GPS Cycle and Walking Routescycle iconwalk icon

Warton Crag Walk

3.11 miles (5 km)

Ordnance Survey Map Open Streetmap Enjoy a circular walk around Warton Crag on this lovely route in Lancashire.
The limestone hill near Carnforth stands at 163 metres (535 ft) making it the highest point in the Arnside and Silverdale AONB.
It is also a nature reserve with grassland, ancient semi-natural woodland and limestone pavement, supporting some of Britain's rarest butterflies. From the high point there are fabulous views of the River Keer estuary, Morecambe Bay, the Forest of Bowland, the Lake District Fells and the Yorkshire Dales.
The area supports rare plants such as Rigid Buckler Fern and Juniper, Pale St. John's Wort and Angular Solomon's-seal. In the woodland area you can find Wood Anemone, Bluebell and Primrose as well as Early Purple Orchid, Violets and Pignut. It is also home to many rare butterflies including Pearl Bordered Fritillary, Small Pearl Bordered Fritillary and High Brown Fritillary.
If you would like to continue your walk you could head to the nearby Leighton Moss Nature Reserve where you will find the largest reedbed in the north west and an abundance of wildlife. The Lancashire Coastal Way also runs past Warton Crag so you could pick this up and head towards Arnside Knott where you can find more interesting wildlife and plantlife.

Warton Crag OS Map Ordnance survey map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Warton Crag Open Street Map Open Streetmap - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Pubs/Cafes

In the little village of Warton there's a couple of pubs where you can enjoy some refreshments after your walk. The Malt Shovel Inn does good food and also has a nice beer garden to relax in on warmer days. It's located at postcode LA5 9PG.
The George Washington is another friendly place with historical connections to George Washington, the first president of the USA. You can find it at the foot of the crag at a postcode of LA5 9PJ for your sat navs.

Dog Walking

The woodland on the hill makes for a fine dog walk. The two pubs mentioned above are also dog friendly.

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

If you head to the nearby Silverdale train station you could catch a train over the Kent viaduct to Grange Over Sands on the other side of the river. Here you can pick up the popular Grange-over-Sands and Cartmel Circular Walk which visits the fascinating 12th century Cartmel Priory and the splendidly positioned Hampsfell Hospice.
A few miles to the north there's another local geological highlight at Beetham's Fairy Steps. Here you will find an unusual natural limestone staircase which you can climb for more excellent views. The little village of Beetham is also well worth exploring with its 14th century ruined manor house and a particularly lovely garden centre. Near here there's also the market town of Milnthorpe. Here you can enjoy a lovely walk along Milnthorpe Sands to the River Kent Estuary and the wonderful topiary at Levens Hall.

Photos

Limestone boulders, Warton Crag - geograph.org.uk - 1047895

Limestone boulders on the crag known as The Three Brothers

Beacon on Warton Crag - geograph.org.uk - 1281402

Beacon on Warton Crag. This beacon near the trig point was erected in 1988 for re-enactment of the approaching Spanish Armada in 1588. It has since developed a list.

Warton Pinnacle Crag - geograph.org.uk - 1586580

Warton Pinnacle Crag. One of the more popular climbing grounds on Warton Crag, home to some good mid-grade climbs and some desperate bouldering around the overhangs

The exit to the car park at Warton Crag - geograph.org.uk - 828593

The exit to the car park at Warton Crag. This lovely car park at the bottom of the Crag is currently home to nesting peregrine falcons and little owls.

Warton Small Quarry - geograph.org.uk - 1586336

Small Quarry Car park on the edge of Warton, the start to many an ascent of Warton Crag

Warton Pinnacle - geograph.org.uk - 1586575

Warton Pinnacle Rock climbing area south west of the summit of the Crag. Climbers know this (and by extension the rest of the cliff) as Warton Pinnacle Crag. The pinnacle itself is about 10 metres tall on this side but has a much shorter face on the opposite side. The wide crack is "The Graunch" graded VS 4c first climbed in 1968 by Bill Lounds.

Boulders on Warton Crag - geograph.org.uk - 2841590

Boulders on the crag on a bright early spring day

Scar Close, Warton Crag - geograph.org.uk - 2200628

Scar Close in the snow.

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

Warton Crag.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Download Linked File)

Memory Map Route

Warton Crag.mmo (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold >Download Linked File)