Arnside Knott Circular
Lancashire
Arnside Knott is a modest limestone hill above Morecambe Bay that punches well above its height. The 4.8 km circular climbs through mixed woodland thick with yew, juniper and hazel before emerging onto open limestone grassland and bare rock outcrops at the summit, where the view takes in the full sweep of the bay, the Kent estuary and the southern fells of the Lake District beyond. The limestone pavement on the upper slopes gives the terrain a distinctive character, with exposed clints and grykes breaking up the grass. The 142 m of ascent is short but direct, and the limestone can be slippery after rain.
Dogs respond well to this dog friendly walk thanks to the variety packed into a short distance. The lower woodland is dense and sheltered with deep leaf litter and constant scent, while the open summit gives a complete change of character with wind, space and sky. Off-lead walking is possible through much of the woodland, though some livestock grazing on the lower slopes means leads are advisable on the approach sections. The limestone underfoot is rough on pads in places, so dogs with sensitive feet may need monitoring. The compact length makes this a good option for a focused outing rather than a full day, and the nearby village of Arnside has dog-welcoming pubs for afterwards.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 4.8 km (3.0 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 1 hr 30 min
- Walk Type
- Peak, Woodland, Lake
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Low
- Livestock Risk
- Moderate
- Facilities
- Toilets, Pubs in Arnside
- Parking
- Red Hills Road car park in Arnside
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Arnside Knott Circular dog friendly?
Arnside Knott Circular is a great choice for dogs and earns a solid 8/10 for dog friendliness on our directory. The variety packed into this short 4.8 km route works well for dogs , sheltered woodland with rich scent in the lower sections gives way to open, breezy limestone grassland at the summit. The nearby village of Arnside also has dog-welcoming pubs, making it easy to round off the walk properly.
Can dogs be off lead at Arnside Knott Circular?
Off-lead walking is possible through much of the lower woodland, where the dense, sheltered terrain gives dogs plenty to explore. However, there is some livestock grazing on the lower slopes, so leads are advisable on the approach sections of the route. As always, use your judgement based on what you encounter on the day.
What should I know before visiting Arnside Knott Circular with my dog?
The limestone underfoot on the upper slopes can be rough on paws, so if your dog has sensitive feet it's worth keeping an eye on them as you near the summit. The 142 m ascent is short but fairly direct, and the limestone can become slippery after rain, so footing requires a little care for both dogs and walkers. Parking is available at the Red Hills Road car park in Arnside, and there are public toilets nearby along with pubs in the village for afterwards.
What’s Nearby?
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