Walking in Lancashire

40 walks throughout the county including the Forest of Bowland and Ribble Valley

By Mark Sutcliffe

Guidebook of 40 walks exploring the dales, moors, uplands and coasts of Lancashire, including Morecambe Bay, the Forest of Bowland, Ribble Valley and the West Pennine Moors. With routes for all seasons of the year and for a variety of abilities, these walks are within easy reach of Preston, Blackburn, Burnley, Lancaster and Clitheroe.

Seasons

Most of these walks can be completed all year round. Some higher level routes are challenging in winter, while lower level routes may become waterlogged after heavy rain.

Centres

Walks in the Forest of Bowland, Ribble Valley and West Pennine Moors are all accessible from nearby towns and cities including Preston, Blackburn, Burnley, Chorley, Lancaster and Clitheroe.

Difficulty

Most of these walks are suitable for any walker with a reasonable level of fitness. Higher level routes that climb above 2,000ft and can be very challenging in winter conditions and require appropriate clothing and footwear, good navigational skills, and basic knowledge of mountain safety.

Must See

Ancient woodland and gritstone moors, historic Pendle and Pendle Hill, RSPB reserve at Leighton Moss, Neolithic Bleasdale Circle, Roman museum at Ribchester, tercet posts on the Lancashire Witches Way, Andy Goldsworthy's sculptures on Clougha Pike, the Inn at Whitewell, Jubilee Tower, the Abbey Lighthouse and Lancashire coast, Morecambe Bay, Gragareth.
ISBN
9781786310033
Availability
Published
Published
1 Jul 2021
Reprinted
20 Mar 2023
Edition
First
Pages
176
Size
17.20 x 11.60 x 1.10cm
Weight
210g
Overview
Offering 40 day walks in Lancashire, this guidebook explores the often-overlooked regions of Forest of Bowland, Ribble Valley and West Pennine Moors. With walks ranging from low-level valley trails to higher hill routes, this guidebook offers plenty of year-round walking options for active families and committed hikers alike. The walks are accessible from a range of nearby villages, towns and cities including Preston, Blackburn, Burnley, Chorley, Lancaster and Clitheroe.

Lancashire showcases some of the most varied walking in the UK, featuring the wide expanse of Morecambe Bay, the Forest of Bowland AONB and limestone fringes of the Yorkshire Dales. These walks travel along green valleys, gritstone moors and untamed hillsides to explore remnants of Lancashire's rich history: The War of the Roses, the Pendle witch trials and the industrial heritage of the West Pennine Moors.

Providing detailed route description and clear OS mapping for all 40 walks, this guidebook includes an introduction full of information about the area including accommodation, transport and access. The appendices contain a route summary table to help you plan your days out, while each walk offers notes on wildlife, history, geology and available refreshments.
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Mark Sutcliffe

An experienced outdoor writer and editor, Mark Sutcliffe is a former editor of Country Walking and Lakeland Walker magazines and an occasional contributor to some of the UK’s leading outdoor magazines – including Countryfile, Landscape and Trail. Mark has explored extensively in the UK and Europe on foot and has in-depth knowledge of the Forest of Bowland, where he spends much of his spare time hiking, bird watching and taking pictures. He completed the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge in 2016, raising funds for dementia research.
 

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