Piel Island is a small, 50-acre (20-hectare) island situated in Morecambe Bay, off the Furness Peninsula in Cumbria, England. This unique coastal environment features grass paths, a pebble beach, and expansive views across the bay, making it suitable for various outdoor pursuits. While the island itself offers a tranquil setting, its connection via Roa Island to the mainland provides access to a wider network of routes for several sports like road cycling, jogging, hiking, touring cycling, and more.
104
Routes
4.4
(76)
Average rating
1725
People visited

4.8
(5)
25
riders
44.0km
02:43
360m
360m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.7
(9)
61
riders
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.0
(2)
32
riders
22.0km
01:18
80m
80m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

19
riders
32.3km
02:07
300m
300m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(4)
97
hikers
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.0
(2)
39
hikers
14.8km
03:47
60m
60m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(2)
45
hikers
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.0
(2)
39
hikers
10.3km
02:37
20m
20m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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82
runners
14.2km
01:28
40m
40m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

70
runners
5.74km
00:36
20m
20m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

61
runners
6.24km
00:39
40m
40m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

30
runners
9.91km
01:02
60m
60m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(2)
71
riders
51.8km
02:30
530m
530m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

50
riders
26.4km
01:27
220m
210m
Moderate road ride. Great for any fitness level. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

4.9
(7)
51
riders
30.2km
01:32
250m
250m
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5.0
(1)
50
riders
30.7km
01:42
270m
270m
Moderate road ride. Great for any fitness level. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
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5.0
(2)
9
riders
45.5km
02:33
330m
330m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

3.0
(1)
8
riders
17.5km
00:56
80m
80m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(3)
8
riders
15.7km
00:52
50m
50m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.

8
riders
26.7km
01:25
90m
90m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Piel Island and its surrounding area offer opportunities for various outdoor activities. These include hiking, jogging, road cycling, touring cycling, and mountain biking. The island itself is suitable for leisurely walks and jogging, while the mainland connection provides access to extensive cycling routes.
Piel Island offers paths for leisurely walks and an "Islandeering route" to circumnavigate the coast. For more extensive options, komoot provides guides such as Hiking around Piel Island and Easy hikes around Piel Island, which detail trails showcasing natural features and historical sites.
Yes, the connection via ferry to Roa Island and then to the mainland opens up numerous road cycling opportunities. Various routes of different skill levels exist in the wider Barrow-in-Furness area. Komoot offers a guide specifically for Road Cycling Routes around Piel Island.
While Piel Island itself is small, the surrounding mainland area offers mountain biking opportunities. Komoot provides a dedicated guide for MTB Trails around Piel Island. These routes are typically found on the mainland, accessible from Roa Island.
The area around Piel Island, accessible from the mainland, provides scenic touring cycling routes. These routes often follow mostly paved surfaces, including sections of the "Bay Cycle Way." A comprehensive guide for Cycling around Piel Island is available on komoot.
Piel Island is suitable for leisurely jogging and running along its grass paths and beach. For more structured running options, the mainland connection offers additional trails. Komoot features a guide for Running Trails around Piel Island.
Piel Island features the 14th-century ruin of Piel Castle, managed by English Heritage. Natural features include a pebble beach, coastal views across Morecambe Bay, and a marsh pond. The island is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest, attracting various seabirds and offering views of a seal colony on Walney Island.
Piel Island is primarily accessible by a small passenger ferry from Roa Island, which operates seasonally from approximately April to November. Roa Island is connected to the mainland by a causeway, allowing access by car or bicycle. Guided walks across the sands from Walney Island are possible at low tide, but require local guidance for safety.
Piel Island offers leisurely walks, beachcombing, and exploration of Piel Castle, which are suitable for families. The island's manageable size makes it easy to explore on foot. The surrounding mainland also provides family-friendly cycling routes.
The "King of Piel" is a ceremonial role held by the landlord of The Ship Inn, the island's only pub. This tradition dates back to the 18th century, with new "Kings" crowned in a jovial ceremony. Visitors can also become "Knights of Piel" by buying a round of drinks for those present.
Piel Island is a popular destination among komoot users, with more than 5,000 visitors sharing their experiences. Routes in the region have an average rating of 4.36 out of 5 stars. This indicates a high level of satisfaction with the outdoor activities available.
Komoot offers several guides for outdoor activities around Piel Island. These include guides for Road Cycling, Running, Hiking, Touring Cycling, and MTB Trails.
The official website for The Ship Inn, which is central to the island's visitor experience, is pielisland.co.uk. This site provides information relevant to visiting the island.
Piel Island's only pub, The Ship Inn, offers a historic place for refreshment and also provides camping facilities. It serves as a central point for visitors seeking food and drink on the island.

