed the walk. The views were rewarding, but the conditions underfoot on the day I walked were a little extreme.

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