A Short Trek from Arnside.

Start. Arnside.

Route. Arnside - Ash Meadow - Arnside Beach Hut - Red Hills Road - Knott Lane - Arnside Knott car park - Arnside Knott Wood - Heathwaite - Hollins Farm - Far Arnside - Arnside Park - Park Point - Arnside Point - White Creek - Blackstone Point - New Barns - Arnside.

Notes. Come for a late afternoon ramble from the delightful former fishing port of Arnside, we’ll explore woodland paths and soak up stunning scenery across the shimmering sands of Morecambe Bay. The sun is shining, the wind is cold, it’s a three layer day with hat and gloves to keep the heat in and, if our timing’s right we should be rambling up the estuary as the sun sinks below the horizon.

The shadows were already long when I left Arnside, after passing Ash Meadow I ascended a narrow trod rising between the old boat yard and Arnside Beach Hut (a small cafe). At the top of the climb I joined Red Hills Road shortly followed by Knott Lane, a path ascends parallel to the lane in the field, this I followed re-joining Knott Lane just before Arnside Knott car park. Through woodland I wandered to reach a gate allowing access to Heathwaite and the path descending to Far Arnside and the coast. Once on the coast it was coastal walking all the way back, and a stunning evening it was to do it. The channels and wet sand glowed ochre and yellow in the early evening sun, the tides had been low, dry sand was painted white with a sprinkling of snow, all this and a wonderful hue, what an evening to be out.

Above limestone cliffs I wandered, round Park Point followed by Arnside Point. I descended onto the shingle bank at White Creek then risked wet feet rounding Blackstone Point, everything was perfect except the view north. Dark cloud, a wall of the stuff like something from a sci-fi move reflecting the evening sunlight, it was snowing across South Lakeland and heading in my direction. I continued taking my time soaking up the ambience just enjoying my surroundings. Passed Frith Wood I strolled, round New Barns Bay then up the estuary to Arnside and the patiently waiting car.

view route map.

home.

Sunlight and shade, Arnside seen from Ash Meadow.

Ascending to Arnside Knott car park looking to the tree capped summit of Arnside Knott.

Stunning views over the upper reaches of Morecambe Bay to the white limestone cliffs of Whitbarrow.

Near Arnside Knott car park viewing Hampsfell and Grange-over-Sands.

Through the gate lies my route and stunning views over Morecambe Bay.

Towards Eaves Wood and Cringlebarrow from Heathwaite.

Sylvan Arnside Knott rising above Hollins Farm.

Sunlight paints the surface of Morecambe Bay.

The scene from the shingle bank at Far Arnside.

The perspective west as far as the squat towers of Heysham Power Station.

The long finger of Humphrey Head seen from the Far Arnside coast.

Stunning light over the shifting sands of Morecambe Bay.

Viewing the dark finger of Know End Point backed by a snowy Clougha Pike.

Wandering along a reassuring cliff top path.

Winter conditions across Morecambe Bay.

Seen over snow covered sand the Newton Fells with Meathop Fell to the right.

Hampsfell as seen from Arnside Point.

Wandering towards White Creek and Frith Wood.

Golden light on the cliffs at Blackstone Point.

Evening light paints the landscape.

Rounding Blackstone Point watching heavy snow showers sweep across South Cumbria.

Looking back towards Humphrey Head and the setting sun.

This feels like walking into the pages of a sci-fi movie, the photo doesn't do the wall of cloud justice.

No aliens just the threat of a storm.

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