From the top of chilly Winter Hill to the beautiful coastline around Arnside, we bring you some of the best walks to enjoy this Spring.
Knott to be missed
John Lenehan starts the Arnside Knott circular walk in the pretty seaside village of Arnside. It has character of charm and couples this with busy shops, cafes, pubs, art galleries and what John says is the finest fish and chip shop for miles.
Start and Finish: Arnside Seafront Car Park.
Distance: 4.75 miles/7.64 kms
Terrain: A stiff climb initially but the majority after the summit of the Knott is easy walking.
Map: OS Explorer OL7 The English Lakes South Eastern Area.
Click here for the full details of the Armside Knott circular walk
Ribble ramble
We follow the Ribble and pass the site of an ancient War of the Roses battle. The walk crosses two old bridges, goes past one of the county's fine old private houses and takes in a wonderfully ancient church, probably one of our loveliest.
Start and Finish: The Aspinall Arms but ask for permission.
Distance: 4.75 miles/ 7.6 kms
Terrain: Flat walking across fields and good tracks. There are a couple of very short steep sections.
Map: OS Explorer 41 Forest of Bowland and Ribblesdale
Click here for full details of the Mitton walk
You'll want moor
A lovely short walk on Holcombe Moor with splendid views. What's more, it has one of the most walker friendly pubs in the region. The centre-piece of the hike is the Peel Tower, which stands at 1100ft on Holcombe Hill.
Start and Finish: The Shoulder of Mutton, Holcombe Village.
Distance: 2.75 miles/ 4.45 kms
Terrain: Mainly good tracks with two steep climbs and one descent and in wet conditions the moor can be boggy.
Map: OS Explorer 287 West Pennine Moors
Click here for full details of the Holcombe Moor walk
Pies and pints
Pendleton and Downham are among our most beautiful villages in an area steeped in history and stories of witchcraft. This is a great area for walking, cycling, or simply sightseeing plus some excellent pubs. Nearby Whalley and Clitheroe are perfect for post-walk shopping.
Start and Finish: Car park Pendleton
Terrain: The Pendleton Downham Circle is mainly on tracks and footpaths with a short section of tarmac road.
Distance: 7.6 miles/12.2 kms
Map: OS Explorer 41 Forest of Bowland and Ribblesdale.
Click here for full details of the Pendleton to Downham walk
High interest
Murder, a plane crash and the remains of Bronze Age man link this walk to Winter Hill. The area is dominated by the 1496ft Winter Hill with its television and radio masts, and John added a walk to Noon Hill to make it a little more demanding.
Start and Finish: Black Dog Pub at Belmont
Terrain: Good tracks mostly but can be extremely boggy in sections.
Distance: 5 miles/8 kms
Map: OS Explorer 287 West Pennine Moors
Click here for full details of the Winter Hill walk
Coastal corner
On a bright day this small corner of coastal Lancashire is an unexpected gem. Glasson is an interesting community and this walk takes you past what's left of Cockersands Abbey which started life as a leper hospital.
Start and Finish: The car park by the Marina at Glasson Dock, £1.00 all day.
Distance: 5.8 miles/ 9.3kms
Map: OS Explorer 296. Lancaster, Morecambe and Fleetwood
Terrain: In dry weather it is easy walking on fields, tracks, and minor roads.
Click here for full details of the Glasson Dock walk
Meeting place
The picturesque town of Kirkby Lonsdale nestles in the very beautiful Lune Valley and offers great walking. It sits on the spot where Lancashire, Yorkshire and Westmorland meet and has some lovely architecture and excellent shops and is surrounded by glorious scenery.
Start and finish: Market Place Square, Kirkby Lonsdale.
Distance: 5 miles/8.05 kms
Map: OL Explorer 2 Yorkshire Dales.
Terrain: The walking is good most of the route but the first section is rough under foot and could be wet.
Click here for full details of the Kirkby Lonsdale walk
Worth a trip
A map doesn't do justice to this lovely walk over lonely moorland. Worsthorne is one of the many small villages here. Before the rise of the industrial revolution, cloth was produced in places like this. It takes in the old packhorse road from Burnley over the lonely moors to Yorkshire.
Start and finish: Worsthorne village square
Distance: 8.5 miles/13.6 kms
Map: OS Explorer OL 21 South Pennines.
Terrain: Mostly good tracks and footpaths - a good boot walk that done in good weather is fantastic.
Click here for full details of the Worsthorne walk
Quite quaint
The word quaint could have been invented for Chipping. The streets are narrow and dominated by the ancient St Bartholomew's church. The old houses and cottages give a real feel of a bygone age. It also sits in one of the nicest walking and cycling areas of Lancashire.
Start and Finish: Chipping village car park
Distance: 7.5 miles/12 kms
Map: OS Explorer 41 Forest of Bowland and Ribblesdale
Terrain: A little road at the start and finish interspaced with footpaths over fields then a good long climb to open fells.
Click here for full details of the Chipping and Parlick Pike walk
Use your loaf
Starting in the pretty village of Brinscall, this route follows the stream of the Goit through tranquil woods to White Coppice. It then climbs over open moor to Great Hill before returning to Brinscall. Best on a clear day as the views are stupendous.
Start and Finish: The car park behind Brinscall Swimming Pool, School Lane.
Distance: 5.9 miles/9.5 kms
Map: OS Explorer 287 West Pennine Moors.
Terrain: Can be rough underfoot and at times very muddy. Best avoided in thick mist as it can be easy to take the wrong path.
Click here for full details of the Brinscall and White Coppice walk
All the routes were correct at the time of publication, over time access to certain parts of the walk may be subject to change. We advise you acquire a recent OS map of the area you plan to visit and assure there are no major changes.
