Walking in Lancashire

The M6 motorway provides a physical line which neatly divides Lancashire into its two primary regions. To the west lies the coastal plain with its low sandy beaches between the Ribble estuary and the Cumbria border. This region is often referred to as the 'Lungs of Lancashire' and includes the popular holiday resorts of Blackpool and Morecambe. To the east of the M6 lies Lancashire's Hill country which is by far the most attractive and interesting for walking. The beautiful countryside in this region embraces the rugged and varied terrain of the Forest of Bowland, a designated AONB, and the secluded open moors in the South and West Pennines. Pendle, famous for its witches, and the Ribble Valley are both great locations for walking in Lancashire. There are stunning views, attractive villages, lovely rivers and streams, woodland, reservoirs, canal side paths and much else to explore and enjoy. The West Pennine Moors is a designated recreational area in the heart of Lancashire. It extends to 90 square miles, comprising of moorland, valleys, wooded cloughs, forestry, farmland and reservoirs.

Whitewell - The hamlet of Whitewell has a delightful location nestling under wooded slopes in the Hodder Valley with the moors of the Forest of Bowland as a backdrop and the salmon-rich river flowing through it.

OS Maps: Explorer™ OL41

A Walk from Whitewell [SD 659468]
The immediate surroundings of Whitewell provide a pleasant green oasis surrounded by high moors and this walk links the two contrasting landscapes. The route encircles the slopes to the north and south of Birkett Fell along moorland and field paths that give excellent views of the Bowland Hills in all directions. The route returns along the meandering River Hodder along a path that leads straight to the welcoming door of the Inn at Whitewell. About 6 miles.
Best Pub for this walk
Inn at Whitewell Tel: 01200 448222 (Good Pub Guide)
The delightful riverside location of this inn makes it an idyllic spot for a drink, a meal, or to stay. The riverside bar and the adjacent terrace make the most of the view and the restaurant actually projects over the river. The rooms are impressively furnished and the place has a lovely relaxed atmosphere. This is a true country inn stuffed to the rafters with hunting, shooting and fishing oddities, antiques, paintings and sketches. There is an excellent traditional bar menu with a hearty range of specials that will leave you spoilt for choice, plus an especially large selection of wines if you are dining in the award-winning restaurant. This is definitely a great place to stay, but it is very popular and you will have to book quite away ahead to get a room.
This walk is fully described in the guidebook 'Pub Walks for Motorists - Lancashire, Merseyside and Greater Manchester' by Nick Burton

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