Start: Aldcliffe Road, Lancaster. From the M6 Junction 33 follow the A6 into the city. At the Pointer roundabout take the exit for the centre. At the next set of traffic lights turn left into Aldcliffe Road. Pass under the railway and keep ahead until you reach a lay by on the left, close to the canal.
Factfile: Distance: 14k 8 ½ m
               Time: 3-4 hours
              Summary: Easy-peasy. Apart from one low hill between the canal and the coast this walk is about as flat as they come. You may encounter patches of mud after wet weather.
               Map: OS Explorer 296 Lancaster, Morecambe & Fleetwood

 Map by kind permission of the Blackpool Gazette
 

Directions: Join the tow path of the Lancaster Canal and keep ahead with the water on your left. Constructed at the close of the 18th century its engineer John Rennie designed it to follow the contours of the land thereby reducing the need for locks. Between Preston and Tewitfield remain the longest stretch of lock-free waterway in the country - 41 miles. This enabled an "express" packet boat service to be developed which could cover the 57 miles between Preston and Kendal in seven hours. After 200m the canal and road part company.

 

After passing beneath Ashton Road Bridge  the canal enters a deep cutting.

 

 Stay on the canal for over 5k/3miles.

As you approach Galgate across the canal look for a stile in the hedge on the right. (Opposite the first properties in the village.)

 

Across the stile the footpath leads to the edge of Forerigg Wood. Bear right and after 150m turn left and enter the wood over a stile.

After 100m exit the wood by another stile. Keep ahead over a low hill dropping down to the field corner to the right.

 Cross a metal stile and follow the path to a wooden stile with electricity pylons a short distance ahead.

 Continue with the hedge on your right and after passing below the pylons go through a gate on your right and continue with the hedge on your left.

 The track takes you down to Parkside Farm.

 Keep ahead through the buildings following the waymark signs and after crossing a stone stile

continue with a hedge on your right. The path soon passes Crow Wood on your right where it negotiates a stone squeeze stile

and then crosses a footbridge.

Now with the hedge on your left pass Webster's Farm to arrive at a lane.

Turn right. When you reach the A588 turn left and then right for Conder Green. If refreshment is required the old coaching inn, the Stork, will more than meet your needs. It is a lovely old pub.
 

Pass the Stork on your right and turn right onto the next lane leading to a picnic site.

Soon after this you join the Lancashire Coastal Way which at this point makes use of an old railway - long disused - that formerly connected Lancaster with Glasson Dock.

 From a walking perspective this makes it flat.

Soon on your left you are rewarded with wide views of the River Lune as it nears its estuary. Keep on the Coastal Way for 5k/3m. After passing below a double set of pylons that bestride the river the route passes close to sewage works at Stodday.  10 minutes after this turn right onto a footpath that crosses fields to Aldcliffe. 

 The path is well marked  making use of duckboards immediately over  a stile. Keep ahead and then turn left as you enter the adjoining field.

With a hedge on your left continue over a stile and then turn left into hedged lane. This leads to the village of Aldcliffe.

As you reach Aldcliffe turn right into Aldcliffe Hall Lane

and then left into Aldcliffe Road. The road drops down to the canal close to your starting point.