Cycling
Outstanding scenery, picturesque villages, charming tea rooms and a network of Quiet Lanes - all waiting to be explored. And what better way to do it than by bike? Silently travelling around this area of outstanding natural beauty under your own power, coming across hidden gems around every corner, this truly is a spectacular area for biking enthusiasts of all types and levels:
Forest of Bowland Downloadable Cycling Routes
Cycle Hire, Holidays & Coaching
NEW March 2011 Crook 'O' Lune Closure
Please select a symbol on the map above or make a selection from the list below for the starting point and for details of the cycle route:
We actively encourage the use of public transport in the Forest of Bowland AONB, for more detailed information visit our Travel Information page. You can use the North West Journey Planner to plan getting to the start of your route by public transport, each route provides you with details of the nearest bus stop or train station, so you can easily plot your journey.
Forest of Bowland downloadable cycling routes
It is strongly advised that you refer to the page on safety information (pdf 44kb) before going cycling. This page highlights safety information and the Countryside Code and also provides further information about sustainable tourism and how you can make your contribution towards keeping the Forest of Bowland special!
Denotes a route that is particularly special for viewing wildlife, the downloadable pdf of the route highlights the types of wildlife to look out for.
| Start point: Barley | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Route | Length | Nearest Train Station | Village Information | Download/Print Leaflet |
| Road tour of Pendle Hill Area | 15 miles | Clitheroe or Brierfield | Barley village info | • Road tour of Pendle Hill Area (pdf 2.2mb) |
| Start point: Lancaster | ||||
| Route | Length | Nearest Train Station | Village Information | Download/Print Leaflet |
| Wyresdale | 20 miles | Lancaster | Lancaster info | • Wyresdale (pdf 2.8mb) |
| Lune Valley | 26 miles | Lancaster | Lancaster info | • Lune Valley (pdf 2.8mb) |
| Rivers Lune & Wyre | 30 miles | Lancaster | Lancaster info | • Rivers Lune & Wyre(pdf 2.5mb) |
| Start point: Long Preston | ||||
| Route | Length | Nearest Train Station | Village Information | Download/Print Leaflet |
| The Roses Border Ride | 35 miles | Long Preston | Settle info | • The Roses Border Ride (pdf 2.9mb) |
| Start point: Scorton | ||||
| Route | Length | Nearest Train Station | Village Information | Download/Print Leaflet |
| Scorton | 16 miles | Preston or Lancaster | Scorton village info | • Scorton (pdf 1.8mb) |
| Grizedale and Bleasdale | 27 miles | Preston or Lancaster | Scorton village info | • Grizedale and Bleasdale (pdf 2.8mb) |
| Start point: Slaidburn or Wray | ||||
| Route | Length | Nearest Train Station | Village Information | Download/Print Leaflet |
| Salter Fell - Cross O'Greet Circuit | 31 miles | Clitheroe or Long Preston (starting at Slaidburn) or Wennington (starting at Wray) | Slaidburn village info • Wray village info | Salter Fell - Cross O'Greet Circuit (pdf 2.9mb) |
| Start point: Waddington | ||||
| Route | Length | Nearest Train Station | Village Information | Download/Print Leaflet |
| Ribble Valley Villages | 29 miles | Clitheroe | Waddington village info | • Ribble Valley Villages (pdf 3.3mb) |
Other Cycling Routes
Gisburn Forest Cycleway - Gisburn is the largest forest in Lancashire and is managed by Forest Enterprise. Within the forest, adjacent to Stocks Reservoir, you’ll find several colour-coded mountain bike trails which can be accessed from designated car parks. The shortest ones are suitable for younger children or the inexperienced. Walkers can make use of any of the forest tracks but cyclists must keep to the way marked routes. Contact Forest Enterprise for further details on 01229 860010. A new leaflet has recently been produced (May 2010) highlighting the cycle routes and also businesses in the area.
Click here to view the Gisburn Forest Mountain Bike leaflet
Visit the Gisburn Forest Bike Trails website
View video footage of the new mountain bike trails
Lancashire Cycleway - listed amongst the top 10 long distance cycle rides in Britain, (Daily Telegraph, 2008) and the Independent's top 50 cycle rides (2010) along with a number of rides in more exotic locations including Australia and America.
The route consists of a north and south circular route which meet at the historic town of Whalley, to the south-east of the Forest of Bowland. The route has been designed specifically to use minor roads which have low levels of traffic but also to pass through areas of scenic beauty. The Cycleway is well signposted and is also accessible from many railway stations near to the route.
Way of the Roses
The Way of the Roses is a new coast to coast route which links Morecambe in Lancashire, via the historic cities of Lancaster and York, to Bridlington in Yorkshire. The section which cuts through the Forest of Bowland AONB includes part of the Millennium Cycle way along the river Lune from Lancaster to Caton. From there the route crosses over the river at the beautiful Crook o Lune, and upstream to Gressingham. Country roads take you on to Hornby and Wray – two delightful villages with ample stop off points for views, heritage and refreshments! The route then follows quiet lanes towards Bentham, passing by the Great Stone of Fourstone and then across the border into North Yorkshire. Beautiful views across the Craven dales and the three peaks greet you as you leave the AONB at Clapham, but there are many more miles to go if you want to complete the route.
A one day ride from Morecambe to Settle, and a return by train if you prefer, is about 25 miles.
Enjoy beautiful countryside and historic cities on the Way of the Roses, the new Sustrans coast to coast Challenge Ride.
Fully supported five day tour includes accommodation, baggage transfer and CTC qualified guide.
Start and finish in York with free transfers to Morecambe and return from Bridlington.
For full details visit http://www.wayoftheroses.org.uk
Bowland by Bike - The Bowland by Bike leaflet details 5 stunning cycle routes in and around the Forest of Bowland. These routes vary in length and surface and have been selected to give you a flavour of the excellent cycling opportunities available throughout the AONB. Available from Tourist Information Centres in the area or via the link below.
Cycle Route Journey Planner - Lancaster district has taken part in a national project to map local cycle routes on an online cycle planner, why not try it out?
Cycle Hire, Holidays & Coaching
- Cycle Bowland - cycle hire and holidays
Vist www.cyclebowland.com or Tel: 01729 824419 Featured in the Guardian's Green Travel Guide 2010!
- Cycle Adventure - cycle hire, guiding, skills coaching and holidays
Call 07518 373 007, text 'ca' for call back or visit www.cycle-adventure.co.uk
- Pedal Power - cycle hire
Visit www.pedalpowerclitheroe.co.uk or Tel: 01200 422066
- Trail Motions - mountain bikes skills coaching
Visit www.trailmotions.co.uk or Tel:01524 792928 / 07941 910866
