The day routes described in this guidebook lie largely within the Arnside and Silverdale area which encompasses almost the whole of the land to the west of the A6 between Warton and Milnthorpe. The walks offer all the attractions of the coast, woodland, pasture and hill that make the area so special, and enables visitors to develop a real appreciation of the AONB.

Most of the day walks are on well-signed, well trodden paths suitable for all the family.  The terrain varies from rocky and rugged shorelines to slippery limestone pavements and woodland paths. Scrambling along the rocky shore has become more difficult since the demise of the salt marsh and care needs to be taken to heed the incoming tide. There are safe tide options in this guidebook.

Walking in the Silverdale and Arnside area can be enjoyed throughout the year. Springtime, with its abundant flowers, and the colourful displays at autumn are especially rewarding. The walks are short, mostly between three and eight miles. Although they may occupy only an afternoon or a short day, they can easily be linked into longer walks, and all the routes here are of sufficient length to feel that you have accomplished something. Times are based on a moderate pace without taking into account any major halts. Fast walkers could easily link two walks in a day.

The walks are packed with interest and inevitably take longer than their length implies. The network of paths enables walks to be shortened or lengthened at will.