Connect Carnforth with Slow Ways
We’re creating a network of walking routes that connect all of Britain’s towns, cities and national parks
more walks and reviews are needed to fully connect Carnforth to the verified network. Can you give a hike and help?
Give a hike!Carnforth
Lancashire
Slow Ways linking Carnforth and Arnside, High Bentham, Kirkby Lonsdale, Lancaster, Morecambe
England / Lancashire / Carnforth
Carnforth’s five Slow Ways are 70% checked
Help connect Carnforth
Many Slow Ways have several route options. Some will be better than others, or good for different reasons.
Our goal is for each Slow Way to have at least one route that is verified and surveyed. To be verified – and get its snail badge – a route needs at least three positive reviews.
Give a hike and help get a for every one of Carnforth’s Slow Ways.
Walk to Carnforth from further afield
Slow Way | Route | To do | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Arnside—Carnforth
|
Arncar one |
|
|
4 X |
|
Verify me | Distance 15km/9mi | Ascent 333m | Descent 340m | |
Arnside—Carnforth
|
Arncar two |
|
3 X |
|
Enjoy me | Distance 11km/7mi | Ascent 190m | Descent 184m | ||
Arnside—Carnforth
|
Arncar three |
|
4 X |
|
Review me | Distance 15km/9mi | Ascent - | Descent - | ||
Carnforth—High Bentham
|
Carhig one |
|
U U |
|
Pioneer me | Distance 26km/16mi | Ascent 478m | Descent 390m | ||
Carnforth—High Bentham
|
Carhig two |
|
U U |
|
Review me | Distance 23km/14mi | Ascent - | Descent - | ||
Carnforth—Kirkby Lonsdale
|
Carkir one |
|
|
U U |
|
Double check | Distance 18km/11mi | Ascent 236m | Descent 188m | |
Carnforth—Kirkby Lonsdale
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Carkir three |
|
|
U U |
|
Double check | Distance 18km/11mi | Ascent 277m | Descent 227m | |
Carnforth—Kirkby Lonsdale
|
Carkir five |
|
3 X |
|
Review me | Distance 18km/11mi | Ascent - | Descent - | ||
Lancaster—Carnforth
|
Lancar one |
|
|
3 X |
|
Review me | Distance 12km/7mi | Ascent 106m | Descent 111m | |
Lancaster—Carnforth
|
Lancar two |
|
3 X |
|
Enjoy me | Distance 12km/7mi | Ascent 202m | Descent 206m | ||
Lancaster—Carnforth
|
Lancar three |
|
2 X |
|
Review me | Distance 12km/8mi | Ascent 138m | Descent 142m | ||
Lancaster—Carnforth
|
Lancar four |
|
2 X |
|
Enjoy me | Distance 14km/9mi | Ascent 133m | Descent 137m | ||
Lancaster—Carnforth
|
Lancar five |
|
3 X |
|
Enjoy me | Distance 11km/7mi | Ascent 192m | Descent 196m | ||
Morecambe—Carnforth
|
Morcar one |
|
|
4 X |
|
Review me | Distance 12km/7mi | Ascent 87m | Descent 81m | |
Morecambe—Carnforth
|
Morcar two |
|
|
4 X |
|
Review me | Distance 11km/7mi | Ascent 195m | Descent 188m | |
Morecambe—Carnforth
|
Morcar three |
|
3 X |
|
Verify me | Distance 11km/7mi | Ascent 155m | Descent 148m | ||
Morecambe—Carnforth
|
Morcar four |
|
3 X |
|
Review me | Distance 10km/6mi | Ascent - | Descent - |
Fancy stretching your legs a bit more?
If you’ve polished off all of the routes between Carnforth and its neighbours, how about walking its whole web?
This includes the great ring of routes that join its neighbours to each other!
Collective progress
74% of Carnforth’s five route options are drawn, reviewed, surveyed and/or verified
17/17
16/17
13/17
4/17
6 people have contributed to Carnforth’s Slow Ways
1 people have pledged to walk and review a route
18 people have surveyed a route in Carnforth
223km out of 249km have been walked and reviewed
406km of reviews have been shared in Carnforth
Latest Updates
There is some walking along busy pavement at the start and the finish (though if you don't start and finish at the train stations this could be less)....
Lorraine Thorn
Really lovely range of landscapes including the RSPB wetlands reserve and some beautiful views from high up. Nice view of the Roman fort as well. Be aware that you do have to cross a railway line and it would be muddy when wet....
JessGreen
The start of this walk along Ladies Walk didn't feel safe as women on our own. It's very isolated and industrial. Beyond this there are some really nice features, particularly the aqueduct....
JessGreen
I was quite glad of the road sections for a bit of a break, with easy walking and a faster pace. The fields after that provided wonderful views, especially back towards Ingleborough. After a bit more road walking and some more fields, including passing a huge chicken factory, I arrived in Over Kellet, and from there it was a straightforward pavement walk into Carnforth....
