Best walks from Carnforth

Lancaster Station to Carnforth Station

the magnificent Lune Aqueduct; a canalside view of the sea, with mountains beyond. A long but very easy route, canal towpath nearly all the way, with short street sections at each end and no stiles, gates or steps. The towpath contours above the Lune valley over the magnificent Lune Aqueduct; surface is tarmac (partly broken) or fine gravel and lumpy in places with a couple of short muddy patches and a short cobbled section. Views across the fields, Morecambe Bay and the Lakeland hills; kingfishers sometimes seen. Cafés at St John's Hospice (Lancaster end) and a shoreside café and micropub at Hest Bank.

14km. Moderate ascents.

The towpath surface is lumpy where the tarmac has disintegrated, with a couple of slightly muddy patches.

Lunch: Canalside pubs and a supermarket at Bolton-le-Sands and a canalside pub at Hest Bank.

End-of-walk reward: the Canal Turn.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Carnforth Station to Bentham Station

wonderful views, especially back towards Ingleborough. Roughly 40% quiet lanes and farm roads (some with pavement, some without) and 60% field paths and farm tracks. Several field sections have no visible trodden path and can be long-grassed, thistly or boggy. Gently undulating with some hills and plus a riverside stretch along the Wenning. Curlews and other wildlife are common in the fields; expect livestock (sheep, occasional cows). Wennington has a station, so the walk can be shortened.

22km.

Some field paths are unclear underfoot, so GPS is useful; ground-nesting birds (curlews) may be disturbed in long grass during nesting season. A few road sections have no pavement, and the lane leaving Hornby can be the dodgiest for traffic.

Lunch: Hornby (around halfway) has shops, a café and a pub.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Arnside Station to Carnforth Station

numerous extensive views across Morecambe Bay. A walk through varied landscapes and habitats with extensive views across Morecambe Bay, with a big hill up and down at each end and a level stretch through the middle. Includes a steep and stony track that can be slippery when wet. Passes Arnside Tower and the viewpoint at Arnside Knott; the embankment path is scheduled to become part of the English Coast Path. Good train connections between Carnforth and Arnside.

15km.

Should not be walked during very high tides or in particularly wet weather. The fields between Millhead and Warton flood occasionally in very wet weather, when Mill Lane can be used instead.

Lunch: Several refreshment opportunities in Silverdale.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Morecambe Station to Carnforth Station

The coast has superb views. A coastal-and-canal walk: about a mile and a half along the well-surfaced Morecambe promenade with views across the bay, then a tidal shore section to Hest Bank (on beach, paths and sea cobbles) and before joining the Lancaster Canal towpath all the way to Carnforth. Towpath is generally degraded tarmac or gravel. Plenty of wildlife on the sands, mudflats and along the towpath.

Easy: 10km, moderate ascents.

A short section between the promenade and Hest Bank is below the high-water mark — check tide times; a pavement alongside the main road is the alternative at high tide. The shore can be stony and slippery with seaweed. A railway level crossing at Hest Bank.

Lunch: A beach café by the level crossing at Hest Bank, plus a pub and shops.

End-of-walk reward: the Canal Turn.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route