Walks in Silverdale and Arnside

This guide covers the Silverdale AONB and area, with the north-west’s most beautiful coastal scenery and a naturalist’s paradise. Takes in Arnside, Beetham and Levens Hall, plus the surprising Farlton Fell and Hutton Roof area overlooking the Lancaster Canal. Often dry when the Lakes are wet.

The area covered by this book is compact - north to south from Milnthorpe to Carnforth it is 7 miles; west to east from Arnside Point to Hutton Roof is 8 miles. Within its confines is perhaps the most prolific concentration of high quality woodland path walking in the north of England and undoubtedly the most beautiful coastal scenery in the north-west. Much of the area lies within the Arnside/Silverdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty - almost the whole of the land to the west of the A6 between Warton and Milnthorpe. The equally beautiful limestone hills of Farleton Fell and Hutton Roof, to the east of the M6, were not included in the AONB, in retrospect, a regrettable omission.

The network of paths is well-walked and jealously loved by locals. Anyone who likes a short walk in beautiful scenery would find a visit delightful. Naturalists know the area well, for it is rich in varied flora and fauna, especially at the several nature reserves and the RSPB Reserve at Leighton Moss.
The low wooded hills west of the M6 are easily visible to people travelling past but only hint of their attractions. Travellers have always tended to hurry through since the Lancaster to Kendal turnpike through Burton) was established in 1752. Now six or seven minutes on the M6 and you have passed it!.....

Walking in the area is generally on well marked paths which can be used to make circuits or linked into linear walks. Most of the routes described are short enough to be enjoyed by casual walker or families without any need for specialist equipment or footwear. Ideal fine weather footwear are trainers or jogging shoes, which have a soft comfortable sole, thick enough to walk over stones in comfort. In wet weather muddy patches will be encountered, but boots are hardly necessary, although on Farleton Fell and Hutton Roof the terrain is more rocky and rugged, and here boots are an advantage. Note that in wet conditions, limestone can be trecherously slippery underfoot.

The walks described are short enough to fill an afternoon, or a short day, but long enough to feel that you have accomplished something. Times are based on a medium pace without taking into account any major halts. Even so, the times are generous and fast walkers could easily link two walks in a day...