From Grewelthorpe, the route first drops out of the hills and continues toward Masham. The early kilometres stay rolling, passing villages, pastureland and open roads on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales. Beyond Richmond, the day becomes rougher. The town sits above the Swale, with its castle, stone bridge and a clear shift from lower country into higher ground. The route then turns west on smaller roads toward Bowes and Stainmore. This is the main climb of the day: moorland, wind, little shelter and long ramps up to the Pennine watershed. After the high point, the road drops toward Brough and into the Eden Valley. Via Appleby, the land becomes wider and greener before the final kilometres pass through villages and fields into Penrith.
