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Sustainable Travel Routes

Eco Escapes is about travelling light and exploring Lancashire’s natural landscapes on foot, by bike or e-bike where possible. This map shows walking and cycling routes and also highlights public transport hubs and electric vehicle chargepoints. Each individual Eco Escapes Itinerary provides more detailed advice on making your visit more sustainable.

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Bike-packing in Bowland

This 110-mile Bike-packing tour takes in the scenic highlights of the Forest of Bowland and visits many of the towns and villages in a meandering three-day tour of the National Landscape

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Transport Links | Find out more
Day 1: Lancaster to Dolphinholme 69km
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Day 2: Dolphinholme to Waddington 63km (132km)
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Day 3: Waddington to Clapham Station 46km (178km)
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Classic Bowland Hillclimbs

This itinerary combines some of the Forest of Bowland’s iconic climbs in three classic routes which explore the highlights of this National Landscape in one long weekend. Together, they involve more than 3500 metres of ascent in just over 100 miles of cycling.

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Transport Links | Find out more
Day 1: Cycle 46km | 28.5 miles | 1069m of ascent
Starting from Bentham or Slaidburn, this wild ride tackles the twin passes of Cross of Greet and Bowland Knotts
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Day 2: Cycle 67km | 41.5 miles | 1283m of ascent
Starting in Lancaster, this ride incorporates the classic ride through the Trough of Bowland after exploring the western boundary of the Forest of Bowland
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Day 3: Cycle 54 km | 33.5 miles | 1268m of ascent
From Clitheroe, This testing 33-mile circular visits the last remaining Clarion House in Britain before taking on Pendle Hill in a challenging finale.
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Climb Pendle Hill from Clitheroe

Base yourself in the bustling market town of Clitheroe for an active weekend of picturesque rides and scenic walks – including a challenging hike to the top of iconic Pendle Hill.

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Transport Links | Find out more
DAY 1: Train to Clitheroe | Climb Pendle Hill
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DAY 2: Get on your bike and explore the villages of the Ribble Valley
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Coast and Countryside

This varied itinerary criss-crosses the scenic Bentham Line railway, which hugs the Lancashire border across the northern boundary of the Forest of Bowland. The line links the iconic Lancashire seaside resort of Morecambe with the West Yorkshire city of Leeds, connecting villages and towns along the Wenning Valley between Wennington and the edge of the Yorkshire Dales at Giggleswick.

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Transport Links | Find out more
DAY 1: Bentham Auction Mart and the Heritage Trail
Explore the market town of Bentham on foot
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DAY 2: Morecambe and Bentham Pottery
Cycle the Way of the Roses to the Seaside
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Family-friendly adventures in Bowland

This itinerary starts in the market town of Clitheroe and heads straight out into the country lanes of the Forest of Bowland to the pretty village of Dunsop Bridge, where you can walk with alpacas and explore the beautiful Dunsop Valley on foot or by e-bike before heading to Bowland Wild Boar Park for a wide range of family-friendly activities.

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Transport Links | Find out more
DAY 1: Arrive by Train | Ride 12 miles | Walk 3 - 5 miles
Clitheroe Interchange
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DAY 2: Ride 12 miles | Walk 1 - 2 miles | Depart by Train
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Fields, Fells and Fabulous Food

Stretching from the high fells of the Bleasdale Horseshoe to the sharply etched ridge of Longridge Fell, the southwestern fringe of the Forest of Bowland combines striking scenery with rich farmland and superb local produce.

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Transport Links | Find out more
DAY 1 Walk Nicky Nook 5 miles
Climb up to the summit of Nicky Nook
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DAY 2 Ride Grizedale and Bleasdale 27 miles
Cycle through the Grizedale and Bleasdale
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Find the Centre of Great Britain

This itinerary takes you to the geographical centre of the British Isles and explores the beautiful landscapes and pretty villages of the Forest of Bowland on foot and by bike.

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Transport Links | Find out more
DAY 1: Hike to the Centre of the Kingdom | Walk 10.5 Miles
Hike to the Centre of the Kingdom
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DAY 2: Tour the pretty villages of the Ribble Valley | Cycle 30 Miles
Explore the Ribble Valley on two wheels
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Gisburn Forest & Stocks Reservoir

From hiking and mountain biking to foraging and star-gazing, Gisburn Forest, in the Forest of Bowland National Landscape, is a hidden gem with more in common with the lochs and glens of the Scottish Highlands than the mill towns of urban Lancashire.

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Transport Links | Find out more
DAY 1: Circuit of Stocks Reservoir Walk 7 miles
Walk around Stocks Reservoir
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DAY 2: Gisburn Forest MTB Trails Ride 20 miles
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Lancashire’s fabulous food producers

This foodie tour starts in Clitheroe – renowned for its bustling market and specialist retailers – before visiting a series of artisan food and drink producers across Lancashire.

