A fantastic climax to this Smardale railway walk here with the viaduct. Our path has come from the right here and will take us well beyond the end of the river we see in the valley bottom then back up to the dismantled railway line and back over the viaduct before another mile or two back to our car.

Built in 1861 and designed by Sir Thomas Bouch for the South Durham and Lancashire Union Railway. Built by Mr Wrigg and was wide enough for a double track but never carried more than one single line. It is 90ft (27m) high and has 14 arches of 30ft span and a total length of 553ft (170m). The line was closed in 1962 and stood disused until 1992 when it was turned into a linear walk and bicycle path.
See www.edenviaducts.org.uk/smardale-gill-viaduct

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