- Skip to Navigation :
- Skip to Content :
- Skip to Search Form :
- Skip to Bottom of Page :
- Home :
- Accessibility :
- Contact Us :
- Site Map :
- Terms :
Walking, Cycling & Horse Riding
There is no better way of escaping from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and partaking in some of the most peaceful and remote walking, riding and cycling in the country.
Route Maps - Click on each section in the menu to the left hand side to view a map showing the start point of routes for that particular activity - access for all, walking, cycling and horse riding and to view and download the route map.
For general information about each of the activities with links to information about cycle hire and tramper hire use the links below.
Access for All Information | Walking Information | Cycling Information | Horse Riding Information
Access for All
Trampers - the Tramper is a specially designed four-wheel drive all-terrain electric buggy, which can be used off road and even on rough ground, mud and grass. It enables people who have difficulty walking to experience the countryside, woodlands and lakesides; and to accompany friends and family when out walking.
Trampers are available for hire at Bowland Visitor centre at Beacon Fell near Chipping, at Wyre Estuary Country Park, and at Witton Country Park in Blackburn. At these areas you also need to book ahead. To book a Tramper telephone:
Beacon Fell, Bowland Visitor Centre , 01995 640557
Wyre Estuary Country Park, 01253 857890
Witton Country Park, 01254 55423
Wyresdale Wheels for All - A group of local businesses in the Scorton area of the Forest of Bowland have been working in partnership with various government funded agencies including the Forest of Bowland AONB to develop Wyresdale Wheels for All. The Wyresdale Wheels Tramper is available to use, free of charge, at any of the businesses in the partnership listed below. Copies of the leaflet are available from Tourist Information Centres or click here to view a copy Wyresdale Wheels for All leaflet (PDF, 2.3mb please note that this file may take sometime to download). You may hire it for a few hours or days, subject to availability. When you use a Tramper for the first time you will be given an induction in how to use the vehicle. Please phone the Priory Hotel, Scorton, 01524 791255 to make your booking and we hope you enjoy tramping around Scorton!
- Best Western Garstang Country Hotel, Garstang
- Cleveley Mere Fishing and Lodges, Forton
- Tamarack Outdoors, Barnacre
- Bleasdale Cottages, Bleasdale
- The Priory, Scorton
- Wyreside Lakes , Bay Horse
- Barnacre Cottages, Barnacre
- Calderbank Country Lodge, Garstang
- Cobble Hey Farm & Gardens, Garstang
- Broadgate Farmhouse B&B & Caravan Site, Bleasdale
- Game Format Ltd, Scorton
- The Barn at Scorton
Walking
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 .
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.
Cycling
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.
Lancashire Cycleway - The Lancashire Cycleway 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.
For further information visit the Lancashire Cycleway website.
Bowland by Bike - The Bowland by Bikeleafletdetails 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.
Cycle hire and holidays
Cycle Bowland - Off the Rails based in Settle, offer four very different cycling experiences in the Forest of Bowland, to suit all your requirements. Explore on a comfy, easy to use hybrid bike and discover for yourself why this area is so special!
From unique bike/rail trips offering leisurely cycling to self guided day hire exploring the quiet lanes, hidden delights and country villages. Alternatively, why not extend your visit and try a 2 or 3 day cycle tour in style with detailed routes, overnight accommodation and baggage transfers included. If you fancy something more challenging off-road, try the MTB Taster Day or take a "learn to mountain bike" course or even have a 'dirty weekend' with guides on the fantastic bridleways and single tracks of Gisburn Forest.
Whichever you choose you can be sure you'll have top quality bikes, well researched routes, great accommodation and fully qualified guides and instructors who live locally and know the area well.
Winner of the National Cycle/Rail Awards, Finalist in the North West Sustainable Tourism Awards and a Gold Award winner in the Green Tourism Business Scheme.
For further information visit the Cycle Bowland website (www.cyclebowland.com) or download the leaflets below.
Cycle Bowland - Bowland Guided Cycle Tours in PDF format (786kb).
Cycle Bowland - Bowland Self-guided Cycle Tours in PDF format (1,482kb).
Dalesbridge, Austwick – cycle hire Tel: 015242 51021 or visit the
Dalesbridge website (www.dalesbridge.co.uk/)
Pedal Power, Clitheroe – cycle hire Tel: 01200 422066
Cycle Adventure – From gentle cycling on quiet lanes and tracks to more adventurous mountain biking on exiting off road trails.
All inclusive flexible cycle hire service including free delivery and collection to any location in the Forest of Bowland with a choice of route sheets for all abilities including helmet, lock, puncture resistant tyres , map holder, pump and expert route advice. Trek front suspension mountain bikes with disc brakes and children's cycles and equipment available.
Stay for longer on a Cycle Adventure Tour and explore the rich variety of landscapes and attractions of this stunningly picturesque Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Staying in a quality Farm House or luxury Country House Hotel, with luggage transfer, vehicle support and all the equipment and accessories you'll need, all you'll have to do is pedal!
You can also hire a qualified guide to take you straight to the heart of best cycling in Bowland with skills coaching and bespoke guiding packages available.
Call 07518 373 007, text 'ca' for call back or visit the Cycle Adventure website (www.cycle-adventure.co.uk) for bookings and more information.
Horse Riding
North Lancashire Bridleway - The first phase of this ambitious project to develop a circular bridleway in Bowland is complete, offering 47km of bridleway that cuts through the heart of the Forest of Bowland AONB. The majority of accommodation available on the route is provided by working farms, with many offering livery for horses. The route travels from Halton on Lune near Lancaster before wending its way up the Roeburndale Valley over to Slaidburn and the Hodder Valley on the old Salter Fell Road, skirting Dunsop Bridge and Whitewell and finally on to Chipping.
Future developments
Work on developing the second phase of the North Lancashire Bridleway is currently underway, and includes the creation of further local networks linked to the overall long distance route.
North Lancashire Bridleway leaflet - There is a comprehensive leaflet that includes a map of the route and a list of accommodation providers, to obtain a copy call 01772 534709, or you can download it from the link below.
North Lancashire Bridleway Leaflet in PDF format (2,543kb)
Riding Schools
Broomhill Equestrian, Grindleton – Tel: 01200 440462 or visit the
Broomhill Equestrian website (www.broomhillequestrian.co.uk)
Greenhall Farm, Tatham - Tel: 01524 261594 or visit the
Greenhall Farm website (www.greenhallridingcentre.co.uk)
Get
a free copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Walk of the Month:
Clitheroe Walks 4 - Castle Grounds to Standen Hey (pdf 788kb)
Starting in Clitheroe this varied walk follows part of the River Ribble and then on to Standen Hey Community Woodland – a lovely family walk!