The Fairy Steps by munki-boy

Fairy Steps

Fairy Steps is an interesting little place hidden away in a middle of the woods, just south of Milnthorpe in Cumbria.

The legend is that fairies used the steps to escape from a witches’ cauldron.

A climb up through the delightful limestone woodland will eventually, after a steady ascent, bring you to a wall of limestone. Just before this, bear left and then go round to the right to climb the narrow crevice that is Fairy Steps. It is a narrow squeeze. About a foot wide at one point! It is definitely worth the squeeze up the steps, as the view at the top is superb!

Folk-lore has it that if you can climb the steps without touching the sides you will see a fairy!

The path over Fairy Steps used to be known locally as the ‘Coffin Route’, as Arnside Parish had to carry their deceased to consecrated ground in Beetham. Several of the iron rings which ropes were threaded through, to pull the coffins up the rock face, are still visible today.

Fairy Steps is in Arnside & Silverdale AONB, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Created: 27  November  2016  Edited: 29  November  2023

Fairy Steps

Mist, Mines and Ruins

Own label and private label building products
We produce, brand and supply for some of the biggest names in the industry. Read more...

The Fairy Steps map

Fairy Steps UK Map