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Transport Links | Find out more
DAY 1: Arrive Clitheroe by train | Explore Clitheroe on foot.
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DAY 2: Collection from hotel for minibus foodie tour | Depart Lancaster by train.
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Lancashire’s wildlife-rich Limestone Coast

This two-day itinerary starts amid the rugged limestone coastline of Silverdale and explores the forests and nature reserves of the National Landscape whilst winding its way south over the gnarly outcrop of Warton Crag to Carnforth Station.

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Transport Links | Find out more
DAY 1: Arrive by train | Walk 7 miles
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DAY 2: Walk 6 miles | Depart by train
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Lancaster and the Lune Valley

This itinerary explores the under-the-radar loveliness of the Lune Valley on the northern edge of the Forest of Bowland National Landscape. A short bus or train ride from Lancaster transports you to a landscape of characterful stone villages, verdant riverside paths, shady lanes through ancient woodland and sweeping views of higher, wilder country in the distance.

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Transport Links | Find out more
DAY 1: Crook of Lune and Wray on foot
Crook of Lune Walk
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The Bowland Traverse

Stretching across 28 miles of lonely uplands, punctuated with an overnight stop in Slaidburn, this two-day trek takes in some of the most spectacular views in the Forest of Bowland National Landscape.

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Transport Links | Find out more
DAY 1: Arrive by train | Walk 16.5 miles
Wennington Station
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DAY 2: Walk 12 miles
Slaidburn
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The Hidden Bowland Dales

This itinerary explores the exhilarating fell-walking opportunities of rugged scarps like Clougha Pike and Tarnbrook Fell and discovers the intimate valleys of Roeburndale, Hindburndale and Grizedale – which reveal a gentler side to the elemental upland landscapes of the Forest of Bowland.

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Transport Links | Find out more
DAY 1: ROEBURNDALE AND WRAY
Explore the ancient woodlands of Wray
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DAY 2: COAST & MOUNTAINS
Cycle part of the Way of the Roses
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DAY 2: COAST & MOUNTAINS
Catch the train back from Clapham Station
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RESET MAP
The Fleece Inn
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E-On Chargepoints
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BP Pulse Chargepoints
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Coach & Horses Inn
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Dale House Barn
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Browsholme Hall
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Pod Point Chargepoints
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Bowland Fell Park
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Pod Point Chargepoints
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BP Pulse Chargepoints
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Clitheroe Station
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Clitheroe Interchange
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Bentham Station
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Wennington Station
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Giggleswick Station
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Lancaster Station
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Clapham Station
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Hellifield Station
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Whalley Station
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Preston Station
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Silverdale Station
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Carnforth Station
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Lancaster Bus Station
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Caton Bus Stop
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Wray Bus Stop
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Ribble Valley Ebikes
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I Cycle Electric Bike Hire
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Ebike Hire Centre
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3 Peaks Cycles
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Open Skies Cycle Hire
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Alternative Adventure and Outdoor Activities Service
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Bee Creative Designs
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Bentham Golf Course
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Bowland and Bay
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Bowland Beer Hall
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Bowland Food Hall
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Bowland Forest Farm
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Bowland Wild Boar Park
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Brackenthwaite Holidays
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Brickhouse Touring Caravan Site
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Bridge House Farm Tea Rooms
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Browsholme Hall
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Carla Gebhard
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Challan Hall
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Cobden View self catering cottage
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Dale House Barn Luxury B&B & Cookery Courses
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Dale House Camping Barn
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Falcon Manor
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Farm on the Fell
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Gibraltar Farm
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Goosnargh Gin
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Hartley’s Huts
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Height Top Farm Holiday Cottages
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Lakewood Cottages
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Laythams Holiday Lets Retreat
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Little Oakhurst Luxury Glamping
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Moss Wood Caravan Park
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NaturesGems Tours
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Old School Brewery
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Orchard Glamping
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Patty’s Barn
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Peaks and Pods
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Ribble Valley E-Bikes
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Ribble Valley Holiday Homes
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Riverside Caravan Park
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RSPB Leighton Moss
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Shireburn Arms
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Shireburne Park
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Slaidburn Central Stores
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Slaidburn Youth Hostel
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Smelt Mill Outdoor Centre
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Stirk House Hotel
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The Assheton Arms
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The Coach and Horses
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The Courtyard Dairy
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The Emporium
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The Fleece Inn
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The Garden Cottage
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The Gathering Fields
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The Rewilding
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Waddington Arms
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Wenningdale Escapes
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Wild Fox Distillery
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Wolf and Us
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Wood End Farm and Alpaca Experience
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Yealand Old School
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  • Attraction/ Point of interest
  • Food and Drink
  • Accommodation
  • Railway Station
  • Bus Station
  • Charging Point
  • Cycle Hire