Mary Oz
Mary Oz added Carhig two, a new walk from Carnforth to High Bentham
Walk this routeThe start of the route was an interesting part of the city going under and over the railway and finally over the Lune out of the city. We soon reached the Lancaster canal which was a very scenic and beautiful stroll through some miles of open countryside with great views over the coast. The route comes to an end in the town of Carnforth at a small square very close to the railway....
Jackie
Apart from short sections at either end, the route couldn’t be easier; it’s canal towpath all the way. From there it is a short distance to the car park for the Canal Turn pub, which opens onto the towpath. From the multiple pelican crossings where the A6 crosses the canal, there is a cobbled road/footpath next to the car park....
Mary Oz
Starting from Carnforth the route proceeds, as per Arncar one, on the road north past the Steamtown railway site and across the River Keer to Millhead and then across fields to Warton with good views of Warton Crag. Passing through Warton the route heads north uphill along Coach Road and affords good views back over to the Lune valley. The route bears left on the Occupation Road through the woods to exit at Crag Foot. From here there are good views of Arnside Knott and Arnside Woods....
Lancaster Ramblers
Lancaster Ramblers added Arncar three, a new walk from Arnside to Carnforth
Walk this routeStarting from Carnforth the route proceeds on the road north past the Steamtown railway site and across the River Keer to Millhead and then across fields to Warton with good views of Warton Crag. These fields regularly flood in the winter in which case the road may be followed. Passing through Warton the route heads north uphill along Coach Road and affords good views back over to the Lune valley. The embankment path is scheduled to be the route taken by the English Coastal Path....
Lancaster Ramblers
Starting from Carnforth we proceeded on the road north past the Steamtown railway site and across the River Keer to Millhead and then across fields to Warton with good views of Warton Crag. Passing through Warton the route heads north uphill along Coach Road and affording good views back over to the Lune valley....
Lancaster Ramblers
This walk combines the promenade, the access land near Hest Bank and the coastline paths to enter Carnforth from the River Keer. From there, the coastal path is followed past the Praying Shell sculpture and affording excellent views of Grange-over-Sands and Lakeland, to the start of the marsh....
Lancaster Ramblers
Lancaster Ramblers added Morcar four, a new walk from Morecambe to Carnforth
Walk this routeThis pleasant walk combines the promenade, the access land near Hest Bank and the coastline to the caravan park at Bolton-le-Sands but omits the poor stretch of path across the marsh....
Lancaster Ramblers
Mary Oz added Carkir five, a new walk from Carnforth to Kirkby Lonsdale
Walk this routeFrom Outfield Farm the route followed roads for miles, except for a short-cut through a field and over a level crossing....
Mary Oz
I attempted to walk this route, but unfortunately it appears that the bridleway between Docker Farm and Outfield Farm has been eradicated. The farmer at Outfield Farm was fairly firm in saying I should follow the road, the gates were difficult to access, and the field was totally overgrown....
Mary Oz
Lancaster Ramblers added Carkir three, a new walk from Carnforth to Kirkby Lonsdale
Walk this routeThe route initially follows the Lancaster canal towpath then cuts across country on roads, paths and bridleways to meet the Lune Valley Ramble on the river Lune near Whittingham and follows this to Kirkby Lonsdale. However, the section around Capernwray is not currently on Public Rights of Way and one section is signed Private. Carkir one should be replaced by another route, eg Carkir two....
Lancaster Ramblers
This pleasant walk combines the promenade, the access land near Hest Bank and the canal towpath from Hest Bank to Carnforth. An alternative is to follow the pavement on the main road into the village of Hest Bank and take a road on the right to the canal towpath (3 alternatives)....
Lancaster Ramblers
It’s a bit of a long haul, but not too steep, and as the highest point of the route is reached you turn onto a pretty wooded path through Leighton Hall Estate and soon turn to head downhill towards the hall itself. At this point the climb is well rewarded with excellent views of the castle-like hall, Leighton Moss nature reserve, Morecambe Bay, and across to the hills above Grange-over-Sands. You do cross the course itself though, with good views out to the coast to the south, before passing through some more woods and onto some slightly busier country roads....
Mary Oz
The beach section at Silverdale can be avoided by using a walled path from Cove Well which becomes a footpath across fields. There are some nice views to be glimpsed from the path around Arnside Knott giving a taster of what can be seen from the summit. Rounding Jenny Brown’s Point is a lovely section, and is followed by some beach which has tidal rivers and a sloping land perimeter of limestone which is fun to walk. At Quaker’s Stang, the diagonal path across the fields, as shown on the OS Map, has effectively been replaced by a well-used path along the top of the grassy embankment, built as protection against the tides....
Mary Oz
After the crossing it leaves the canal via a short steep slope, crosses the canal on the road and then descends into a field via a ladder stile. A short walk in the field by the canal leads to a muddy area by the stile, caused by cattle which are sometimes present in the field....
