The Walney Coastal Greenway at Biggar Bank traces the west coast of Walney Island, overlooking shingle beaches, white surf and expansive seas, with views to the Isle of Man on a clear day.

The sky is busy with gulls and the exposed sands and stones are playgrounds to coastal waders, including oyster catchers, cormorants and sandpipers.

This area has long been a favourite of Barrovians. In Victorian times its pavilions, lidos and deck chairs bustled with activity. After its hey day the area was left to dog-walkers and families playing football on the grassy flats, and looking for pebbles on the beaches.

Since the year 2000, with the opening of wide, flat paths accessible to all, and grass rides for horse-riders, its popularity has rocketed once again. This was the first Greenway established in the Furness area and may grow in the future: the Furness Greenways Partnership is exploring opportunities for extending it to the nature reserves at the south and north ends of Walney.

The southern part of this Greenway is designated as a Site of Wildlife Interest because of specialised dune grassland vegetation. In late spring and early summer look out for the tiny flowers of the cranesbill species unique to this area. The whole route is also home to skylarks, which nest in the long grasses and fill the air with song in the summer. As you might expect, the path is exposed to the elements; sometimes it is blessed by sun and clear skies while the rest of the peninsula is in rain, and at other times it is buffeted by strong winds and rain coming in from the sea.

Route

Begin at Sandy Gap 1 next to the beach-side snack bar (currently closed and for sale). Facing the sea, take the path to your left. Once you have set off, there's really no chance of getting lost, and you can go at a pace that suits you. As you approach the Round House (now a restaurant) the path splits, one branch carrying straight along the coast and the other leading to the road and car parks. At the intersection you will find the sandstone plinth that commemorates the opening of the Greenway. It is decorated with motifs designed by local school children.

Beyond the Round House there is a collection of benches 2 that are specially designed to accommodate wheelchairs - great places for a picnic while gazing across the sea to the Isle of Man. From here the path continues south, straight all the way. If there have been strong winds a very small section - about three metres - of the path may get brushed with sand, which adds a challenge for wheelchairs and pushchairs. At Bent Haw, the end of the route, 3 you can see for miles across the headlands of south Walney. If you are retracing your steps back to Sandy Gap you'll be able to enjoy the contrasting views of Barrow's industrial skyline, to the east, the grey-blue ocean stretching to the horizon in the west and the hills of the Lake District to the north.

Information

Distance: 2.5km (one way)

Time: 1-2 hours there and back.

Map Ref: Outdoor Leisure 6 The English Lakes South-western Area GR 176676.

Parking: Car parks at Sandy Gap, at The Round House and at Thorney Nook Lane; each has designated bays for wheelchair users Gradients: Flat.

Refreshments: Seasonal ice cream van midway and several good pubs on the island serving meals throughout the day.

Toilets: Coin-operated toilet booth close to the Round House. Disabled access toilet to the north at Earnse Point.

Public transport: Stagecoach bus 1A runs from the town hall, in Barrow, to Biggar Bank every 20 minutes, Mon-Sat. On Sunday the bus goes to West Shore, elongating the walk with a section that is not easily accessible for wheelchair users.

This route has been developed through the Furness Greenways Partnership which, over the next five years, aims to develop a network of over 60km of multi-user non-vehicular routes throughout the Furness peninsula and create links into the Lake District. The original Greenways and Quiet Roads Initiative was set up by the Countryside Agency to consider providing non-vehicular, off-road routes for walkers, cyclists, disabled users and horse riders, where appropriate.

The partnership, which is primarily funded and managed by Cumbria County Council, is comprised of representatives from the county council, Barrow Borough Council and South Lakeland District Council, as well as other major stakeholders. The partnership undertakes to manage the construction and development of the overall network. Further information about Greenways and Quiet Roads can be found at www.greenways.gov.uk