This walk is part of the River Lune Millennium Park , and provides a pleasant, easy walk with spectacular views across the Lune Valley with a backdrop of the Three Peaks in the distance. Although the walk described here is about three miles long, there is an abundance of footpaths in the area and you can vary this route to range from a walk of a mile or so, up to a more challenging march upstream on the north bank of the river through the ancient woodlands of Burton wood and on to Kirby Lonsdale following the Lune Valley Ramble;  in the other direction, a long walk will take you into Lancaster from where you can amble around the town or carry on via the 'Lancashire Coastal Way' to the Irish Sea coast. You can also choose terrains from that of a short all-weather stroll along the tarmacced portion of the old railway, past Caton to Bull Beck and back, to walks along the riverside which can get quite muddy and where strong boots are advised

Click on this image to order the map for this walk direct from the Ordnance Survey

Distance - 6.14 kilometres.
Terrain - part tarmac path and part farmland footpaths which can get quite muddy underfoot, especially near the river which is prone to flooding in some places
Map - Outdoor Leisure 41 - Trough of Bowland
Toilets - on carpark and at Bull Beck.
Refreshments - perhaps this should be called the 'teapot' or 'pintpot' walk, as there are so many eating and watering stops nearby! The most notable of these are:-
Woodies - mobile catering on the car park - bacon butties in the gourmet class!
Bull Beck - more mobile catering along the railway path.
Caton - tea shop and pubs along the main road.
Brookhouse - turn right at the mini roundabout in Caton, 1 mile further on you will be outside the Black Bull pub; wonderful food in giant helpings!

1. Park on Crook O' Lune park; fabulous views across valley of the Lune to the east with the Three peaks in distance. On eastern side of carpark notice the carved 'picture by Colin Wilbourn (one of three along the Millennium walk) and the unusual, detailed map standing up like a statue near this 'picture'. As well as a favoured picnic spot, this is a popular place for landscape artists, the most famous being JMW Turner.
   Exit the park on the side nearest the main road, down some steps to a tarmac path - this is the route of the Morecambe to Leeds railway which was closed in the 1960's and later opened up as a bridleway/cycleway from Salt Ayre in Lancaster to Bull Beck near Caton, stretching some 15 Kilometres along the banks of the Lune.
   Turn left on this path (east) and start walking across the old bridge over the river (stunning views of the Lune) and carry on past the village of Caton on your right.
2. Just past the village the way crosses Artle Beck and at the side of the way near here, Colin Wilbourn chose to place his third carved picture which is a fantasy based on what 'might be' showing a ladder reaching to the moon, and two abandoned bicycles! (Where is Colin Wilbourne's picture Number1? It's by Halton Station, back along the disused railway heading towards Lancaster)
3. Carry on a while until you come to a lane crossing the way at right angles; take the left turn, marked 'footpath', immediately come to a gate with a stile to its left, over the stile and onwards, coming to banks of the Lune on your right hand side.
4. (if you carried straight on along the tarmac stretch then you would quickly come to the Bull Beck car park on your right, across a fairly busy road; the tarmac stretch soon fizzles out where the Lune has eroded the footpath)
   Follow the footpath along the banks of the Lune, taking care not to become dizzy as it first meanders to the right and then turns 180 degrees to the left heading back towards the carpark in the distance. As you walk through the meadows towards the carpark notice the wood on the steep north bank of the valley; this is Burton Wood. The ironworks at Aughton and Halton once used charcoal from this wood for their work and the oak bark was in demand for leather tanning. It is now a nature reserve.
   As you walk along this tranquil part of countryside notice the local flora and fauna. The steep river banks are home to Sand Martins and some Kingfishers whilst Oyster Catchers and Redshanks can be seen pursuing the small insects to be found on the gravel shores of the other side. The river is home to a number of game fish, notably Salmon which can often be seen leaping for flies or traversing the weir nearby.
5. Walk alongside the river until you come to a large bridge which takes four massive water pipes across the Lune; at this point you can carry on with the river on your right hand side, back to the starting point or, preferably, take the path over the bridge, turn left and walk along the edge of Burton Wood which is spectacular in springtime, being coated with bluebells and edged with white garlic flowers.
   Walk back to Crook O'Lune with the river on your left then enjoy a cuppa and bacon buttie at Woodies or take the car to one of the other watering places nearby.
   
   This walk was submitted by Mac McLean, to whom I am eternally grateful. It is also available for printing from the downloads page
    

Get more detailed printable routes from the download page

Any comments or queries - have your say in the forum