Thanks to the Ribble Life Together Project we were able to create a range of circular walks across the catchment. Each walk varies in length, terrain, and accessibility which means that there are walks suitable for everyone. Click on the links below to download a copy of the route guides, and keep an eye out for more walks being added to this page:
Barnoldswick
Stock Beck helped to make Barnoldswick the thriving manufacturing town we know today. Follow the course of the beck as it winds its way out of Barnoldswick to the hamlet of Bracewell. Enjoy a variety of scenery, from the character of Barnoldswick town centre to the picturesque countryside of Bracewell and Brodgen.
Bashall Brook
A scenic, rural route crossing Bashall Brook and its tributaries before joining the River Ribble at Clitheroe.
Ribchester
Enjoy part of the Ribble Way and discover a village steeped in Roman history right on the banks of the River Ribble.
Park Brook
Taking in Park Brook, Dinckley Brook and Showley Brook, this route provides spectacular views of the Ribble Valley countryside. Work undertaken by Ribble Rivers Trust to improve Showley Brook is visible from the route.
Stainforth
A bracing walk offering spectacular views of the Yorkshire Dales countryside and the opportunity to visit two waterfalls, Catrigg Force and Stainforth Force, via short detours.
Darwen Tower
This route visits the picturesque woodlands of Sunnyhurst and Tockholes and showcases spectacular views from Darwen Moor. The industrial history of Darwen combines with the rugged countryside of the West Pennine Moors on this scenic walk.
Chipping
This route highlights the industrial and agricultural heritage of the village of Chipping, part of the Forest of Bowland AONB. The watercourses in and around Chipping allowed industry to thrive here from the 1700s, making it the village we see today.
Slaidburn
This route celebrates the rural history along the banks of the River Hodder. Featuring the picturesque villages of Newton-in-Bowland and Slaidburn, this walk provides stunning views of the Forest of Bowland AONB.
Barrowford
This route celebrates the industrial past of Pendle Water and the area’s historic links with witchcraft whilst allowing fantastic views of the Pendle countryside.
Hyndburn Brook
This route celebrates industrial Lancashire & the relationships between farming, industry, canals & rivers. The walk follows the old packhorse route from Clayton-le-Moors to the Dunkenhalgh Estate, before joining the Leeds Liverpool Canal at its mid-point on the edge of Church. It then joins Hyndburn Brook near Oakenshaw & climbs back up into Clayton-le-Moors.
Sabden
This route celebrates the agricultural & industrial heritage of the village of Sabden, part of the detached Forest of Pendle section of the Forest of Bowland AONB.
Calder and Brun
This route offers a rich mix of the cultural & natural heritage of the rivers that have shaped Burnley. Contrasting between the urban rivers at the heart of the town & the rural streams where they begin, fantastic views look over the Calder Valley to Pendle Hill.
Rivers and Bridges
This route passes built remnants of an industrial heritage gradually being reclaimed by nature. The bridges allow views along the River Ribble & these impressive structures are dramatic backdrops to the start of the river’s tidal character.
Ribble Estuary
This walk celebrates the link between the river & sea, taking in Liggard Brook & the Ribble Estuary. In the 1800s, Lytham was a small fishing village with a few cottages. It grew with industrialisation, as railways allowed easier access for workers to the coast from surrounding areas.
Riversway Docklands
This short stroll takes in both the Preston Riversway Docklands & the River Ribble, which was diverted to create the dock. The Bullnose offers views across to the Ribble Link, not far from the estuary. The route is rich in cultural heritage, with many features showing the contrast between the modern-day & historic use of these waterways.
If printing our route guides, please download the pdf and select the ‘Landscape’ setting and ‘Duplex (flip on short edge)’. If you’d like to get your hands on printed copies of the leaflets then click here to contact us and we can post them to you, why not make a small donation to cover the cost?
As part of Ribble Life Together, 15 new circular walks were created across the catchment, from Stainforth in the Yorkshire Dales, to Lytham & the Ribble Estuary. These walks vary in difficulty & in length from 2.2 miles to 8.5 miles (3.5km to 13.7km). The routes focus on river & freshwater features as well as local social, industrial & cultural heritage.
The purpose of the circular walks is to achieve the following objectives:
- Increase access to and interpretation/understanding of rivers
- Increase existing use of rivers
- Widen the audience of rivers
Most of the walk routes pass our physical works such as woodlands, wetlands and fish passes. Each walk has an accompanying digital walk guide which features additional photos, videos and audio recordings and has been created through collaboration with partners and local organisations. The digital walk guides are downloadable through our Ribble Life app, which is available on both Apple and Android. Many of the walk routes also pass a Ribble Trust interpretation panel, which contains further information about local river improvements, the area and wildlife.
The Ribble Life Together circular walks aim to help everyone to access the river and learn more about the hidden heritage. Physical access improvements and exciting interpretation ensures that these walks are accessible and appeal to all of the community.