Northern Loop Map and GPX

Abbeystead is a small hamlet located in the Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, in Lancashire, England.

This 628m peak in Yorkshire Dales National Park features caves, 3 cairns and a trig point.

Ward’s Stone is 561m high with two trig points. It is the second highest point in Lanacshire.

At 527m it is the fifth highest point in Lancashire.

It is our first climb on the Northern Loop but only reaches 215m high.

Silverdale is a village and civil parish within the City of Lancaster district of Lancashire, England. The village stands on Morecambe Bay, near the border with Cumbria, 4.5 miles north west of Carnforth and 8.5 miles from Lancaster.

The stage is just 5 miles long and is a relaxed start as we follow the River Lune downstream to its estuary at Glasson.

Whilst largely a canal walk it is a pretty one before we head into the hills.

The summit of the wonderfully named Nicky Nook is our first climb on this Loop. Although only 215m high, this outlier of the Bowland Fells has great views to the coast.

The end of the Stage is marked by the Abbeystead Reservoir and the site of the tragic explosion at the water pump station in the 1984 when 16 people were killed.

The route takes in the summit of Ward’s Stone, which at 561m is the second highest point in Lancashire.

It is a largely flat stage but with villages of character and some historical interest. You may be surprised that this includes the Bronte sisters.

At 627m, or 2057ft, it has commanding views over to Morecambe Bay and the Lakeland Fells beyond. It is also just a stone’s throw from Whernside and Ingleborough in Yorkshire.

The stage is 7.25miles long but with little if any climb. Look out for the motte and bailey remains at Arkholme, one of several in this area.

Keep looking back across the Lune Valley to Gragareth and Ingleborough.

The Stage ends at Tewistfield with its marina. It is the end of the navigable canal and the start of the remains of the Northern Reaches.

. From above Yealand Conyers we can see Morecambe Bay sitting beyond Leighton Hall and the Nature Reservoir.

Warton Crag was the site of a prehistoric hill fort and has commanding views over Morecambe Bay.

The stage ends with a walk along the Promenade to the Stone Jetty. Morecambe is our only visit to a typical Lancashire seaside town, which attracted workers from across the north for their annual holiday.

After the almost three miles on the cycleway we end with a walk past the historic St George’s Quay, Lancaster Priory and the Castle, a fitting end to the Lancashire Way.