Part of the joy of enjoying a glamping break at our Lancashire site is the fantastic location. The site is right on the edge of the Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, meaning you have a wealth of spectacular scenery and beautiful walks right on your doorstep.
For those of you who like to get out and about on your own two feet during your glamping break (it’s the perfect way to work off all those toasted marshmallows!), we’ve picked five of our favourite walks to enjoy around the Forest of Bowland, taking in the best of the wildlife, heritage and breathtaking scenery.
5 best walks in the Forest of Bowland
- Pendle Hill from Barley (5 miles)
- Lancashire Cheesr Walk (3.5 miles)
- High Bentham Circular Walk (4 miles)
- Cobble Hey Farm Walk (2.5 miles)
- Trough of Bowland Walk (8.5 miles)
Pendle Hill from Barley (5 miles)
Pendle Hill is one of the most popular hill walks in the Forest of Bowland. At 557 metres high, it provides some fantastic views of the surrounding area. The walk from the village of Barley is one of the most popular routes up the hill, although there are others available. Barley has a large car park, a couple of pubs, public toilets and a café, making it a great place to start and finish your walk.
The walk is a short but steep climb, taking you initially along the Pendle Way before climbing steadily. There’s then a steeper section along the Pendle Hill Steps, which will carry you all the way up to the summit. You can find more information on the walk here.
Lancashire Cheese Walk (3.5 miles)
Having gained its name from Leagram Organic Dairy (the first place to produce Lancashire cheese commercially), the Creamy Lancashire Cheese Trail starts and finishes in the delightful village of Chipping. Here you’ll find a selection of small shops, pubs and cafes, as well as Chipping Farm, which offers some lovely local produce.
The walk itself is marked throughout and takes you out of the village, across fields and babbling brooks. You’ll cross the water using old stone bridges, jump over stiles and enjoy some beautiful scenery. The route also takes you across Chipping Moss, an important breeding ground for local birds. The local farmer and RSPB have been working together here to manage the land – you might even see some traditional cattle snacking on the grass! Find more information on the walk here.
High Bentham Circular Walk (4 miles)
If you’re looking for a walk which provides fantastic views of both the Forest of Bowland and the Yorkshire Dales, then this is a wonderful choice. Based on the Bentham Heritage Trail, it combines some beautiful scenery with a real sense of peace and tranquillity. The walk passes through High Bentham, with it’s many cosy pubs and shops, as well as taking you across lush farmland, along flowing rivers and over gentle hills.
The Bowland forest walk is marked by interpretation boards all along, providing walkers with information on the local heritage, farming and nearby wildlife. This lovely route also takes you along the picturesque River Wenning, making it a great choice for a summer picnic. Find more information here.
Cobble Hey Farm Walk (2.5 miles)
Last but not least, this walk starts and finishes at the historic Cobble Hey Farm, which has been farming sheep and cattle for over 150 years. The farm gardens were opened to the public in 2002, and there’s also a cosy tea room where you can treat yourself to tea and cake after your walk! The farm is a haven for birds, with lapwing, curlew and redshank regularly breeding in the surrounding fields.
The route is marked part of the way by some pretty stone markers decorated with carvings of the local wildlife. From the farm, the route takes you through the village of Calder Vale and into the pretty woodland, where bluebells and other wildflowers bloom in the spring. Find more information on the walk here.
Trough of Bowland Walk (8.5 miles)
This is a long but beautiful circular walk, perfect for enjoying these remote valleys and perhaps indulging in a spot of birdwatching. Owls often nest along these paths. The scenery is peaceful and varied, with the route takings you through woodland, along the bank of the River Dunlop and across the dramatic slopes of Whin Fell.
There are good, clear paths for most of this walk, although the majority of them are on tarmac. To add a bit more variety, you can veer off route and follow the riverside track from Langdon. There is also a picnic stop on the route, and the start and finish points - the village of Dunsop Bridge - has a charming post office and tea shop, perfect for taking the weight off your feet. Find more information about the walk here.
Of course, this is just the start. You can discover even more walking routes on the Forest of Bowland website. Or for more walking ideas around our other sites, don’t miss these blogs about walks around Exmoor in Somerset.
After a long day exploring, there’s nothing like returning to your cosy, comfortable luxury tent. Kick off your walking boots, light the fire and pour yourself a glass of wine as you watch the stars appear. Click here to see how you can spend a long weekend at our Lancashire Site, or book your next stay today.