Sandscale Haws - Beach and Dune

Start: Sandscale Haws National Trust car park,

(S/E) Exit the car park by the main wooden walkway that goes toward the beach. Continue straight until reaching the beach.

(1) Once on the beach, turn left to walk west towards the entry of the estuary. Keep walking on the beach with the dunes on your left-hand side. Continue walking on the beach to contour the dunes.

There are several small paths that go into the dunes, so you can pick any path to shorten or extend the walk as you wish.

(2) Turn left to walk up the dunes. From here good navigation is needed to rejoin the car park as there are several paths and the dunes are covered with tall grass. Walk in a North direction and then, after a couple of meters, in a East direction to find a main path.

(3) Once on the main path, pass under the fence to go left on the path and keep walking on this path. As the area can be flooded in winter, you will have to zigzag in and out of the path. Keep a North direction until reaching a bend and then move onto a East direction. Keep walking in the East direction to get out of the sand dunes.

(4) Nearly at the end of the dunes, turn left to pass the wooden gate, then keep straight on the path to join the beach path. Then turn right to find the car park (S/E).

Car park: Sandscale Haws National Trust car park, Roanhead, Hawthwaite Lane, near Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, LA14 4QJ. Fees apply to non-members of the National Trust

Terrain: sand beach, and grassy dunes

Level: I have classified this walk as moderate, as it needs some good navigation skills in the sand dunes.

Tides: Be careful with the tides and make sure you have plenty of time before the high tide arrives.

Pushchair friendly: No

Dog friendly: Yes, dogs need to be on a lead, particularly in the dunes.

Find more information to plan your holiday in Cumbria on Our Lake District Escapades website