Lancaster Ramblers
If you progress right down to the riverside road, you will need to use the two short sections of the Millennium footbridge in order to get onto the higher up cycle track. The riverside cycle track is straightforward and you soon reach the magnificent Lune Aqueduct. The route from here is pretty straightforward, along farm lanes and a very quiet single-track road, through pretty scenery, into Bolton-le-Sands, and then on past Hawksheads and Mount Pleasant....
Mary Oz
The next section to Hest Bank (where there is a beach café by the level crossing, and pub and shops a bit further inland), and on to Red Bank, is along the shore, with easy paths sometimes, but at times it is necessary to walk on the beach or the sea cobbles, some of which have seaweed on them. At Red Bank the path goes up the field and back down through the corner of the caravan/campsite. There is a café at Red Bank which is currently (summer) open 6 days a week....
Mary Oz
Important note: A small part of this route, from where it leaves the A5105 at the end of the promenade until moving inland to the canal at Hest Bank, is below the tide’s high water mark, so you need to check the tides. There is also the Hest Bank Hotel, across the canal, for refreshments and toilets....
Mary Oz
A substantial part of this route is along tidal marshes, so you would need to check the tides. The next section to Hest Bank (where there is a beach café by the level crossing, and pub and shops a bit further inland), and on to Red Bank, is along the shore, with easy paths sometimes, but at times it is necessary to walk on the beach or the sea cobbles, some of which have seaweed on them. The route goes inland at Marsh House Farm....
Mary Oz
Mary Oz added Morcar two, a new walk from Morecambe to Carnforth
Walk this routeMary Oz added Morcar three, a new walk from Morecambe to Carnforth
Walk this routeLancaster Ramblers added Lancar five, a new walk from Lancaster to Carnforth
Walk this routeThe surface of the towpath is firm and flat through to Carnforth where there is a short road (with pavement) section to the town centre....
Lancaster Ramblers
Lancaster Ramblers added Lancar four, a new walk from Lancaster to Carnforth
Walk this routeIt heads due north following the railway through a meadow, then goes over the River Lune using Carlisle railway bridge which at 1.2m wide may be a bit narrow....
Lancaster Ramblers
Lancaster Ramblers added Lancar three, a new walk from Lancaster to Carnforth
Walk this routeFollow another paved, ex railway line by the side of the river to Rylands Park....
Lancaster Ramblers
The route from the station to the Carlisle Bridge was pleasant but there are 60 or so steps up to the bridge (slope 50%) and the track across the bridge is quite narrow (< 1m). The route then left the towpath and followed roadside pavements to Carnforth town centre near the railway station....
Lancaster Ramblers
Mary Oz added Lancar two, a new walk from Lancaster to Carnforth
Walk this routeThis is slightly shorter and quieter than LanCar One’s route alongside the M6 link road (Bay Gateway) although you don’t get the great 360⁰ panorama....
Mary Oz
The bulk of the route follows the Lancaster Canal and is very pleasant and easy. The rest of the route is very pleasant, and there are alternatives to the nasty footpath....
Mary Oz
There are lovely views of Morecambe Bay, along with interest from the RSPB reserve close by....
JanMet
Initially the walk is down on the grassy shore, then as you reach the outskirts of Morecambe you will walk on a well designed pedestrianised promenade which is very popular with walkers, runners, cyclists and pram pushers. The views are very much dependent on the weather but are usually stunning....
JanMet
This is a very nice gentle walk which predominantly follows the Lancaster canal, making it a steady, even surfaced walk through a picturesque semi rural landscape. To avoid the initial urban route out of Lancaster you could follow the river upstream from Sainsbury’s to the Aquaduct in order to join the canal at that point and so avoiding all walking on roads...
JanMet
Slow Ways added Carhig one, a new walk from Carnforth to High Bentham
Walk this routeSlow Ways added Carkir one, a new walk from Carnforth to Kirkby Lonsdale
Walk this routeSlow Ways added Lancar one, a new walk from Lancaster to Carnforth
Walk this routeSlow Ways added Morcar one, a new walk from Morecambe to Carnforth
Walk this routeCarnforth’s Slow Ways starting point
Grid ref
SD4981470640
Lat / Lon
54.12916° / -2.76948°
Easting / Northing
349,814E / 470,640N
what3words
Fancy stretching your legs a bit more?
If you’ve polished off all of the routes between Carnforth and its neighbours, how about walking its whole web?
This includes the great ring of routes that join its neighbours to each other!
Facilities
Users have reported that the following facilities can be found within 1km of Carnforth's meeting point
Public toilet
Wheelchair accessible toilet
Supermarket or convenience shop
Restaurant, cafe or pub
Accommodation
Accommodation for under £50 a night
Campsite
Bothy
Free wifi
Mobility scooter hire
Off-road wheelchair hire
Disabled Parking
Train station
Bus stop
Ferry
Official ‘Walkers are Welcome’ town
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