Seven castles in 42 miles– does it get any better than this? Why, yes… it certainly does. In addition to a diverse range of castle experiences from atmospheric ruins hunching moodily in their mystical landscapes to an option to stay in a 4-star castle hotel, you’ll also find yourself amongst fascinating sectarian and vernacular structures as you simultaneously immerse yourself in the captivating beauty of the Eden Valley. Oh, and you’ll find a couple of majestic standing stones thrown in along the way for good measure.
This route begins with an optional Segment 1 loop walk starting and ending in Nateby, Cumbria. Though if you choose to skip it, you’ll miss the first two castle experiences, including the legends-replete Pendragon Castle ruins.
This immersive walking route is your chance to trace the footsteps of bygone kings and heroes and tread the ground where history was made.
“Let Uther Pendragon do what he can, Eden will run where Eden ran.”
Total distance:
8 Walking Segments / 41.6 miles
Start location:
Nateby, Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria, England, United Kingdom
Finish location:
Penrith, Cumbria, England, United Kingdom
Route direction:
Generally northwest
Standing stones on this route:
The informational materials provided with your mobile route map include details for where you’ll encounter each standing stone site, including in which Walking Segments they’re located. Each standing stone site is marked on your mobile route map with a designated icon shown in the provided map key.
- Segment 6: Goggleby Stone: approx. 10 ft tall principal surviving member of Shap Stone Avenue, a major prehistoric complex
- Segment 8: Mayburgh Henge: Neolithic henge with single standing stone
Castles on this route:
The informational materials provided with your mobile route map include details for where you’ll encounter each castle site, including in which Walking Segments they’re located. Each castle site is marked on your mobile route map with a designated icon shown in the provided map key.
- Segment 1: Pendragon Castle ruins: 12th c. castle which, according to legend, was built by Uther Pendragon, father of King Arthur
- Segment 1: Lammerside Castle: Medieval tower house ruins
- Segment 3: Brough Castle ruins: remaining towering keep dates from about 1200
- Segment 4: Appleby Castle (currently a 4-star hotel and Norman Keep visitor centre)
- Segment 7: Lowther Castle (country house)
- Segment 8: Brougham Castle ruins; built by Robert de Vieuxpont in 1214 on the site of a Roman fort
- Segment 8: Penrith Castle ruins: 14th century castle, later home to Richard, Duke of Gloucester, who became Richard III; full height castle walls remain standing in a public park
Optional excursions shown on this route map:
The location of each optional excursion will be included in the informational materials provided with your mobile route map. Your route map will include color-coded navigation route lines for each excursion that can be followed in the same way as your main route, as described in the included instructional materials. Like other informational elements shown on your mobile route map, the Excursion route lines can be turned on or off to reduce distraction when not needed.
- From Segment 3: Brough Castle ruins: 0.2 mile each way
- From Segment 4: Rutter Force waterfall: 1.8 miles each way
- From Segment 6: Goggleby Stone: 0.2 mile each way
- From Segment 6: Shap Abbey ruins: 0.2 mile each way
- From Segment 8: Brougham Castle ruins: 1.6 miles each way
8 Walking Days + 2 Rest & Integrate Days = 10-day immersive walking journey (not including travel to and from the route location)
What is a Rest & Integrate Day? Find out here.
Suggested itinerary:
An in-depth look into creating your pilgrimage itinerary can be found here.
- Day 0: travel Arrival Buffer Day
- Day 1: walk Segment 1: 6.6 mile loop
- Day 2: walk Segment 2: 6.1 miles
- Day 3: walk Segment 3: 6.0 miles
- Day 4: Rest & Integrate Day
- Day 5: walk Segment 4: 5.0 miles
- Day 6: walk Segment 5: 10.2 miles
- Day 7: walk Segment 6: 4.7 miles
- Day 8: Rest & Integrate Day
- Day 9: walk Segment 7: 6.3 miles
- Day 10: walk Segment 8: 3.5 miles (plus optional Excursion to Brougham Castle ruins, 1.6 miles each way)
If you don’t have time to complete the entire route, choose the Custom Length option below to have your route trimmed to the number of Segments you do have time for. (Remember to include a Rest & Integrate Days for every 3-4 days of walking for a full immersive experience). For example, if you have time for 6 Walking Days and 1 Rest & Integrate Day, you can choose to do Walking Segments 1 – 6, or Walking Segments 3 – 8, or any six consecutive Walking Segments of your choice.
