We will be exploring the best of the south Cumbria coast. Bridget has devised our route to ensure that you walk the best paths. Sometimes weather changes things and we ask you to bring your sense of adventure and flexible spirit. Your guide will always brief you of any changes.
ARRIVAL DAY – Check in at 15:00 at the Netherwood Hotel and check out its wonderful spa.
If you arrive early you could wander into Grange-over-Sands and take in the sea views and explore the various local shops.
Your guide, Bridget, will be around from late afternoon and will meet everyone at reception for a briefing at 18:00, followed by your welcome dinner at the hotel.
Bridget will give you a full briefing on your first evening and choose the best walks for each day depending on the weather.
You can expect to do the following hikes..
Grange-over-Sands to Cartmel – 15kms /9.3 miles with 456m ascent
Setting off from the hotel, we climb up through woods to emerge onto the open limestone ground of Hampsfell (220m) and its hospice. Nothing to do with hospitals, this Victorian tower acts as a shelter for the weary and a brilliant viewpoint. From here there are panoramic 360-degree views of the Lake District and Morecambe Bay. We should be able to see where we will be walking for the rest of our time together.
We then descend into the picturesque village of Cartmel – a foodie’s delight! We return over the shoulder of Hampsfell, so little ascent in the afternoon.
Carnforth to Arnside – 18kms/11.2 miles with 306m of ascent
Taking a local train we journey south to Carnforth and are soon in the Arnside Silverdale National Landscape area. We climb Warton Crag and get great views of Morecambe Bay. Crossing low marsh land near the RSPB reserve of Leighton Moss, home to the rare bittern. The remainder of our walk is largely through limestone coastal woodland as we head northwards until we swing eastwards along the Kent estuary. We arrive in theattractive village of Arnside where we catch a train and cross the estuary to our hotel on the other side.
Dalton-in-Furness to Piel Island – 13km/8.1 miles 91m ascent
An altogether different day. The train takes us west to the Furness peninsular, in southwest Cumbria. Here we start in the historic town of Dalton-in-Furness and wend our way down the wooded Vale of Nightshade. Past the impressive Cistercian Furness Abbey, we head south to the coast and the causeway linking the mainland to Roa Island. We catch a small ferry for the short journey across to Piel Island dominated by its castle. Happily, the island also has a pub, where the King of Piel Island holds court. Here we are right out in Morecambe Bay and can look at where we’ve walked together.
Train back to the hotel.(Please note that there will be a substitute walk if the weather doesn’t allow us to make the ferry crossing safely.)
Day 5 – Departure Your guide will be available in the morning to assist with departures.
For those travelling after 1pm there will be an opportunity for a walk on the nearby Humphrey Head peninsular. Departure to suit your own travel plan
