Walkers are Welcome

In April 2009, Kirkby Stephen became the first town in Cumbria to be awarded Walkers are Welcome status. 

The new, national Walkers are Welcome (WaW) scheme encourages places which have something special to offer walkers to obtain accreditation for the facilities they provide.  Since October 2008, work has been undertaken in Kirkby Stephen to meet the WaW criteria, including obtaining support from local people and the Town Council, surveying local paths and establishing a new rights of way problem reporting system.  Further work will involve encouraging walkers to visit Kirkby Stephen and the beautiful surrounding countryside and promoting walking using public transport.

Kirkby Stephen and District Walkers are Welcome are holding their first AGM on Tuesday 13 November 2012 at 2.00pm in the room above the Visitor Centre.

Kirkby Stephen Walkers are Welcome has its own website, www.walkeden.org, which contains a wealth of information about walking in the Kirkby Stephen/upper Eden area, the North Pennines and the Howgills.  Click here to view Walk Eden's Calendar of Events which includes Guided Walks, Walking Festivals, Talks and Conservation Work.  

Click here to view our page on the national Walkers are Welcome website, and to find out more about this innovative community-led scheme.  

Accommodation providers are encouraged to provide their details to Kirkby Stephen Walkers are Welcome, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , in order that they may receive updates of local information, national and regional tourism initiatives and the quarterly newsletter.  Anyone with an interest in walking is invited to join the steering group.