If you prefer to start with Segment 8 in Penrith and finish with Segment 1 in Nateby, choose the Reverse Direction option below.
You also typically have the option to engage the use of ground transportation for help in completing any Walking Segments that might seem to be of a daunting length. Catch a bus or grab a taxi or use a ride-hailing app.
Nearest airports to route (international, regional):
Newcastle International Airport, Newcastle upon Tyne (NCL); approximately 63 miles from trailhead4.5 - 5.5 hours by train and/or bus to trailhead Leeds Bradford Airport, (LBA); approximately 72 miles from trailhead3 - 3.5 hours by train and/or bus to trailhead Manchester Airport, Manchester (MAN); approximately 101 miles from trailhead (longer distance but considered to have good direct transit to Cumbria)3.5 - 5.5 hours by train and/or bus to trailhead
Nearest transit station to start of route:
Kirkby Stephen Railway Station (KSW); Wiseber Road, near Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria, CA17 4LE, 1.5 miles from trailhead 1.5-mile walking route from station to trailhead is shown on your route mapBus route 563, approx. 17 minutes; requires a 0.6-mile walk from the railway station to the bus stop up Wiseber Brow road to Croglin Castle Apartments
Nearest transit station to end of route:
Penrith (North Lakes) Station (PNR); Ullswater Road, Penrith, Cumbria, CA11 7JQ; 0.1 mile from end of routetransit hub for trains, buses, and taxis
Navigation app:
You’ll need a navigation app in order to use your mobile route map on your phone.
I recommend and provide step-by-step instructions for installing and using the highly regarded Caltopo app. It’s available for iOS and Android, in a free version and in a $20 paid upgrade version for offline use.
With the Caltopo app, you’ll be able to track your location on the map, so you’ll be able to view your progress along the route, see how far you have to go, and never worry about getting lost.
Unless you have satellite phone plan that provides universal coverage, I recommend the upgrade to Caltopo’s Mobile plan ($20 for a year of use), which allows you to find your way whether or not you have a signal (or prefer to leave your phone in Airplane Mode). The app does work better while connected, but will get you by when not, and I’ll share tips in your route materials for how to get the best usage experience. That said, it wasn’t that long ago when I was navigating solely via paper maps and trail markers… and I’m here to tell the tale.
Caltopo requirements:
iPhone: iOS 16.0 or later; the app has a file size of 172.5 MB
Android: 5.1 (Lollipop) or higher; the app has a file size of 32.7 MB
The informational materials provided with your mobile route map will walk you step-by-step through adding the navigation app to your phone, setting up your Caltopo account (free or upgraded) for logging into the mobile app, importing your route map, and all of my best tips for setting it up and using it for on-trail navigation.
Here’s where to find the Caltopo app if you want to check it out before receiving your route map’s step-by-step instructional materials:
If you already have a navigation app that you know and love, feel free to contact me after your mobile route map purchase to request a map file to import. Keep in mind that in most, if not all, cases, some of the functionality of the Mystic Path Mobile Route Maps’ interactive icons and the appearance of some of the map elements may not transfer correctly.
I don’t have any affiliation with Caltopo; I’ve simply found it to be the best tool for navigating with Mystic Path Mobile Route Maps that’s available for both iOS and Android.
Unless you've selected personalization options, your mobile route maps will be delivered to your Mystic Path account for access upon purchase, along with all of the necessary instructions and materials for using them.
If you’ve selected personalization options for your mobile route map, you’ll receive an email notice when your personalized route (and its accompanying informational materials) have been delivered to your Mystic Path account.
Alright, let's get the not-so-fun stuff out of the way...
Digital Products Policy key points:
No Refunds on Digital Products once downloaded, except as stated in the Digital Products Policy
Due to the non-tangible and irrevocable nature of digital products, all sales are considered final and non-refundable once the product has been downloaded.
Please reach out with any questions before completing your purchase, or if you need help accessing or using your mobile route maps.
Any refund requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and must be submitted within 14 days of purchase.
Single User License
Each digital product is for a single user license. Sharing credentials or allowing others to use the digital products is prohibited.
Instead, consider purchasing multiple copies of your chosen route for your walking group companions, or grab gift cards below for your favorite fellow wayfarers.
Digital Product Policy
View the full Digital Product & Refunds Policy here.
Make it YOUR journey...
Personalization options for your route map.
Descriptions for each of these Personalization Options can be found back on the main Shop Page, where you have the option to add them there as well…
