Introduction

 

 

A website with walks exploring the diversity of the Lancashire countryside and beyond.


 


 

 

Coronavirus (COVID-19) 
During the current emergency please follow the official guidelines by the UK Government before thinking of venturing out on any walks described on this site.

Established by retired teachers John Griffiths and Bob Clare in 2007 the Lancashire Walks website started with the aspiration to feature a walk for each week of the year. Now we have over 90 pages dedicated to walks in Lancashire and other areas of the North. Through our association with Johnston Press our walks appear in a number of local newspapers - the Lancashire Evening Post, the Blackpool Gazette, the Chorley Guardian, the Lancaster Guardian and the Wigan Evening Post. These walks feature on our Walk of the Week page.

 

From the outset we have had one type of reader in mind - someone we term as "the novice walker". This person enjoys walking but has not yet developed the experience to strike out on their own with map and compass. As with many other similar websites we illustrate our walks with a large number of photographs to help the reader "virtually" follow a route. 

The routes: Nearly all the walks described are less than six miles. They are graded easy (mainly flat), moderate (some climbing) or strenuous (a lot of climbing). With a few exceptions the routes are circular. Where they are not public transport options are made clear.
Timings: These are provided as a guideline - walking speeds can vary considerably between individuals. Our timings are based on the notion that an averagely fit walker usually walks at 2 ½ miles per hour. 
Maps: The routes are illustrated by maps provided by Johnston Press. They are accurate but not as detailed as Ordnance Survey maps. We strongly recommend readers to refer to the OS map listed for each walk. 

Mobile phone app: As of autumn 2018 a number of our walks will be available as a mobile phone app thanks to our association with iFootpath our friends in the south.

 

 

As well as the health benefits there is a social dimension to walking. Throughout Lancashire there are scores of walking groups which are dedicated to exploring the county and places in easy reach of it. On the pages of the blog we often refer to the "fellwalking club". This is in fact the Norwest Fellwalking Club. For those readers interested in exploring the countryside further afield you can contact the secretary through the website www.norwestfellwalking.org.uk

And should you want more of a challenge why not try the Saunders Lakeland Mountain Marathon an event that takes place in July (www.slmm.org.uk)


Countryside Code

As lovers of the countryside it is important that we all follow the countryside code. Here is a link to the countryside code in a wide range of languages.

Countryside Code

Countryside Code in other languages

Equipment

Some of our walks are shorter low level walks where sensible footwear and a raincoat would suffice but for most walks - especially those with hills-  walking boots are essential. It is not necessary to spend a great deal of money unless you intend to do a great deal of walking. Even then it is not necessary to spend a fortune. Waterproofs are essential though again it is not essential to spend a great deal. Warm clothing in winter is obvious but even in summer it is necessary when gaining any altitude e.g Pendle Hill, Leck Fell, Ward Stone etc. Always take a bottle of water with you.

Disclaimer
We have done our best to ensure that the walks are accurate and up to date but we are enthusiastic amateurs not professionals. We will continue to check our walks but the reader must use his/her own common sense to ensure his/her own safety and comfort.

Please feel free to contact us at any time via our contacts page . We are always open to new ideas and constructive criticism

To see our active wing the Lancashire Dotcom Walkers on Facebook