A late start was unavoidable today so the short drive to Arnside meant I could take advantage of the afternoon sun, A Circuit of Hazelslack turned out to be a walk of contrasts, from the gold of Milnthorpe Sands to the lush green mixed woodland of Underlaid Wood, up to my knees in spring flowers as I strolled through the pastures to Gait Barrows, the best I could manage for a mountain was the heights of Haverbrack Fell, it dose have stunning views over South Lakeland, and the craggy bit has got to be the Fairy Steps. I crossed the railway at the small footbridge at Arnside Station then I just followed the estuary until the road curved inland as I left Sandside, there the ascent of Haverbrack Fell began with some of the best views of the day, the short walk through Haverbrack Wood brought me to Underlaid Wood and the Fairy Steps, then on to the small hamlet of Slack Head to enter the fields at Leighton Beck Bridge before reaching Gait Barrows, from Gait Barrows I took the path along the edge of Silverdale Moss to the strange landscape of Black Dyke, perhaps it should be White Dyke as the mounds and hollows are the remains of Arnside's lucrative salt industry, from there it was a short walk back to Arnside.
A Circuit of Hazelslack.

back to list

view route map

   
From the small station at Arnside views to the west.
   
Arnside seen from Milnthorpe Sands.
   
The Kent Viaduct backed by Hampsfell above Grange-over-Sands.
   
Following the Kent Channel with views across Milnthorpe Sands.
   
Looking to Underlaid Wood.
   
Seen across Milnthorpe Sands, Whitbarrow Scar.
   
Rising above the estuary Arnside Knott.
   
Sandside, or Westmorland by the Sea as my grandmother always called it, as it was the only part of old Westmorland that was actually by the coast
   
The stunning view across the Kent Estuary with Lyth Valley sandwiched between the scars of Whitbarrow and Scout.
   
Whitbarrow Scar from the ascent of Haverbrack Fell.
   
The unfolding panorama from the ascent of Haverbrack Fell.
   
The village of Milnthorpe, once a thriving port until the engineers of the railway industry caused the estuary to silt up.
   
Strolling through Underlaid Wood on route to the Fairy Steps.
   
The Fairy Steps, ascend the steps without touching the sides and the fairies will grant you a wish.
   
Your reward for climbing the highly polished fissure are stunning view from Whin Scar.
   
Arnside Knott seen from the path to Cold Well, just off Dolly Wood Lane.
   
The pastures above Gait Barrows.
   
Surrounded by the woodland of Gait Barrows, Challen Hall above Hawes Water.
   
Arnside Knott seen across Silverdale Moss.
   
Crossing Black Dyke, the humps and hollows are all that remains of Arnside's salt industry, the pits were allowed to fill with water as the tide flooded, the water was allowed to evaporate before the valuable salt could be collected.
back to top
 
back to list