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Duddon Bridge and the Swinside Stone Circle

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Our view

"Discover Swinside Stone Circle hiding in a hollow above the Duddon."

Walk directions

The Duddon Iron Furnace is on the left of the Corney Fell road, soon after the turning from Duddon Bridge. A public bridleway sign points up a track beside the ruins. By the last building, turn left up a woodland path marked by a low bridleway sign.

Cross a narrow access road and continue uphill. Turn right at a waymarked junction. The path is narrow and steep, but clear enough. Watch for a gate in a wall above on the left. Go through and follow a deep, narrow path flanked by bracken, crossing a low gap in the hills.

Meeting another track, bear right, and soon reach a gate. Go through and follow a walled track until it’s crossed by a tall wall; go through the gate and turn left. Follow a path roughly parallel to the wall and pass an old quarry. Traverse above a farm (Thwaite Yeat), keeping on a level course, then bear left, following traces of an old track, and ascend a moorland slope to a signpost at a road junction.

Turn left down a narrow road signposted ‘Millom’, and then turn right along a farm track. Follow this for 0.5 miles (800m) and go through a gate marked ‘Fenwick’. Follow the track almost to the farm, then turn left at a public footpath sign. Cross three stiles as the path descends through fields to Black Beck.

Cross a footbridge and follow a vague path slanting up and left. Join a track near Swinside farm. Pass to the right of the buildings, then turn left to join and follow the access track downhill. Swinside Stone Circle is in a field on the left.

Walk down the access road, then bear right along a tarmac road to some cottages. Just before them is a stile and public footpath signpost; a field path and another stile lead to Black Beck. Go downstream to stepping stones leading to Beck Bank Farm. Follow waymarks through the farmyard and out to a road. (If the stones are uncrossable, retrace your steps to the cottages and turn left down the road, through Broadgate, to a T-junction. Turn left along the road past old mill buildings to rejoin the route at Point 7.)

Turn left along the road and left again along the A595. On a bend are two farm roads close together. Take the second one (by the postbox) to Ash House. Go straight and level through the garden to an iron gate. Go up to a stile, then right along a narrow path by a wall. Join a green track and continue into woods. Walk uphill, then down to reach a marker post at a junction.

Turn right and weave downhill, then keep left on a wider track. Cross a stream to meet the path used earlier. Descend this to retrace your steps to the Duddon Iron Furnace.

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Location

Nearest postcode:

Additional information

Terrain - Good paths (some can be muddy), farm roads, several stiles

Landscape - Wooded slopes, mostly rough pasture surrounded by hills

Dog friendliness - On lead where sheep graze and on roads

Parking - Parking space at Duddon Iron Furnace, near Duddon Bridge, or roadside spaces just to the north

Toilets en route - None on route

Walks in Cumbria Dog-friendly walks in Cumbria

About the walk

TThis is a peaceful walk in one of the quietest corners of the Lake District. It stretches from a tidal estuary to the flanks of the high fells, taking in old coppice woodlands and pastures where sheep and cattle are grazed. Blast furnaces and charcoal burners once belched smoke into the clean...

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About the area

Cumbria's rugged yet beautiful landscape is best known for the Lake District National Park that sits within its boundaries. It’s famous for Lake Windermere, England’s largest lake, and Derwent Water, ‘Queen of the English Lakes', but other lesser-known areas in the south, such as the Lune Valley and the coastal towns, are secret gems of wide cobbled streets and rolling hills.

Nearby places to stay

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Route details

Difficulty:

Medium

Gradient:

Moderate

Distance:

6.6 miles (10.5kms)

Ascent:

1050ft (320m)

If you like this walk, you can try more routes in the area.

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Duddon Bridge and the Swinside Stone Circle

Recommended by

Our view

"Discover Swinside Stone Circle hiding in a hollow above the Duddon."

Walk details

Difficulty:

Medium

Gradient:

Moderate

Distance:

6.6 miles (10.5kms)

Ascent:

1050ft (320m)

Walk directions

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Turn right and weave downhill, then keep left on a wider track. Cross a stream to meet the path used earlier. Descend this to retrace your steps to the Duddon Iron Furnace.

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Location

Starting point

Nearest postcode:

Additional information

Terrain - Good paths (some can be muddy), farm roads, several stiles

Landscape - Wooded slopes, mostly rough pasture surrounded by hills

Dog friendliness - On lead where sheep graze and on roads

Parking - Parking space at Duddon Iron Furnace, near Duddon Bridge, or roadside spaces just to the north

Toilets en route - None on route

Walks in Cumbria Dog-friendly walks in Cumbria

About the walk

Been on this walk?

Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.

Find out more

Walking in Safety

Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.

Learn more

Get an AA guide

Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.

Learn more

Been on this walk?

Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.

Find out more

Walking in Safety

Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.

Learn more

Get an AA guide

Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.

Learn more

About the area

Cumbria

Nearby places to stay

View all (8)

Duddon Bridge and the Swinside Stone Circle

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Duddon Bridge and the Swinside Stone Circle

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