Wild Bowland Walks

Explore a snowy sliver of Lapland in Lancashire on this must-do winter walk

Start/finish: Memorial opposite Rum Fox pub
W3W: https://w3w.co/nags.wiped.however
Distance 12.5km (7¾ miles)
Total ascent 398 m
Time 3 hr
Map OS Explorer OL41
Refreshments: The Rum Fox Inn, Grindleton
Public transport: Clitheroe Station then number 3 Clitheroe Sawley Circular (every two hours) bus from Interchange.

Starting out as a pleasant valley stroll, as this route climbs steadily up onto the open fells, the views that unfold are right up there with the captivating vistas of the Dales or the High Peak. The initial ascent offers splendid views back over the Ribble Valley to Pendle and on reaching the highpoint atop Easington Fell, additional vistas open up to the north over the Hodder Valley and into the Yorkshire Dales.

As this route climbs steadily up onto the open fells, the views that unfold are right up there with the best in the Dales or the High Peak. From the highpoint at the summit of Easington Fell, additional panoramas open up to the north over the Hodder Valley and into the Yorkshire Dales. A must-do route for a crisp, clear winter’s morning.

From the cross roads at centre of village, walk west to Weavers Cottages then right over stile into Greendale Wood. Follow footpath over footbridge then left to perimeter of wood.

At edge of wood, continue west along field boundary to farm then over stile and right onto Green Lane. Follow this track for almost two miles as it climbs steadily up onto the fell side.

In May, the beech woods to the left are a glorious riot of spring colour – shot through with bluebells and ramsons and echoing to a rousing chorus of birdsong.

Beyond farmhouse, ignore first farm track off to left, but take second left, climbing again towards Simpshey Hill.  Beyond Cob Manor, Simpshey appears ahead. Through gate at top of track, take stile left and follow path downhill, across footbridge, before climbing half left past ruined barn.

Join grassy track following bridleway as it the skirts the base of hill and continues climbing north to turn left onto gravel logging track. Track climbs past a conifer plantation up onto the open fellside to a cairn on the skyline.

In springtime, this is one of the best places in Lancashire to listen out for the increasingly elusive cuckoo calling from the surrounding hillsides. Also look out for spotted flycatchers and the mercurial merlin.

From cairn, head half left to corner of plantation, following faint path northeast along edge. Climb over rusty gate with care and head over the tumbledown wall then follow it northeast for 400m. To the north, the Bowland Fells loom large and once over the brow, the Yorkshire Three Peaks suddenly appear.

Follow wall around plantation as it winds back southeast then, where gradient eases, head half left to gate then left on permissive path alongside wall heading southeast. After walk ends, continue to corner of field and right over the stile to continue east on permissive path then half right following firebreak into plantation.

At far edge of plantation, join the wonderfully named Shivering Ginnel, heading southeast. Continue straight over the stile, heading for the trig point on Beacon Hill. Footpath passes to left of trig and continues to lane. Turn right taking stile on left after 300m and across field to stile then onto track briefly before taking footpath through first gate on right after cattle grid.

Shivering Ginnel is so named owing to its alignment which allowed cold north-easterly winds to whistle through this wide gap in the trees and chill unfortunate local shepherds and other travelers along this ancient track.

Follow faint path well to right of barn to ladder stile in corner of field then along footpath past farmhouse, then left into the drive and across the lawn of the second property and over the stile in the corner.

Continue over stile downhill into corner of field, then over stiles and footbridge, continuing south over the fields to grassy track heading right above Far Lathe. Follow this southwest to edge of village then at back yard of the first house, turn left and follow footpath downhill. Continue down back streets then right to centre of village.