slabs, one of which, The Main Wall, attracts climbers from afar. Trowbarrow is now a Nature Reserve where climbing and conservation can co-exist harmoniously.
Another interesting cliff lies on the coast at Jack Scout Cove, known locally as Cow’s Mouth. Here is the nearest thing Lancashire possesses to a genuine sea cliff, indeed at high tide water washes the base of the crags and has resulted in some rock falls. Other short training crags are at Woodwell and Fairy Steps.
Farleton Crag is a steep band of cliffs hidden amongst the trees and barely visible from the M6 although the upper crag’s steep nose can be clearly seen. Hutton Roof Crags offer attractive little climbs especially on The Rakes, an intriguingly complex area. This is an ideal spot for experienced climbers to take novices.
Climbers enjoy The Rakes at Hutton Roof Crags
The climbs are documented in Lancashire Rock, published by the BMC. The party which makes the first ascent has the dubious honour of naming the climb, and the climbs thus named make fascinating reading, from the mundane ‘Original Route’ or descriptive ‘White Fright’ (very loose!) to the exotic ‘Essence of Giraffe’ (you need to stick your neck out to lead this one). Other interesting names are ‘Limestone Rain’, ‘Plastic Iceberg’, ‘The Onedin Line’ (a traverse at Jack Scout Cove) and ‘The Shriek of Baghdad’. They’re inventive, climbers!
Getting there
If approaching by car from the south leave the M6 at junction 35. This joins the A6 at a roundabout and according to your start point turn left to Carnforth or right towards Milnthorpe. From the traffic lights in Carnforth take the Warton road whence a choice of lanes leads to Silverdale. Warton can be reached more directly from the A6 heading towards Milnthorpe. Another useful approach from the northbound A6 is via Yealand Redmayne, whence a right turn leads past Leighton Moss to Silverdale or Arnside. From Milnthorpe a busy but very scenic road leads along the coast past Sandside to Arnside.
The hills east of the motorway are easily accessible from either Junction 35 or 36.
Public transport
The Furness railway (Lancaster to Barrow) runs through the area with stations at Carnforth, Silverdale and Arnside, the latter two being unmanned. There are several trains daily but it is wise to check the timetables before setting out. Many of the walks are easily accessible from these stations, and the car visitor could plan a linear route to return by train. The Silverdale Shuttle Service 33 bus connects Silverdale station to the village. The Carnforth Connect Line 1 between Carnforth and Milnthorpe links the villages of Warton, the Yealands, Hale and Beetham and a Stagecoach service runs from Kendal to Arnside. More information about transport in the area is available from Carnforth Connect on 01524 734311.
For the Hutton Roof and Farleton area a frequent bus service links Lancaster to Burton and Holme.
Using this guide
The routes described in this guide lie largely within the Arnside and Silverdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty which encompasses almost the whole of the land to the west of the A6 between Warton and Milnthorpe. To the east of the M6, and outside the AONB, are the equally beautiful limestone hills of Farleton Fell and Knott, Holme Park Fell and Hutton Roof Crags.
Most of the walks are on well signed, well trodden paths suitable for all the family. Footwear should have a sole with a good grip and be substantial enough to withstand rough terrain. On Hutton Roof Crags the terrain is especially rocky and rugged, and here boots are an advantage. Note that in wet conditions limestone can be treacherously slippery underfoot and care must be taken on the limestone pavements with their numerous crevices. The woodland paths have many tree roots and sections of rough stony terrain. Scrambling along the rocky shore has become more difficult since the demise of the salt-marsh and care needs to taken to heed the incoming tide. There are safe high-tide options.
Glistening channels of Morecambe Bay
The walks are short, mostly between three and eight miles. Although they may occupy only an afternoon or short day, they can be easily linked into longer walks, and all the routes here are of sufficient length to feel that you have accomplished something. The walks are packed with interest and inevitably take longer than their length implies. The network of paths enables walks to be shortened or lengthened at will.
Times are based on a moderate pace without taking into account any major halts. Fast walkers could easily link two walks in a day. Remember that a fast walker sees little apart from the path at his or her feet, while the connoisseur always takes an hour or two longer. It would be a pity to visit an area which is so rich in plant, bird and animal life and not be aware of it. The network of paths is well walked and jealously loved by locals. The walks are on rights of way or permissive paths, or over Open Access land.
Maps
The most useful map of the area is the Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 Outdoor Leisure sheet 7, The English Lakes South Eastern Area, which covers all the area described in this book. The 1:50,000 Landranger sheet 97 Kendal to Morecambe could also be used. It should be possible easily to follow the walks from the sketch maps in this book, which include the important features for walkers. The sketch maps also show possibilities for extending or shortening the walks.
SILVERDALE AND ARNSIDE AREA
Between Silverdale and Cow’s Mouth low limestone seas cliffs border the rocky shore
INTRODUCTION
Arnside Knott seen from the edge of the wood on Walk 6
This is the heart of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with a rich diversity of limestone landscape, flora and fauna. The walks offer all the attractions of coast, woodland, pasture and hill that make the area so special, and will enable visitors to develop a real appreciation of the AONB.
The area bounded by the villages of Warton to the south, the Yealands to the east, Milnthorpe to the north and Arnside and Silverdale on the coast to the west contains blocks of low wooded hills separated by flat basins. One of these basins is home to the Leighton Moss RSPB Reserve, and the nearby Hawes Water Moss is also a haven for wildlife. Arnside Moss and Silverdale Moss have been reclaimed as pasture, and Hale Moss, on the eastern edge of the area, is a mix of woodlands and marsh.
Warton Crag is the prominent hill clearly seen from the M6 to the west, and the low northwards undulation of Cringlebarrow provides shelter for the Yealands. Hale Fell, Whin Scar and Haverbrack Fell form a woodland cloak above Beetham and Arnside Knott rises sufficiently to form a hill recognisable from afar. Silverdale lies within a shallow bay, defined to the north by Heathwaite, which extends from Arnside Knott to the edge of the bay, and to the south by the promontory of Heald Brow. Slightly inland lies the well-wooded Middlebarrow, its woodlands extending to the limestone pavement of Gait Barrows.
Stone slit stiles are an attractive feature encountered on all the walks in the area. They comprise two upstanding limiestone stones in the wall with a narrow gap to allow passage. Often the base is so narrow that a dog needs help to pass through. More recently, older wooden stiles have been replaced by tasteful wicket gates.
The abundant limekilns in the area, many of which were neglected,
