Walking in Cumbria's Eden Valley

Book excerpt: Guidebook to 30 of the best walks in Cumbria's Eden Valley. The graded routes, which range from 3 to 15 miles, explore the region's diverse landscapes and offer dramatic views, either of the Pennines, the Lake District or the Scottish hills. The walks, which work well from bases such as Kirkby Steven, Dufton and Appleby, are predominantly circular. Some of the linear routes link with the Settle-Carlisle railway. Map extracts from the 1:50K OS Landranger series accompany route description, and the handy route summary table makes it easy for walkers to compare routes. Invaluable information on transport and accommodation is included, as are notes on the region's geology, wildlife and history. Situated next to the iconic Lake District, the Eden Valley is often overlooked as a walking destination. This works in its favour - it is as quiet as it is scenic - making it the perfect destination for those looking to escape the crowds. The featured routes are designed to give the walker a taste of everything the area has to offer. From peaceful woodland strolls to serious moorland hikes, and from explorations of the limestone uplands to walks on the Solway marshes, they visit just about every nook and cranny in the valley.