Experience the wild, open landscapes of the West Pennine Moors, a rugged and atmospheric region of rolling hills, heather-clad moorland, deep reservoirs, and peaceful valleys nestled between Manchester and the Ribble Valley. This distinctive area offers walkers a blend of remote upland terrain and accessible countryside, with dramatic views and a wealth of natural and industrial heritage to discover.

Walking on the West Pennine Moors is a detailed Cicerone guidebook presenting 30 day walks that explore the diverse landscapes of this beautiful moorland region. Written by experienced outdoor author Terry Marsh, the guide features routes ranging from 5 to 15 km (3 to 9 miles), suitable for a wide range of abilities—from gentle valley strolls to more challenging upland adventures.

• 40 circular walks across the West Pennine Moors are included, covering locations from Bolton to Chorley and Blackburn, offering a mix of moorland summits, wooded valleys, and reservoirs
• Explore notable landscapes, including the rugged moorland tops of Rivington Pike and Winter Hill, the tranquil waters of Belmont and Anglezarke Reservoirs, and historic industrial sites, including the ruins of mills and reservoirs
• Each route is supported by 1:50,000 Ordnance Survey mapping, alongside clear step-by-step directions and downloadable GPX files to ensure confident navigation across moorland trails and country lanes of Lancashire
• Practical information, including distance, ascent, parking, public transport options, and nearby pubs or cafés in towns and villages such as Rivington and Darwen, is provided, making planning easy and accessible
• The guidebook offers insights into the area's natural environment and industrial history, highlighting features such as the remnants of early water supply schemes and the rich wildlife of the West Pennine Moors

From expansive moorland panoramas to quiet wooded valleys, the West Pennine Moors provide a captivating setting for walkers seeking varied terrain within easy reach of urban centres like Preston, Blackburn, and Manchester. With comprehensive route descriptions, detailed mapping, and practical advice, Walking on the West Pennine Moors equips you to explore the wild beauty and heritage of this iconic Lancashire landscape. 

West Pennine Moors - Quick Facts

Guidebook name: Walking on the West Pennine Moors
Location: West Pennine Moors, Lancashire, England
Number of walks: 30 day walks
Distance: 5–15 km (3–9 miles) per walk
Route format: Circular day walks
Key locations: Bolton, Chorley, Blackburn, Rivington, Darwen
Terrain: Moorland summits, wooded valleys, reservoirs, country lanes
Difficulty: Easy to moderate, suitable for a range of walking abilities
Navigation: Step-by-step directions with 1:50,000 Ordnance Survey mapping and downloadable GPX files
Highlights: Rivington Pike, Winter Hill, Belmont Reservoir, Anglezarke Reservoir, historic mill ruins
Best season: Year-round walking possible; Spring to autumn for the best walking conditions

Author Highlight

“ The area has been a place of recreation for many generations of Lancashire folk; indeed, long before the much-vaunted mass trespass on Kinder Scout, there were organised trespasses in the late 1800s (small and large: around 10,000 people in 1896) and court proceedings on both Winter Hill and Darwen Moor in an attempt to keep rights of way across the moors open. The West Pennine Moors were very much in the vanguard of the campaign for access to our countryside, not that you’ll find many so-called authoritative texts on the matter admitting as much. But the facts speak for themselves; it happened here first.”

- Terry Marsh, author of Walking on the West Pennine Moors

INTRODUCTION 

Geography and Natural History 

Human Influence 

Introducing the Valleys 

Walking Safely 

Using this Guide 

RIVINGTON AND ANGLEZARKE 

1 Around Anglezarke Reservoir 

2 Rivington Moor and Winter Hill 

3 Wilderswood and the Edge of Rivington Moor 

4 Rivington Pike 

5 Rivington Country Park 

6 Great Hill and Spitler’s Edge 

7 Noon Hill Slack 

8 Around Yarrow Reservoir 

9 Lead Mines Clough and Jepson’s Gate 

10 Healey Nab and Limbrick 

11 Withnell Moor 

12 Wheelton Moor 

RODDLESWORTH AND DARWEN 

13 Tockholes and Darwen Tower 

14 Darwen Tower via Sunnyhurst Wood 

15 Roddlesworth Woodlands and Reservoirs 

16 Belmont Reservoir and Spitler’s Edge 

17 Sunnyhurst Wood 

TURTON AND ENTWISTLE 

18 Turton Moor 

19 Turton and Entwistle Reservoir 

20 Jumbles Reservoir 

21 Around Wayoh 

22 The Three Reservoirs and Turton Tower 

23 Longworth Clough and Turton Heights 

24 Cheetham Close 

RAMSBOTTOM, HODDLESDEN AND HASLINGDEN GRANE

25 Calf Hey and Ogden Reservoirs 

26 Haslingden Grane 

27 Jumbles and Two Brooks Valley 

28 Holcombe Moor and Peel Hill 

29 Around Alden Brook 

30 Irwell Valley 

APPENDIX 1 Route Summary Table 

APPENDIX 2 Further Reading 

INDEX 

Seasons

Ideal for walking in all seasons

Centres

Accessible from all directions - the main urban centres are Chorley, Darwen, Blackburn, Bolton, Haslingden and Manchester.

Difficulty

Not technically difficult, but the terrain can be demanding, especially after rain. Paths shown on map are not always present on the ground, and even those that are require attention to route directions.

Must See

The West Pennine Moors are many and varied, threaded by valley road links, surrounded by towns and villages, and providing a wide range of excellent walking opportunity in a moorland setting. Numerous prehistoric sites are spread across the moors, as well as monuments to wealth and achievement.

1:50000 – all the walks in this book can be found on Ordnance Survey® Landranger Sheets 103 (Blackburn and Burnley), and 109 (Manchester).

1:25000 – of greater use to walkers on the West Pennine Moors is the Ordnance Survey Explorer Sheet 287 (www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk), which covers all the walks in this book. 

June 2022

2022 reprint route updates

September 2021

Walk 13 map

June 2018

Corrections

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