Walk No.40
Warton Crag and Leighton Moss from Crag Foot
Date: 5th July 2007 Distance: 8.0 miles Ascent: 1020 feet Time: 3h 30m
Weather: Cloudy and dull
Route: We left the car at Crag Foot and took the lane up to Warton Crag
We had left the car near here. This is all that remains of the old pump house that used to keep Leighton Moss drained. From here we took a minor road for a few hundred yards before turning left onto a bridleway that runs over Warton Crag but not to the summit.
Now we are on the bridleway which was apart from a few places surprisingly quite dry. This bridleway was followed for approx half a mile before taking a path on the right to the summit.
Information board where we left the bridleway
We then followed this path to the summit of Warton Crag. It is only just over 500' high but on a good day gives good views around Morecambe Bay
Warton Crag summit
Looking down Morecambe Bay towards Morecambe. The two higher buildings just right of centre are the Nuclear Power Stations at Heysham. It was on these sands that 23 Chinese cockle pickers lost there lifes in February 2004
From Warton Crag we descended to pick up a minor road which took us towards Leighton Hall. On the way we passed this old Limestone Kiln.
Looking down to Leighton Hall. Our path would take us down to the right hand side of the hall to pick up a track towards Leighton Moss.
Looking towards Leighton Moss. It is the largest remaining reed bed in NW England and designated a SSSI. It is protected as a bird reserve by the RSPB.
The path or causeway running across Leighton Moss.
Leighton Moss
After having a nice cuppa in the RSPB visitor centre at Leighton Moss we had another spell on minor roads before reaching the Jack Scout nature reserve.
Anothe Limestone Kiln at Jack Scout
Walking through the Jack Scout reserve
Edith on a made to last seat at Jack Scout
When the tide comes in here it moves faster than a man can walk. The channels also move especially after heavy rainfall. On top of that there are quicksands about so it's best to be carefull.
From Jack Scout we took the shore path past Jenny Brown's point back to Crag Foot. On the way we passed the remains of this Copper smelting mill on the shoreline.
The last leg took us along this embankment back to where we had left the car.
Next Walk: 8th July 2007 -- Carrock Fell and High Pike from Stone Ends
Last Walk: 2nd July 2007 -- Arnside Knott from Eaves Wood