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 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 in the area are invited to complete an online questionnaire providing information about their facilities for walkers: www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=sR4QPzcb_2bFRvoTFpS5QmBg_3d_3d.  Newsletters will also be produced regularly to update service providers with regard to developments in the promotion of the area as a walking destination.