Haematite Trail
A 19-mile walk on the Furness Peninsula of Cumbria exploring the history of iron and mineral mining in the region. With map, statistics, and GPX route file.
Statistics and Files
Grid Ref: SD 202 699
Distance: 19 miles (31 km)
Time: 6–9 hours
Duration: 1–2 days
Ordnance Survey Explorer Map (1:25,000):
OL6 The English Lakes – South Western Area
Summary
The Haematite Trail is a circular walk on the Furness Peninsula in south-west Cumbria. It was devised to explore some of the remains of the iron mining industry that brought about the industrial expansion of Furness and the subsequent emergence of the region’s premier town, Barrow-in-Furness. In its heyday, the Furness mining industry was a bustling hive of activity providing some of the richest iron ore worked in Britain. From the start in the town, the Haematite Trail passes Furness Abbey, Newton, Stainton with Adgarley, Little Urswick, Lindal-in-Furness, Marton, and Askam-in-Furness before concluding with a coastal walk past North Walney National Nature Reserve back to Barrow-in-Furness.