Warton Crag Walk
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 Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Warton Crag Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Warton Crag OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Warton Crag Open Street Map 
- 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.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
Limestone boulders on the crag known as The Three Brothers
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. 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. This lovely car park at the bottom of the Crag is currently home to nesting peregrine falcons and little owls.
Small Quarry Car park on the edge of Warton, the start to many an ascent of Warton Crag
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 the crag on a bright early spring day
Scar Close in the snow.