The Forest of Bowland offers some of the most beautiful and remote walking in the country, follow this link for a full list of recommended Forest of Bowland walks. From the grandeur and isolation of the moorland hills to the undulating lowlands with their distinctive pattern of settlements, woodland cloughs and river valleys. These landscape contrasts, along with the serenity and tranquility of the area make this a walker’s paradise.

As well as the fell tops and moors, there are extensive opportunities for shorter and less challenging routes in the valleys, most especially riverside walks which abound in the area.

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.

Other walking routes

It is strongly advised that you refer to the page on walking safely before undertaking a walk. 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! The following are other walks and routes in the Forest of Bowland AONB:

Ribble Way

The Ribble Way follows the river from the sea near Preston to its source high in the fells of the Yorkshire Dales; 70 miles of delectable walking through an ever varied landscape. For convenience it is divided into seven easy sections with comprehensive descriptions of places passed en route such as Preston, Ribchester, Stonyhurst, Clitheroe, Settle and Horton. For those who do not wish to tackle the whole route, each section makes an easy day’s walk. See more information on the Ribble Way walk from Lancashire County Council’s Countryside web site.

Pendle Way

The Pendle Way is a 45 mile circular walk in 8 sections passing through villages like Barnoldswick, Earby and Newchurch-in-Pendle. There are also 6 smaller circular walks along the route. Information about the Pendle Way is contained in a special information pack available from Nelson Tourist Information Centre. Telephone 01282 692890.

The Lune Millennium Park

A multi-user route roughly following the River Lune from Glasson near Cockerham to Lancaster and on to Bull Beck near Caton. The section between Lancaster and the Bull Beck Picnic Site follows the banks of the River Lune and is suitable for disabled users. It follows the route of the former Lancaster to Wennington railway and is approximately six miles in length. Car parking facilities are available at Lancaster, Ladies Walk, Denny Beck, Crook O'Lune, Bull Beck, Conder Green and Glasson Dock. A leaflet on the cycle way is available from Tourist Information Centres.
Lancaster Tel: 01524 32878
Morecambe Tel: 01524 582808.

Gisburn Forest

Gisburn is the largest forest in Lancashire and is managed by Forest Enterprise. Within the forest there is a network of waymarked forest walks. These are based on existing forest roads and offer a variety of routes with a cycle network of 16km length. Contact Forest Enterprise for further details on 01229 860010.

Beacon Fell Country Park Trails

The Fellside Trail is a circular route on Beacon Fell provided for mountain bikes. The route takes approximately one hour to complete. Horse riding is permitted by prior arrangement with the Ranger Service. Please remember to give way to walkers and wildlife and to wear a cycling helmet at all times. For further information on horse riding permits please contact the ranger service on 01995 61693. See more information on the Fellside Trail from Lancashire County Council’s Countryside web site.

Gisburn Circular Walk

The walk begins in Gisburn, a village with an ancient church dating back to Norman times, inns and other buildings of interest dating from the sixteenth to the nineteenth centuries. Between the main village and the River Ribble is Gisburn Park, which until 1943 was the ancestral home of the Lister family and their successors the Lords Ribblesdale. Walks are approximately 4-5 hours, medium grade. Leaflets are available from local shops and businesses. See more information on the Gisburn Circular Walks from Lancashire County Council’s Countryside web site.

Other Rural Rambles

Listed below are a series of pdfs that provide detailed information on other walks in the Forest of BowlandAONB.

• The Bleasdale Circle Walk Leaflet (PDF, 917kb)
• Lune Valley Walk Leaflet (PDF, 518kb)
• Lune Valley Rambles Leaflet (PDF, 549kb)
• Tolkien Trail Leaflet (PDF, 381kb)

Five Walks Around Longridge

This attractively illustrated pack details 5 walks in the area to the east of Longridge. It includes circular walks on Longridge Fell and between Longridge and Ribchester "in the footsteps of the Romans", together with a linear walk over Longridge Fell to Chipping. Copies of the packs are available for £3 from Clitheroe and Preston Tourist Information Centres, Longridge Library and Longridge Post Office.

Further Information

Access Land - The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 gave general right of access to walkers for the first time to ‘Access Land’, for the purposes of open-air recreation on foot. Access land in the Forest of Bowland AONB offers some of the roughest and most remote walking in the North West, and linked with the network of public rights of way, gives plenty of scope for enjoyable and challenging walks. For further information about Access Land visit Natural England website.

Other information - visit Natural England website:

Open access restrictions

Fire severity

Treading Carefully - Treading Carefully is a leaflet that has been produced in partnership with the RSPB, Natural England and Lancashire Countryside Service and illustrates how walkers and birdwatchers can help ground nesting birds. Copies are available from Tourist Information Centres in the area or you can download the Treading Carefully Leaflet (pdf 1.1mb) here.

GPS Trailing - GPS trailing is a fairly new pastime to sweep its way across the UK. Likened to a high-tech treasure hunt, it is a pleasurable way to explore the countryside and is a particular favourite with families. Yorkshire Dales Guides have set up 7 GPS trails in Bowland. For details of the trails visit the Yorkshire Dales Guides website .

Maps - Before embarking on any walking in the Forest of Bowland AONB we recommend that you purchase a copy of the Ordnance Survey Map OL41 - Forest of Bowland and Ribblesdale. Also look out for the new Harveys map of the Forest of Bowland AONB which includes a tourist map highlighting cycling routes and facilities and a large-scale walkers map showing Access Land routes in the Bowland fells. Visit the Harvey map website.

Useful maps and information relating to public rights of way and access land can also be found at Lancashire County Councils MARIO website (maps and related information online).

Guided walks - Rural Footprints - guided walks for all, in and around the Lune Valley! Even if you haven't got much experience or confidence walking in wonderful countryside. Visit the Rural Footprints website for more information.