Walking in the Arnside and Silverdale AONB
Downloads of walks leaflets now available - click below

The AONB Unit produces a range of leaflets to help both visitors and locals get the most out a countryside walk in the AONB. We have been publishing walking guides to the area for many years. Some of the routes are designed to be used in conjunction with the Train Service, on the Barrow - Lancaster line that cuts through the AONB.

We are also keen to encourage people of all abilities to experience the landscape and wildlife of the AONB through publication of easy access walks information and organising special "tramper" days for off-road wheelchair users.

You can pick up a copy of most of the walks leaflets free of charge from the AONB Office, or drop us an email or phone call to get copies sent to you by post.

To download
Visit Bittern
click here

Please note this is a 631kb file in pdf format at 72 dpi resolution for faster downloading. Printed copies are available from the AONB Office, Local TICs, the RSPB Leighton Moss Reserve and widely throughout the AONB.

The walks leaflets above are all available to download as pdf documents. Please note that in order to reduce download times the resolution of the leaflets has been reduced to suit viewing on screen and print quality is likely to be relatively poor.

Visit Bittern and the other walks leaflets are adobe pdf documents. To view them you will need a copy of Adobe Reader or Acrobat on your computer. You can download a free version of Acrobat Reader by clicking on the Adobe icon to visit the main Adobe website for the latest version of the software.

Highlights of pedal power in the AONB

There are several places in the AONB where you can get off tarmac on your bike. such as the long bridleway over Warton Crag, Dollywood Lane byway near Beetham and the permissive route through Backwood, which takes you past the remains of a limeworks restored by the Limestone Heritage Project.

One of the most popular with young off-road cycling enthusiasts is Trowbarrow Local Nature Reserve.

After heavy overnight rain these two boys have fun in Trowbarrow.

If you want to get wet and tired -
this is a brilliant place.
Try the many winding and uneven trails around the quarry floor and through the woods. Avoid the ponds though - they can be unexpectedly deep!

Remember not to cycle on the public footpaths though!

The AONB is more than happy to see cyclists using the LNR for pleasure. However the site is protected and important for wildlife and also other forms of quiet recreation, so please consider the environment and other users. Don't make artificial ramps, dig holes or otherwise try to "improve" any of the trails. If you want more adventure than the site provides naturally - and that's usually more than enough for most riders - please go to a custom made cycle park or off road cycling course.

Cycle and See in the Arnside and Silverdale AONB

Download a copy of our popular cycle routes leaflet or contact us by phone or email to get one sent in the post.

The leaflet was originally produced by Nick Cotton, a cycling enthusiast and touring guide writer, who devised, researched and tested all the rides.
Funding for Cycle and See was given by a partnership of local authorities, tourism bodies and the Friends of the Lake District. An additional grant from the Arnside/Silverdale AONB Sustainable Development Fund made it happen.

It has been reprinted twice and remains very popular. The five routes include itineraries that take in all parts of the AONB and venture further afield too!

The leaflet is a adobe pdf document (2.2Mb) Click the adobe icon to download a free version of Acrobat Reader.

The AONB is also keen to support the locally based "Wheely Good Communities" Project, promoting cycling in the villages of Burton in Kendal, Holme, Hutton Roof, Priest Hutton, Borwick, Yealand Redmayne and Yealand Conyers.

Click on the links here to visit their website: Wheely Good Communities

Out for a ride in the AONB.

There are several bridleway routes in the AONB and we have been working hard to increase the amount of off highway horse riding available in the AONB.

As part of the works carried out by the Limestone Heritage Project permissive routes have been developed on the RSPB land at Challan Hall Allotment/ Back Wood and in part of Gait Barrows National Nature Reserve to extend the existing cul-de-sac bridleway up to Challan Hall Allotment.

Another route was introduced joining the A6 through to Fell End across Hale Moss. This latter route can flood and be very muddy, so is best avoided after heavy or prolonged rain.

Remember not to ride on the public footpaths.

There is a considerable variety of recreational activities to enjoy and places to visit in the Arnside and Silverdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

For information on visitor attractions click this link to go to Visit Bittern - our web-based visitor guide to the AONB

Birdwatching

Birdwatching is very popular, the AONB playing host to more species than any other comparable area in the UK. The RSPB Reserve at Leighton Moss attracts over 100,000 human visitors a year to witness a very broad range of bird species roosting, feeding, breeding or simply passing through.

Whilst the Reserve provides excellent facilities such as hides, information, shop and tea room, it is possible to see a great variety of birdlife all around the AONB.

Good spots to see Waders are at Leighton Moss, particularly the Eric Morecambe Hide, Jenny Brown's Point and along the Kent Estuary near Arnside in the North. For those who prefer birds of prey, Buzzard can be seen virtually anywhere in the AONB, but particularly near Trowbarrow Local Nature Reserve or catch the Peregrines nesting at Warton Crag mid April to June.

Goldfinch are often seen in gardens around the AONB