Connect Lancaster 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 Lancaster to the verified network. Can you give a hike and help?
Give a hike!Lancaster
Lancashire
Slow Ways linking Lancaster and Abbeystead, Carnforth, Garstang, Heysham, High Bentham, Morecambe, Preesall
England / Lancashire / Lancaster
Lancaster’s seven Slow Ways are 79% checked
Help connect Lancaster
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 Lancaster’s Slow Ways.
Walk to Lancaster from further afield
Slow Way | Route | To do | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Heysham—Lancaster
|
Heylan one |
|
|
3 X |
|
Verify me | Distance 8km/5mi | Ascent 104m | Descent 99m | |
Heysham—Lancaster
|
Heylan two |
|
1 Y |
|
Review me | Distance 9km/6mi | Ascent - | Descent - | ||
Heysham—Lancaster
|
Heylan five |
|
3 X |
|
Review me | Distance 8km/5mi | Ascent - | Descent - | ||
Lancaster—Abbeystead
|
Lanabb one |
|
4 X |
|
Enjoy me | Distance 14km/9mi | Ascent 358m | Descent 264m | ||
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 | ||
Lancaster—High Bentham
|
Lanchig one |
|
U U |
|
Pioneer me | Distance 28km/17mi | Ascent 681m | Descent 598m | ||
Lancaster—High Bentham
|
Lanchig two |
|
4 X |
|
Review me | Distance 28km/18mi | Ascent - | Descent - | ||
Lancaster—High Bentham
|
Lanchig three |
|
4 X |
|
Review me | Distance 27km/17mi | Ascent - | Descent - | ||
Lancaster—Garstang
|
Langar one |
|
2 X |
|
Enjoy me | Distance 21km/13mi | Ascent 115m | Descent 113m | ||
Lancaster—Garstang
|
Langar two |
|
3 X |
|
Review me | Distance 21km/13mi | Ascent 178m | Descent 176m | ||
Morecambe—Lancaster
|
Morlan one |
|
1 X |
|
Enjoy me | Distance 7km/4mi | Ascent 58m | Descent 46m | ||
Morecambe—Lancaster
|
Morlan two |
|
1 Y |
|
Enjoy me | Distance 7km/4mi | Ascent 102m | Descent 91m | ||
Preesall—Lancaster
|
Prelan one |
|
U U |
|
Pioneer me | Distance 28km/17mi | Ascent 140m | Descent 139m | ||
Preesall—Lancaster
|
Prelan two |
|
3 X |
|
Verify me | Distance 31km/19mi | Ascent - | Descent - |
Fancy stretching your legs a bit more?
If you’ve polished off all of the routes between Lancaster 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
79% of Lancaster’s seven route options are drawn, reviewed, surveyed and/or verified
18/18
16/18
16/18
7/18
15 people have contributed to Lancaster’s Slow Ways
1 people have pledged to walk and review a route
22 people have surveyed a route in Lancaster
242km out of 298km have been walked and reviewed
544km of reviews have been shared in Lancaster
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
The route turns right towards Lee End Farm past Shepherds Barn where we were confronted by a man with anger issues who insisted we went no further despite the public right of way and we decided, rightly or wrongly, not to push the issue and returned to Wyresdale Road for a short diversion to Long Lane where we continued our route across farmland and through farms where our online maps proved invaluable in finding the route....
Michael
Once out of the city centre, where we could walk on pavements, there was no option but to walk on the road until we arrived at the lane leading to the first farm. We decided to turn back down the lane, walk along Wyresdale road a bit further to the next right turning (Long Lane) and then pick up the footpath again. The walk finishes in Abbeystead, but there is no public transport here, so we had to walk on through Dolphinholme, walking part of the Wyresdale Way and reach the A6, where we were able to catch a bus back to Lancaster, stopping at The Fleece pub en route, for much needed refreshment....
Helen Lord
For much of the route between Conder Mill Bridge 510595 and Meeting House Farm 547553 there is no obvious path and route finding is difficult, including navigating fields of long grass, cattle trodden rutted mud, climbing over unkept, rickety, damaged stiles or through narrow steep-stepped wall stiles, all often hidden with few way-markers. Excellent navigational skills with map and compass bearings and/or GPS is essential to discuss route finding and to find alternative paths. Re-routing was necessary at one point due to a farmer having young cattle in one field as well as the path looking unmanageable and not clearly signposted....
Sue B
It is a difficult route to follow and to walk, but we made it, still in four pieces - it took our Naismith-capable group six hours from start to finish, compared with Naismith's predicted time of three and a half hours. It was a pleasant extra walk that took us two hours at Naismith pace....
