Furness Haematite Trail

Furness Haematite Trail

Industrial heritage walks across the Furness Peninsula

Supported by Furness PathFix

Visit Furness PathFix

Last updated : June 2026

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Furness Haematite Trail Walking Guides
Trail Introduction
Full 25 Mile Trail – From The Dock Museum
Loop 1 – The Dock Museum to Furness Abbey and return (via How Tun Woods)
Loop 2 – Furness Abbey to Little Urswick and return (via Dalton)
Loop 3 – Little Urswick to Lindal and return (via Dalton)
Loop 4 – Lindal to Ireleth and return
Loop 5 – Askam to Thwaite Flat and return
Loop 6 – Dock Museum to Thwaite Flat and return via Slag Banks
All the Files on Google Drive

Please click/tap on the orange line above to expand the download menu.

Almost twenty years ago a long-distance footpath named the Haematite Trail was devised, the route of which celebrated the historic iron ore mines in the Furness peninsula during the late 1800’s and early 1900’s.

This original route and way marking is out of date and, as part of the work being done by the Furness PathFix Team, the trail is being revisited and developed.

The new route will start and finish at the Dock Museum in Barrow – which has a display about the iron ore mining industry- and will go through Roose, Yarlside, Newton, Little Urswick, Lindal (a wonderful display is in the church), Marton, Ireleth, and onwards to Barrow.

All the stiles and footpaths are currently being surveyed by the team and stiles are being fixed and footpaths cleared. A new way mark (see top of this page) has been made and will appear on the route as each section is completed. In due course the route description will be downloadable to print from the Long-Distance Walkers Association website, the Dock Museum website and other platforms. Ultimately, a gpx track and QR codes will be available.

The new route will be a similar distance to the original at around 20 miles. It will be possible, however, for the route to be walked in sections, as loop routes will be published in due course to make a walk of part of the route into an easily accomplished day walk for all.

Full Trail
Loop Walks

If you wish to be updated about progress and completion please complete the form below, or follow us on Facebook.

We have created a Furness Haematite Trail Facebook profile, and a also a Furness Haematite Trail Group page .

    27/06/2026

    We have been told, and now confirmed, that W&F have put a temporary closure notice on 2 of the paths we use. The start of the Loop 3 return from Lindal up to past Henning Wood to south of Marton, and the end of Section 4 from Rakes Lane past the wind turbines to Ireleth Brow. We will let you know when we know that these are re-opened.

    The Official text reads ..

    NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that to enable Aureos to carry out pylon replacement (“the Works”), Westmorland and Furness Council intends to make an Order the effect of which is to prohibit pedestrians from proceeding along;

    · All of footpath 602043 in the Parish of Lindal & Marton between grid references: 32399, 44767 and 32450, 47590

    · An approx. 1.1km section of footpath 602052 in the parish of Askam & Ireleth between grid references: 32239, 47755 and 32341, 47737.

    There is no suitable alternative route available for pedestrians.

    The Order will come into operation on 13 April 2026 as and when the appropriate traffic signs are displayed and may continue in force for a period of up to six months or until the completion of the works, whichever is sooner.

    19/05/2026

    Loop Route 5 between NT Roanhead and Askam revised to follow the NEW King Charles III English Coast Path rather than the beach (which could be impassable at high tide)

    01/05/2026

    Walk descriptions for Loop Routes 2 & 4 revised.

    05/04/2026

    The Furness Haematite Trail featured in the Lindal & Marton “Aspects” Newsletter

    01/04/2026

    The Furness Haematite Trail listed by the Long Distance Walkers Association

    25/03/2026

    The Furness Haematite Trail and all FHT Loop Routes are now complete!

    25/03/2026

    Uploaded the Full 25 mile trail on this site and Facebook Group

    21/03/2026

    Uploaded Loop Route 6 on this site and Facebook Group

    19/03/2026

    Uploaded Loop Route 5 on this site and Facebook Group

    06/03/2026

    Uploaded Loop Route 4 on this site and Facebook Group

    04/03/2026

    Refresh look of this webpage

    19/02/2026

    Uploaded Loop Route 3 on this site and Facebook Group

    08/01/2026

    Uploaded Loop Route 2 on this site and Facebook Group

    16/12/2025

    Uploaded Loop Route 1 on this site and Facebook Group

    02/12/2025

    Uploaded Draft Trail to Facebook

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