Crossing Ol’ Blighty – the Coast to Coast Path, England – Day 7

Date: Monday, 13 July 2026
Day: 7
From: Tebay through Orton     To: Kirkby Stephen
Start Walking: 822am          End Walking: 203pm
Distance (Planned): 20km     Distance (Garmin): 18.6km
Progress: 126.6/306km
Ascent: 388m                     Descent: 458m
Weather: Clear and way cooler than previous days. We had to hang onto our hats – the wind was that strong.
Stayed At: The Old Croft House

General Comments:
• After yet another delicious breakfast, we met our friendly taxi driver, Gordon, for the return trip back to the trail. While this has been a bit of slightly expensive exercise it was definitely worthwhile as it meant avoiding a 5km walk on asphalt to start the day. That’s a win in my book.
• Gordon had dropped us off near the Gamelands Stone Circle. We had missed seeing some stone circles yesterday and we didn’t want to miss out today. Stones (picture around 20 medium-sized, ordinary rocks in a circle) duly acknowledged and walked around, it was time to get walking on the Path.

• No one else was about at this stage. We couldn’t see anyone ahead of us on the trail or behind and that provides its own sense of freedom and space.
• Crossing paddock after paddock, I decided to count the numerous gates we must unlock and relock time after time. The gate count was 32 for the day. Not bad.
• Our serenity was briefly interrupted by two air force jets screaming over the hill we were walking across and it felt like, just above our heads! An impressive sight. Actually, there seemed to be all sorts of aircraft in the sky today and I was wondering if there might have been an air show on or similar?

It just doesn’t get any better than this…

• Thinking we had left the tarns behind in the Lake District, it was nice to see Sunbiggin Tarn sparkling in the morning light. We just skirted close by and then walked off in a different direction.
• The sense of space out here is quite awesome. Just large swathes of waving grass and cloudless blue skies.
• So, when I saw a small white good sitting in the middle of nowhere, it was quite a surprise. What’s a fridge doing way out here? We had seen Honesty boxes and eskys a few days ago and today is was an Honesty fridge! Both novel and practical! No mean feat to get it out here in the first place.

• We eventually had plenty of company on the trail, including a local Bushwalking group. They were definitely on for a chat and interested to find out we had come all the way to the UK to walk the Coast to Coast Path. A nice bunch of people.
• The final highlight of the day was the Smardale Gill Viaduct. It was built in 1861 and is still fully operational today. Things were built to last back then.

Our bushwalking friends wait for us on the bridge.

Top Tips:
• Wind Protection: This area is very exposed and we recommend you bring a jacket or an extra layer of clothing. This is particularly handy when you stop for a break. (We found a literal hole in the ground to sit in to have our lunch out of the wind).
• Sun & Wind Burn Protection: As above, wear plenty of sunscreen. The wind blew all day!

How lucky are we with this weather??