National Landscapes in North West England

National Landscapes, formerly Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs), are areas designated for their significant landscape value. This page aggregates komoot's Adventure Guides for three such areas in North West England: Forest Of Bowland Aonb, Arnside And Silverdale Aonb, and Solway Coast Aonb. These landscapes are protected to conserve and enhance their natural beauty.

There are four designated National Landscapes in North West England. This collection features guides for three of them, containing over 470 routes shared by the komoot community. The featured landscapes are the Forest of Bowland, Arnside & Silverdale, and the Solway Coast.

The primary activities are hiking, road cycling, and mountain biking. Across the three featured landscapes, there are more than 470 documented routes. Visitors can also find trails for jogging and gravel biking.

The Forest Of Bowland Aonb is characterized by expansive gritstone fells, heather moorland, and river valleys. It is a significant area for its unspoiled landscapes and rare birds. The area offers nearly 90 hiking trails and numerous routes for cycling and mountain biking.

The Arnside And Silverdale Aonb features a mix of limestone hills, ancient woodlands, and coastal salt marshes with views over Morecambe Bay. This landscape provides varied terrain for its 65 hiking trails and is also popular for road cycling, with nearly 30 distinct routes.

The Solway Coast Aonb is defined by its extensive coastal paths along the Solway Firth in northern Cumbria. Its landscape includes sandy beaches, salt marshes, and peat bogs, offering a habitat for migratory birds. The relatively flat terrain is well-suited for walking and cycling.

Yes, there are over 200 hiking trails across the three featured National Landscapes. The Forest Of Bowland Aonb has the most with nearly 90 hiking routes, while Arnside & Silverdale offers 65 and the Solway Coast has 55.

The Forest of Bowland offers diverse cycling opportunities. There are approximately 29 road cycling routes exploring its quiet lanes and scenic valleys. For off-road cyclists, there are around 20 mountain bike trails through its moorlands and forests.

Yes, routes suitable for beginners and families can be found within these landscapes. The Solway Coast's flat coastal paths offer gentle walking options. The Forest of Bowland and Arnside & Silverdale also contain numerous well-marked footpaths through woodlands and valleys that are suitable for a range of abilities.

National Landscapes are large, nationally significant areas protected for their scenic beauty, covering a mix of public and private land where people live and work. Nature Reserves are typically smaller, more focused sites managed specifically for wildlife conservation and scientific research, often located within larger designated landscapes.