Dave Taylor
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
As has been covered in previous reviews, this version of the Morlan SlowWay largely follows the same route as Morlan One, except for a small diversion around Lancaster in order to avoid steps and rougher terrain. That said, there are some notable gradients to tackle, and when using the level crossing on the approach to Morecambe, I found some of the gates rather stiff to open, which could potentially cause issues for some users. Besides these issues, this route is ideal for all kinds of wheels....
Dannywith
As has been mentioned in earlier reviews, the eastern portion of this walk requires some steep gradients and the use of steps, so if wheeling, Morlan Two would be the preferable option....
Dannywith
The 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
The route from Preesall leads up Park lane and follows streets and village paths to reach the coastal path at the outskirts of Knott End. The track finishes at Lane Ends and a quiet lane is taken to the main busy A580 road. Fortunately this is only a short stretch and Horse Park Lane to taken to Pilling Hall farm....
Lancaster Ramblers
Follow the Public Right of Way parallel to the dual carriageway and take the signposted stile and steps up to the main road. Note the OS map takes you round to the left to join Moss Road from where you need to walk back to the main road. Continue along Moss Road (unclassified). Pass North Farm and continue on the road to Downlands Farm where the road ends....
Lancaster Ramblers
Lancaster Ramblers added Heylan five, a new walk from Heysham to Lancaster
Walk this route(a) As per the original Slow Ways route there is a farm track passing under the dual carriageway road. (b) Follow the Public Right of Way parallel to the dual carriageway and take the signposted stile and steps up to the main road. Note the OS map takes you round to the left to join Moss Road from where you need to walk back to the main road. Continue along Moss Road (unclassified) to pass the locked gate mentioned in (a). The owners don’t recommend taking this route (and neither do we) so bear left and right round the large building, go straight on through 2 very narrow open spaces in the fences and into the field which was rather muddy at the time of our visit....
Lancaster Ramblers
The main facilities on this 17 mile route are 5 miles from either end, at Wray (where there is an excellent licenced café - closed Mondays), and at Brookhouse/Caton (the Station pub in Caton is a slight detour from the cycle track). The middle 7 miles are pretty remote, with the trig point on Whit Moor being about half way. Head for this, there is a trodden track to follow, through the sedge and grass. Go through this and follow the track up to the trig point at the summit. I have walked the cycle track route to Lancaster from here many times and know it to be pleasant, easy, off-road and safe. It is the same route into Lancaster that I walked and described for LancHig Two: An interesting set of bridges at Crook o’ Lune, with picnic tables, a small car park, toilets, and a small burger and tea café open at weekends (Woodie’s). From here, the remainder of the route follows the former railway line, now a well maintained, tarmacked cycle track, past the Halton eco-village (which uses hydro-electric power from the river), Halton Station (now used by rowing clubs), under the M6, under the Lune Aqueduct, and right into Lancaster, all following the River Lune....
Mary Oz
Mary Oz added Lanchig three, a new walk from Lancaster to High Bentham
Walk this routeThis is a long route which I walked over two days in the winter. I started from Preesall and ended in Lancaster, but used the bus stop at Marsh Houses, which is half way between Cockerham and where the route crosses the A588, to enable me to go home for the night, midway. I’m not sure how policed this is, but the alternative route is the roads via Pilling which is the route the Lancashire Coastal Path follows. After this the route through the farm at Pilling Hall may involve crossing a yard full of cows. She was very helpful and said that she’d like to divert the path to an easier route around the farm. After crossing a couple of wet fields, the route followed three miles of very quiet country roads, and I was very tempted to stop at the Farm Yard Brew Co, but I had a bus to catch. The route crosses fields soon after this as the coast is privately owned and protected here. (I was not the only one!) I was temped to fail this route, but it seems this is an occasional event, and this is a recognised long distance public route...
Mary Oz
A little bit more pavement pacing takes you over the railway and past Morecambe’s football ground, and you soon reach the next cycle track adjacent to a primary school. The supermarket between the industrial estate the sports centre, and also one on the B5321 a short detour from the north end of the long straight bit of cycle track, both have cafés and toilets, and there are several benches along the route too....
Mary Oz
It promised to be a lovely route, but unfortunately the Lune Valley Ramble along the north bank of the River Lune is not in very good condition. From Bentham the route crossed a caravan site before going through fields next to the River Wenning. The route along lanes and fields to Hornby is very well used and was easy to follow, with views of Hornby Castle, and an obvious section of the former Wennington to Lancaster railway. This section through fields alongside the Lune was very easy. After passing where the River Wenning flows into the Lune I spotted a lonely stoop where the path turns a right angle towards a stile and gate. Emerging into the fields near a big weir, I felt I was on the home run; just a couple more easy pleasant riverside fields, and I could see the bridges at Crook o’ Lune. This went past the Halton eco-village (which uses hydro-electric power from the river), Halton Station (now used by rowing clubs), under the M6, under the Lune Aqueduct, and right into Lancaster, all following the River Lune....
