Lancashire walks

Lancashire Walks: The Best Walking Routes in North West England

Lancashire offers some of the most varied and underrated walking routes in North West England, from the windswept slopes of Pendle Hill to the limestone coastline around Silverdale. Across its rolling countryside, rugged moorland, peaceful reservoirs, and historic towns, the county provides an impressive mix of scenery for walkers of all abilities. Whether you are looking for gentle riverside paths, scenic circular routes, or more challenging hill climbs, Lancashire delivers year-round opportunities to explore the outdoors on foot.

Best Walking Areas in Lancashire

With an area of 3,066 km², Lancashire offers an enormous variety of walking terrain. While excellent walking routes can be found across the county, several areas stand out for their scenery, accessibility, and variety of routes.

Preston

Lancashire’s official capital, Preston, offers excellent riverside and parkland walking routes. Walks along the River Ribble provide peaceful scenery close to the city centre, while surrounding green spaces make Preston a great destination for relaxed Lancashire walks. The mixture of urban parks, woodland paths, and riverside trails creates accessible walking opportunities suitable for all ages.

Lancaster

Lancaster combines history and countryside. The city is known for its heritage, with landmarks such as Lancaster Castle and the historic priory helping create scenic walks filled with character. Many walks around Lancaster are easy to moderate in difficulty and pass through riverside paths, canals, and the surrounding countryside. For walkers who enjoy combining history with outdoor exploration, Lancaster offers some of the most enjoyable walks in Lancashire.

Burnley

Surrounded by Pennine countryside, Burnley is an excellent destination for walkers seeking moorland scenery and rural landscapes. The area provides access to trails across rolling hills, reservoirs, and farmland. Located close to the Ribble Valley and the South Pennines, Burnley serves as a gateway to some of the county’s most scenic walking terrain.

Rivington

Rivington is a wonderful destination for circular walks in Lancashire. Known for its reservoirs, woodland scenery, and panoramic hill views, the area attracts walkers throughout the year. Routes around Rivington Pike and the West Pennine Moors offer a mixture of gentle woodland paths and steeper hill climbs, making the area suitable for both casual walkers and experienced hikers.

Ribble Valley

Best known for its scenic countryside and food, the Ribble Valley is the place to be. Home to parts of the Forest of Bowland National Landscape, the area features quiet country lanes, stone-built villages, rolling farmland, and scenic river valleys. Walks here range from gentle countryside strolls to longer hill routes with impressive views across the surrounding landscape.

The area is also known for its food and hospitality, making it ideal for day walks followed by a traditional countryside pub or café stop.

Silverdale

Located on the edge of Morecambe Bay, Silverdale offers some of the most scenic coastal Lancashire walks. Known for its limestone pavements, woodland trails, and wildlife-rich nature reserves, the area provides peaceful walking routes with views across the bay toward the Lake District. Walkers can explore a mixture of shoreline paths, quiet countryside tracks, and low hills, making Silverdale one of the best areas for relaxed coastal walks in Lancashire.

Easy Walks in Lancashire (4-14 km)         

Lancashire is home to many family-friendly and dog-friendly walks that are easy for everyone. What matters most is what you want to see and experience. Below are 3 different styles of walks you can do in Lancashire with your family and dog.

The View of Pendle Hill walk near Worston is a short countryside walk that follows a gentle gradient through the foothills surrounding Pendle Hill and offers excellent views across the Ribble Valley. The route covers around 4 km with minimal ascent, making it perfect for a relaxed afternoon walk, taking nearly an hour and a half. The nearby Calf’s Head pub, where the route begins and ends, also makes it a popular destination for walkers looking to enjoy a meal after completing the route.

Wayoh Reservoir in Bolton is a peaceful reservoir walk that combines woodland scenery, waterside views, and abundant birdlife. The largely flat terrain makes it ideal for families with children or walkers seeking a slower-paced route. At roughly 5–6 km in length, it’s a very accessible circular walk in Lancashire.

