Guide to walks in Silverdale and Arnside - northwest England, UK
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1. South along the shore from Silverdale, return over Heald Brow and Woodwell
3 ½ miles
2-2 ½ hours (rough, rocky, muddy and slippery in parts. It is imperative to consult the tide tables, available in the village, before attempting this walk)
A delightful circuit, one of the best in the area. It must be done on a receding tide as the passage along the foot of the cliffs is covered at high tide. Note that many of the higher tides come over the salt marsh.
Since erosion of the sea level turf, this walk has become more difficult and involves a scramble onto a narrow cliff top path. Suitable footwear is essential. Note that there is now no public access inland up the dell at Cow’s Mouth.
(A safe but inferior High Tide Alternative Route can be made by walking towards the villages along Shore Road. A signed footpath cuts the corner right to Lindeth Road which lead to a junction at Wolfhouse Gallery. Keep straight on along the narrow land, past Lindeth Tower and soon there is access on the right to Jack Scout, by the restored limekiln. Bear slightly right on a path which heads around a rise towards the shore. Keep above the fence and you will soon see the Giant’s Seat on the left, where you meet the Low Tide Route.)
Start: The Low Tide Route begins at the shore car park at the end of Shore Road.
Walk south along the turf at the foot of a low line of gorse-topped crags. Keep close to the cliffs to avoid the numerous small channels on the marsh.
You may see shelduck feeding on the sands, although without binoculars it is difficult to see the distinctive tan flash on their breasts. Views across the bay are wide - from the clustered tiered houses of Grange on the right, past the low wooded hump of Humphrey Head to the distant chimneys of Barrow. On the left side of the bay are the squat towers of Heysham Power Station. Dominating everything is the expanse of glistening sand and water channels of the bay.
When the grass ends scramble along the stony shore past Know End Point and several small coves. Don’t be tempted to gain the cliff top too soon as there is merely a tiny track which is crumbly and dangerous. At an indented cove you can easily gain the cliff top at the back of a projecting rock by a sloping gangway. The path runs along the top of crags and needs care. Cross over a headland into the deeper inlet of Cow’s Mouth.....
