Cumbria’s Hidden Coast Gets a 34-Mile Walking Route
A new section of the King Charles III England Coast Path has opened around Cumbria’s Furness Peninsula, creating continuous access along coastline that was previously difficult or impossible to follow on foot. The opening gives visitors another way to explore this quieter part of north-west England, away from the better-known Lake District trails, with estuary scenery, small coastal communities and industrial landscapes now connected by one marked walking corridor.
Key Details for the New Route
- Route: Foxfield to Greenodd
- National Trail: King Charles III England Coast Path, planned as a 2,700-mile route around the English coast
- Distance: 34 miles
- Opened: 23 July 2026
- Location: Furness Peninsula, Cumbria
- Wider project: Gretna to Silverdale
The path passes Kirkby-in-Furness, Askam-in-Furness, Barrow-in-Furness, Bardsea and Ulverston before reaching the Leven Estuary. Highlights include views across Morecambe Bay, sand dunes, wildlife habitats, the end of Ulverston Canal and visible traces of the area’s industrial past. Existing rights of way have been joined with permissive paths and newly created access, making the coastline easier to navigate for those unfamiliar with the area.
Visitors do not need to complete the full distance in one trip. Individual sections can be used for day walks, while the towns and villages along the way make longer itineraries easier to organise. Historic streets, canal-side paths, maritime heritage and birdwatching spots add variety, so the experience is not limited to one continuous long-distance hike or a single type of landscape.
More than 300 signs and waymark posts have been installed, alongside bridges, gates, steps, fencing and improved surfaces. These additions make the trail clearer, but they do not remove the risks around the bay. Fast-moving tides and quicksand can make the sands and saltmarshes dangerous, so hikers should remain on the official path, check local guidance and avoid unguided crossings.