It’s not often that a summit gets its own name, separate from the fell upon which it stands. Hikes up to Nine Standards Rigg are precisely this though, as the hill you’ll be ascending is actually Hartley Fell. A stone’s throw outside the Yorkshire Dales National Park border, walking up this fell to the extraordinary summit is a popular objective.

This Highlight is in a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

North Pennines National Landscape

Save

Location: Winton, Eden, Cumbria, North West England, England, United Kingdom

Save

See nearby routes

Take Me There

Tips

Trekknik (Niklas)

May 26, 2016

Hiking

Nobody knows the sense of Nine standards ... But they are iconic!

Nobody knows the meaning or benefit of the Nine standards. They are still cult!

Translated by

•

Dan Hobson

November 14, 2018

Hiking

At a height of 2,172 feet (662 m), the curious Nine Standards boast superb views over the town of Kirkby Stephen and further afield. The origin of the cairns is a mystery. According to legendary fell walker and hiker Alfred Wainwright, whose Coast-to-Coast route crosses the fell, the Nine Standards are marked on 18th century maps. Some believe they were constructed by the Romans to look like troops from a distance.

As the crow flies

August 24, 2021

Hiking

We tried the ‘easy hike’ highlighted here on Kamoot. I can’t stress enough how inaccurate this hike is, and misleading. It is not an ‘easy hike’, because if you follow the trail provided you’ll spend 50% of your time mucking through marsh land. The area is badly sign posted; we saw one for the coast to coast, and nothing more. This ‘easy’ hike is for intermediates with some experience, definitely not children. We would never have gone had we known what to expect! Having said that, if you can safely climb another way, it is worth it for the view.

Nearby routes

Best routes near Nine Standards

4.6

(5)

hikers

#1.

Nine Standards Rigg and Millstones Pillar loop from Tailbridge Neck — Yorkshire Dales National Park

10.5km

02:58

220m

The Nine Standards Rigg and Millstones Pillar loop offers a moderate hike through the wild English countryside of the Yorkshire Dales. You will experience varied terrain, from accessible paths to…

Navigate with device

Send to Phone

Save

Moderate

4.3

(13)

119

hikers

#2.

Dog Stone – Nine Standards loop from Kirkby Stephen

15.1km

04:32

480m

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

Navigate with device

Send to Phone

Save

Moderate

4.5

(8)

hikers

#3.

Nine Standards – Nine Standards Rigg Trig Point loop from Hollow Mill Cross

7.72km

02:13

180m

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

Navigate with device

Send to Phone

Save

Moderate

Details

Informations

Elevation 650 m

Good to know

Family Friendly

yes

Wheelchair access

Dog Friendly

yes

Weather

Monday 4 May

10°C

1°C

-- %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: -- km/h

Most visited during

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

See nearby routes

Take Me There

Location: Winton, Eden, Cumbria, North West England, England, United Kingdom

Other Popular Places to Check Out

Stainmore Railway Path and Viaduct

Lamps Moss Climb

Pendragon Castle Ruins

View of Whitsundale Beck Gorge from How Edge Scar

East Gill Force

Waterfall on the River Swale

Kisdon Force Waterfall

Waterfall in North Pennines National Landscape

Hawes Village, Waterfall and Heritage Railway

Lady's Pillar on Hugh Seat

Waitby Intake Stone Archway

Wild Boar Fell Summit Shelter

Nine Standards

#1.

Nine Standards Rigg and Millstones Pillar loop from Tailbridge Neck — Yorkshire Dales National Park

#2.

Dog Stone – Nine Standards loop from Kirkby Stephen

#3.

Nine Standards – Nine Standards Rigg Trig Point loop from Hollow Mill Cross

Other Popular Places to Check Out

Sign up or log in to keep exploring this route

We value your privacy ⛰️

We value your privacy ⛰️