Furness Abbey Ruins – Furness Abbey loop from Askam

Furness Abbey Ruins – Furness Abbey loop from Askam

Moderate

riders

Furness Abbey Ruins – Furness Abbey loop from Askam

01:27

26.7km

360m

Road cycling

Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: August 22, 2026

Tips

Includes a segment in which cycling is not permitted

After 10.8 km for 52 m

Waypoints

Start point

Train Station

Get Directions

1.76 km

Askam Brickworks Road Crossing

Highlight • Rest Area

This is a exceptionally fast piece of road used by all kinds of traffic from regular commuter traffic to Joi Boiz & parcel vans on a tear to 44 tonne Ar-tics heading up the west coast to Workington; to tourists heading for Ravenglass and Muncaster. It is an arterial route to get to the A595 & must be treated like a rail track crossing - use your hearing as well as your eyes and always do one final look and listen.

Tip by

7.38 km

Archaeological Site

7.94 km

Furness Abbey Ruins

Highlight • Monument

Once second only to Fountains Abbey in Yorkshire in terms of wealth and power, Furness Abbey was a Cistercian monastery of great importance. Today, it is an impressive sandstone ruin and an evocative vestige of former glory.

The site contains a number of Grade I-listed buildings and is a Scheduled Monument. Built in 1123, it is located in the Vale of Nightshade to the south of Dalton. It was passed to the Cistercians in 1147.

During their time here, the Cistercians built the nearby Piel Castle on Piel Island to oversee trade between the Furness Peninsula and another of their strongholds: the Isle of Man. On the orders of Henry VIII, the abbey was destroyed 1537.

Tip by

7.98 km

Furness Abbey

Highlight • Religious Site

Founded by Stephen, King of England, Furness went on to become England’s second richest Cistercian abbey. Its red sandstone ruins include the tower and recently conserved east end of the great church; the chapter house; and almost the entire cloister east range.

The ruins of Furness Abbey sit next to a picturesque wooded valley — the perfect spot fot a walk.

Tip by

8.13 km

Furness Abbey Viewpoint

Highlight • Viewpoint

You get a great view of the Abbey from the road side, so if you're just cycling by then stop and take it in. I'd always recommend heading inside though, to really immerse yourself in the history of the place.

Tip by

17.9 km

View of the Cumbrian Countryside

Highlight • Viewpoint

save energy the climbs are hard

Tip by

21.5 km

Dalton-in-Furness

Highlight • Settlement

Dalton was once the administrative centre of the Furness Peninsula and is still a vibrant town today. There are a good number of accommodation options in the town, as well as places to eat.

It is a good base for exploring the spectacular South Lakes and the beautiful Leven, Kent and Duddon Estuaries. It is on the Furness railway line, with connections to Barrow, Ulverston, Grange-over-Sands and Lancaster.

Tip by

23.8 km