The first section of the walk follows the disused Lancashire Union Railway from Abbey Village to Brinscall which is now a nature reserve. After Brincall the route follows Goit watercourse before leaving the valley and gradually ascends via Brinscall Hall and Windy Harbour to Snape Heights offering good views over the Ribble Valley, The final section descends back to railtrack offering good open views of Darwen Moor.
Technical sheet
n°4515479
A Withnell walk
posted on 05/01/21 by gfl57. Last update : 25/04/22
(S/E) Take path West signposted Withnell Nature Reserve and follow course of old rail track.
(1) Turn briefly South down School Lane. Take path South via playground and close to South side of pond.
(2) Leave footpath taking Trigg Lane West.
(3) Cross bridge and turn North past farm buildings. Path passes on the West side of stables then NE along East side of field boundary to pair of stiles by pond. Use pair of stiles to cross farm track and follow footpath North along West side of hedgerow. Briefly take track West away from hall.
(4) Leave hall track on North via gate and head NW up slope. Cross stile and follow footpath NW to road.
(5) Carefully take Harbour lane East as there is no footpath. Cross School Lane to take Sandy Lane NE. Follow Old Lane North onto footpath. Follow footpath North along western field boundary then pass around North side of Cross Fields farm buildings.
(6) Take gate on North side of large barn onto footpath heading East along south side field boundary. OS footpath has been redirected here it no longer passes through buildings and now passes along the fence surrounding the compound. Turn South along Bury lane.
(7) Turn East along track by church yard. Path bears briefly SE. Briefly take path East.
(8) Turn sharply SW on track which runs along top of railway cutting. Take steps South down to disused railtrack. Turn NE along track back to start.(S/E)
Waypoints
S/E : km 0 - alt. 157 m - Bolton Road
1 : km 1.91 - alt. 168 m - School Lane
2 : km 3.53 - alt. 161 m - Trigg Lane
3 : km 4.07 - alt. 153 m - Rail Bridge
4 : km 5.02 - alt. 180 m - Gate
5 : km 5.53 - alt. 206 m - Harbour Lane
6 : km 6.94 - alt. 199 m - Gate
7 : km 7.73 - alt. 206 m - Church yard
8 : km 8.31 - alt. 169 m - Sharp turn
S/E : km 9.36 - alt. 157 m - Bolton Road
Useful Information
Parking at start.
Refreshments in Abbey Village and Brinscall.
Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.
Withnell Nature Reserve.
Goit waterway
Ribble Valley views
Reviews and comments
4.3 / 5
Based on 1 review
Clarity of route description 5 / 5
Clarity of route map 3 / 5
Walk interest 5 / 5
Tony B
Overall rating :
4.3 / 5
Date of walk : 17/06/21 Clarity of route description : ★★★★★ Very good Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average Walk interest : ★★★★★ Very good
A nice afternoon walk. Circular route with varied scenary and interest. The map is a bit 'general' and as the signs on the walk are often missing and pathways not clear I did stray off the route at times. Maybe a more experienced walker would have managed better than me though. I perhaps ought to have taken an ordnance survey map with me for more detail. None the less I made it round and enjoyed it. Definitely would recommend it. The dog enjoyed it too.
