Close to both the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District; the Forest of Bowland is often forgotten and underrated. But it is a very stunning area (AONB status), and you will often have the walk for yourself !
And for the fans of architectures, the area has 500 listed buildings and 18 scheduled monuments. When I first moved to the area, I did not understand why it was called a forest and yet I could see so few trees. This comes from the traditional term used to described a royal hunting ground. You will mostly found heather moorlands and blanket bogs.
Stats
| Difficulty | Moderate to strenuous. No great ups and downs but over 10 miles |
| Length | 10.2 mi – 16.4 km |
| Total elevation | 1,627 ft – 496m |
| Highest point | 956ft – 292m |
| Walking time | 4h20 |
| Terrain | paths, footpaths and road |
| Equipment | Waterproof shoes as you will be crossing some stepping stone and some parts of the walk could get boggy |
View route (Click on menu to reveal the image)
Getting there
- Driving: Some free parking on Trough Road, and paid car-park in Dunsop Bridge. Alternatively, if you prefer starting and finishing at the Inn in Whitewell; some parking at the corner of Little Bowland Road and River Hodder
- Public transport: Bus 11 from Clitheroe (C. 45 mins)
- From Preston: Train to Blackburn then train to Clitheroe then bus 11 to War Memorial (c. 2h)
Watering Holes
- The Inn at Whitewell – Whitewell – 5.5 miles into the walk
My favourite in the area. This is a 16th Century former coaching Inn.
Check before you go as this is a popular wedding venue.
Fab local ales as well as home-cooked gastro food using local ingredients.
Pub classics for lunch and gastro-pub dishes for supper. This is also a place to eat local Game when in season. The kitchen is open every day from 12:00-14:00 and Mon-Thu 19:00-21:00 as well as Fri-Sun 18:30-21:00.
There are several rooms for food and drinks. All with peat-fires burning.
Even though the Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip had the queen’s celebratory 80th birthday lunch at the Inn; the Inn has won an array of awards; the service is very professional and friendly.
Make a week-end of it – Where to stay and eat
The forest of Bowland is a very enchanting place to spend the week-end. With several picturesque villages, an array of stunning walks and so many good places to eat, drink and relax
For a luxury and romantic week-end: The Inn at Whitewell
24 bedrooms, all individually decorated with antique furnitures and luxurious soft furnishing.
Rooms price start just under £200 on B&B basis
For Glamping (and seeing the meerkats): Bowland Escapes
Offers lodges for families and groups up to 6, camping pods, safari tents, an Iron Age storehouse and one cosy and romantic shepherd’s hut. It also has 5 soft grass pitch for tents.
All accomodations offer free entry to the wild boar park. Which hosts other animals such as alpacas and some meerkats !
For groups on budgets: YHA Slaidburn – Slaidburn
The hostel will accommodate up to 30 people ! But can only be booked as a whole venue on a self-catering basis
Minimum stay of 2 nights. However, week-nights are prices at £200 per night and the price doubles for week-end night
Open wood-fire in the common rooms. And drying room for your walking gear.
If you do not fancy staying in for meals and drinks; there is a great pub across the road. And the village has a shop if you have forgotten any supplies.
However, note there is no phone signal or wifi.
Peregrinating the North West and Beyond 