Mary Oz
Mary Oz added Lanchig two, a new walk from Lancaster to High Bentham
Walk this routeApart 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
Downlands Farm itself has a small gap between the metal fence posts to gain access through the farmyard but the ground was impassable (liquid mud and other farm related brownness) so we had to go along the fence a little and duck under instead. The road after North Farm to the roundabout is not marked as a public right of way but there's nothing preventing you from walking it. The farmer had blocked this off with an old metal gate tied on with a piece of rope - he explained this was to stop sheep escaping to the main road....
Angela Halsall
Its, good but be aware it is a well used cycle route!...
Mr Snail
Taking the easterly version of the Wyre Way through fields and woods, the route crosses the M6 and railway at Woodacre Hall and heads south-west to meet the river Wyre again which it follows....
Lancaster Ramblers
Lancaster Ramblers added Langar two, a new walk from Lancaster to Garstang
Walk this routeThis pleasant walk was completed from Lancaster southwards and follows the canal towpath for much of the way....
Lancaster Ramblers
Pleasant green corridor linking Morecambe and the coast to Lancaster City centre. Shared, tarmac path used by pedestrians, cyclists, wheelchair users...
kubicki
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
I walked this pleasant canal towpath route in a northerly direction from Garstang to Lancaster. Overall, this is a very pleasant walk with a wealth of wildflowers in summer (which make the towpath quite narrow in places), and a range of wildlife....
Mary Oz
The first five-plus miles was all across fields on footpaths that show on OS maps, but are hardly ever walked, consequently it was very difficult to see them on the ground. Overall, it was very hard slow going, and it was actually a relief to reach the road near Quernmore. The final three-plus miles, from near Quernmore, were entirely along roads....
Mary Oz
The route is well signposted on the old railway line and the houses and light industry are generally well shielded from the path by trees. If walking in a small group, the presence of large numbers of cyclists plus electric scooters and mobility scooters means that one needs to stay alert and keep to the walker’s side of the path (right). The route is hard surfaced throughout flat except for the short final section to Lancaster railway station....
Lancaster Ramblers
Lancaster 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
It incorporates a riverside walk and for much of the distance it follows a path and cycleway utilising a former railway line between Lancaster and Morecambe. Gates at a level crossing across the existing railway line near Morecambe (photo provided) should not pose a problem for most users. Crossing the existing railway line via a level crossing near Morecambe obviously requires particular care (photo provided)....
Peregrinating Paul
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
The route crosses a bridge over the railway then follows well-used but narrow lanes before crossing farm fields (with unclear paths, but fairly easy to spot points to aim for), then passes through a couple of farms. The route out of North Farm to the A683 bypass is a short, surfaced road, although it is not marked as a public right of way. The route passes between the railway and some housing and through to a meadow, then onto a cycle track, under a dark bridge below the railway and up another cycle track to the station....
Mary Oz
This route makes full use of the Lancaster and Morecambe Greenway, a tarmacked, well-lit, popular off-road route, created from a former railway line. From the Eric Morecambe statue on Morecambe Prom, follow the Prom, with its lovely view, then turn onto Northumberland Street and head for the railway station and small bus station. A short way along the Greenway, you must carefully cross the single-track railway, on a pedestrian level crossing with gates at either side....
Mary Oz
This route makes full use of the Lancaster and Morecambe Greenway, a tarmacked, well-lit, popular off-road route, created from a former railway line. The route crosses the river on the Millennium Bridge. There is a sharp turn onto a short bit of road which crosses under a dark railway bridge....
Mary Oz
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
A very pleasant easy walk, following the Lancaster canal. Almost immediately the walk takes you away from the city and along the towpath where you will see a great variety of birds, swans, heron and farmland as well as canal barges Flat easy walking surface but can be very muddy if wet near to Lancaster....
JanMet
Ms Katy Jonas added Lanabb one, a new walk from Lancaster to Abbeystead
Walk this routeMendiphodge added Langar one, a new walk from Lancaster to Garstang
Walk this routeSlow Ways added Lancar one, a new walk from Lancaster to Carnforth
Walk this routeSlow Ways added Lanchig one, a new walk from Lancaster to High Bentham
Walk this routeSlow Ways added Morlan one, a new walk from Morecambe to Lancaster
Walk this routeSlow Ways added Prelan one, a new walk from Preesall to Lancaster
Walk this routeLancaster’s Slow Ways starting point
Grid ref
SD4718261726
Lat / Lon
54.04879° / -2.80819°
Easting / Northing
347,182E / 461,726N
what3words
Fancy stretching your legs a bit more?
If you’ve polished off all of the routes between Lancaster 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 Lancaster'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
Help us improve this information by signing up or logging in and carrying out a quick survey of Lancaster