GPS Cycle and Walking Routes

Backbarrow Walks

1 miles (1.6 km)

This riverside village is located just south of Lake Windermere in the Lake District National Park.
It's a lovely place for a stroll with fine views of the River Leven and the surrounding hills from the village.
This walk from Backbarrow takes you south along the river to visit the old Ironworks and the neighbouring village of Haverthwaite. The Ironworks date back to 1711 and are thought to be the best preserved of their type in the country. You can enjoy explore the historic site and see the remains of the 1770 furnace stack; the waterwheel pit and later power house; the ovens that re-heated waste gases to supply a hot blast to the furnace; and the massive stone barns that stored the iron-making ingredients.
At the start of the route there's also the popular Lakeland Motor Museum. Here you can view a wonderful collection of over 30,000 exhibits that trace the development of road transport throughout the twentieth century. These include cycles, motorbikes, motor cars and automobilia.
In Haverthwaite there's the heritage Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway from Haverthwaite Station. You can catch a boat from Bowness to the Lakeside station on Windermere and then get on the popular tourist train to the village. It's a nice way to visit the lake from the area.

Postcode

LA12 8TA - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locations

Backbarrow OS Map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Backbarrow Open Street Map - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Walks near Backbarrow

  • Haverthwaite - This walk climbs to Haverthwaite Heights near the Cumbrian village of Haverthwaite
  • Newby Bridge Circular Walk - This circular walk from the hamlet of Newby Bridge, climbs through woodland to Finsthwaite Heights and High Dam tarn
  • Gummers How - Enjoy wonderful views over Lake Windermere on this short climb to Gummers How in the Lake District National Park
  • Fell Foot Country Park - This beautiful lakeside country park is situated in the Lake District National Park at the southern tip of Lake Windermere
  • Bowness - With its lakeside location the village of Bowness-on-Windermere is a lovely place to visit
  • Cartmel Fell - This walk visits the village of Cartmel Fell from Bowland Bridge in the Lake District
  • High Dam - This is a popular walk visiting the lovely tarns on Finsthwaite Heights, near Newby Bridge on the south western edge of the Lake District
  • Latterbarrow - This is a fairly easy climb to Latterbarrow Hill in the Lake District
  • Claife Heights - Claife Heights lies between Lake Windermere and Esthwaite Water in the Lake District
  • Esthwaite Water - Enjoy a short stroll down to Esthwaite Water from the village of Hawkshead on this easy walk in the Lake District
  • Cumbria Coastal Way - Explore the wonderful coastline of Cumbria on this splendid long distance path
  • Ulverston Canal - This short canal runs from the centre of the Cumbrian town of Ulverston to the coast at Morcambe Bay
  • Greenodd - This Cumbrian village is located near Ulverston and the south western boundary of the Lake District National Park

Pubs/Cafes

The motor museum mentioned above houses a nice riverside cafe. You could enjoy a stroll around the interesting museum and then enjoy a meal with a view afterwards. You can find them at Old Blue Mill, LA12 8TA.
There's also the Whitewater Hotel which is housed in a 19th-century factory building overlooking the river.

Photos

Whitewater Hotel, Backbarrow - geograph.org.uk - 2186466

Whitewater Hotel, Backbarrow

The River Leven at Backbarrow - geograph.org.uk - 2371405

The River Leven at Backbarrow

Remains of Backbarrow Ironworks - geograph.org.uk - 2192956

Remains of Backbarrow Ironworks

River Leven, Weir and Footbridge at Backbarrow - geograph.org.uk - 4009471

River Leven, Weir and Footbridge at Backbarrow

The Lakeland Motor Museum at Backbarrow - geograph.org.uk - 4009468

The Lakeland Motor Museum at Backbarrow

Backbarrow MMB 02 River Leven

Backbarrow and the River Leven

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

Backbarrow.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>'Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Share>Save to Files')