Beginning near Morecambe Bay, the Hest Bank to Carnforth walk in Slyne-with-Hest follows sections of the Irish Sea coastline before looping back alongside the Lancaster Canal. With mostly flat terrain and only minimal elevation gain, this 14 km circular route provides a scenic long-distance walk that can be completed in about 4 hours

Moderate Lancashire Walking Routes (9-11 km)

For walkers seeking greater elevation and more varied terrain, Lancashire offers many rewarding moderate routes across hills, valleys, and moorland.

The Downham circular walk via Worston is a particularly scenic route passing through farmland, countryside trails, and open hillsides beneath Pendle Hill. Covering approximately 9–10 km, the walk offers excellent views throughout much of the route. The combination of rural scenery and moderate climbs makes it a great circular walk in Lancashire for those wanting a more challenging countryside walk.

Pendle Hill itself remains one of the county’s most well-known hills. Closely connected to the Lancashire witch trials of 1612, the hill combines historical significance with sweeping panoramic views across Lancashire and Yorkshire. Several routes lead to the 557 m summit, allowing walkers to choose between shorter, steep climbs or longer circular routes.

Another rewarding route begins near Towneley Hall and passes through Holme Chapel and surrounding farmland. This 11 km route combines woodland sections, open countryside, and quiet rural paths. The changing terrain and peaceful scenery make it an enjoyable 3-4 hour walk in Lancashire, particularly during dry weather conditions.

Forest of Bowland Walks

The Forest of Bowland National Landscape offers many defining features of Lancashire walking. Characterised by gritstone fells, peat moorland, deep valleys, and remote countryside, the area offers some of the county’s most dramatic scenery.

One of the most famous Lancashire walks within the area is the Tolkien Trail. Inspired by landscapes believed to have influenced J.R.R. Tolkien’s writing, the route passes through picturesque countryside around the Ribble Valley. The trail combines woodland, riverside scenery, and historic landmarks, creating a rewarding circular walk in Lancashire with both literary and scenic appeal.

The village of Downham is another highlight within the Forest of Bowland. Often considered one of Lancashire’s most beautiful villages, Downham sits beneath Pendle Hill and provides easy access to surrounding countryside trails. Stone cottages, narrow lanes, and open views across the valley help create a timeless walking atmosphere.

Whether exploring quiet moorland routes or traditional countryside villages, Lancashire walking within the Forest of Bowland offers some of the finest outdoor scenery in northern England.

Seasonal Walks in Lancashire

Spring is one of the best seasons for Lancashire walks, as woodland paths and countryside trails begin to fill with bluebells, wild garlic, and fresh greenery. Riverside walks become particularly scenic during this period, while cooler temperatures make longer routes more comfortable.

Summer brings longer daylight hours and ideal conditions for exploring coastal routes, reservoirs, and hill walks. Areas such as Morecambe Bay, Rivington, and the West Pennine Moors become especially popular during warm weather.

Autumn transforms many Lancashire walking routes with golden woodland colours, mist-covered valleys, and cooler temperatures perfect for hill walking. Forest trails and estate walks become particularly atmospheric during this season.

Winter walking in Lancashire offers dramatic scenery across moorland and coastal landscapes. While weather conditions can become challenging, clear winter days provide exceptional visibility across the hills and countryside. Proper waterproof clothing and sturdy boots are essential for winter Lancashire walks, especially on exposed upland routes.

Final Thoughts

From gentle riverside paths and coastal routes to rugged hill climbs and remote moorland trails, Lancashire walks offer a remarkable variety throughout every season. Whether you are searching for family-friendly countryside strolls, scenic reservoirs, or the best circular walks in Lancashire, the county provides endless opportunities to explore the outdoors.

With historic towns, panoramic hill views, and nationally recognised landscapes such as the Forest of Bowland and Pendle Hill, a walk in Lancashire combines natural beauty, history, and accessibility in equal measure. No matter your walking experience, Lancashire walking routes deliver memorable scenery and rewarding adventures across one of England’s most diverse counties.