Discover Lancashire’s Ribble Valley with this collection of 15 carefully selected short walks, taking in Ribchester, Longridge, Whalley, Pendle Hill, Clitheroe, Waddington, Downham and the famous Tolkien Trail. Each route is designed to be completed in under three hours (plus one longer challenge walk), making this guidebook the perfect companion for families, casual walkers and anyone keen to explore the area’s rolling countryside, river valleys and historic villages.

• Each of the 15 walks features clear, easy-to-follow Ordnance Survey maps paired with step-by-step route descriptions, so navigation is simple and stress-free – ideal for beginners and newcomers to walking
• Practical details are provided for every walk, covering parking, facilities and route highlights, ensuring every outing is enjoyable and well-organised• Explore the Ribble Valley’s most memorable sites, from the dramatic slopes of Pendle Hill and the Roman heritage of Ribchester to the literary landscapes of the Tolkien Trail and the bustling market town of Clitheroe
• Routes start from picturesque villages and historic towns such as Waddington, Downham, Hurst Green and Bolton-by-Bowland, with suggestions for public transport options where available, so you can make the most of your visit
• Enjoy some of Britain’s best countryside hospitality along the way, with recommendations for outstanding gastropubs and cosy country inns, including the Freemason’s Arms in Wiswell, the Higher Buck in Waddington, and the Rum Fox in Grindleton

Part of Cicerone’s trusted Short Walks series, this Ribble Valley guidebook brings together everything you need for a memorable day out amid Lancashire’s unspoiled landscapes. Whether you’re a local resident, a day-tripper, or planning a relaxing break, this guide is your key to discovering the best of the Ribble Valley at an easy, enjoyable pace.

15 Short Walks in the Ribble Valley – Quick Facts

Location: Ribble Valley, Lancashire, North‑West England, UK (including Ribchester, Clitheroe, Longridge, Downham, Waddington, Whalley, and surrounding areas)
Total walks: 15 selected short walks
Typical duration: Under ~3 hours each (mostly)
Distance per walk: ~3–12 km (2–7.5 miles)
Walk type: Easy day walks with one longer challenge option
Difficulty: Easy to moderate; gentle or rolling terrain suitable for most walkers
Navigation: Clear Ordnance Survey maps and route descriptions included
Highlights: Pendle Hill, Ribchester Roman Museum, Clitheroe Castle, Tolkien Trail, Dean Clough Reservoir, Waddington, Downham, Whalley Abbey, Longridge Fell, and celebrated local gastropubs
Best season: Walkable all year round (weather and conditions permitting

Author Highlight

"The Ribble Valley is a genuine walker’s paradise. This unspoiled corner of rural East Lancashire has it all: gentle rolling countryside, wooded river valleys and some more challenging hill walks for those with an appetite for adventure. These stunning landscapes are criss-crossed with footpaths and bridleways and there’s a huge selection of circular walks – ranging from riverside rambles and gentle afternoon ambles through scenic villages, to challenging mini-mountains like famous Pendle Hill, offering stunning views for the more energetically inclined." 

- Mark Sutcliffe, author of 15 Short Walks in the Ribble Valley

The walks

Walk 1 Roman Ribchester

Walk 2 Longridge Fell

Walk 3 Dinckley and Marles Wood

Walk 4 The Tolkien Trail

Walk 5  Dean Clough Reservoir

Walk 6 Spring Wood and Whalley Nab

Walk 7 Wiswell Moor

Walk 8 The Easy Way up Pendle

Walk 9  Clitheroe Castle and the River Ribble

Walk 10  Waddington Village Circular

Walk 11 Waddington and Bashall Eaves from Edisford

Walk 12 The Foothills of Pendle from Downham

Walk 13 Grindleton Fell and the Pinewoods

Walk 14  Sawley and Bolton-by-Bowland

Walk 15 Sawley to Clitheroe along the Ribble Way 
 

Seasons

Most of these walks can be safely completed all year round, but some are trickier in winter. We’d recommend late spring or early autumn as the best times to visit.

Centres

Clitheroe, Whalley, Longridge, Ribchester, Waddington, Downham, Grindleton, Bolton-by-Bowland, Langho, Wiswell, Hurst Green, Sawley

Difficulty

All of the routes in this guidebook are under 11km in distance and are accessible to anyone with a reasonable level of fitness. Some of the hillier routes involve some steep climbs and descents, but all of the walks should take no longer than four hours of steady walking.

Must See

Explore Clitheroe Castle, enjoy a gentle ramble beside the River Ribble, find Roman remains in Ribchester, follow in the footsteps of Hobbits on the Tolkien Trail, hike to the summit of mighty Pendle Hill and discover welcoming country inns and cosy cafes that are just perfect for a post-walk treat.

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