Best walks from Bamber Bridge

Bamber Bridge Station to Blackburn Station

some spectacular scenery through Hoghton and Pleasington. A mostly picturesque and enjoyable route with wide views across Lancashire's hills, including a gorgeous descent to Hoghton Bottoms and a section through Witton Country Park. Fields can be very waterlogged and parts (especially around gates) exceptionally muddy after wet weather; a mossy ford and stepping stones to cross and plus some steep sections and two railway level crossings. Includes a 1.5km detour to use the next footbridge after the collapsed bridge over the River Darwen at Hoghton Bottoms; passes through Witton Country Park.

16km. Moderate ascents.

Two railway level crossings (at Gregson Lane and Hoghton); careful navigation needed through the fields at Gregson Lane. The road at Butler's Bridge can be very busy (a playing field alongside avoids it). Some steep sections. Can be muddy.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Preston Station to Bamber Bridge Station

spectacular views on the disused railway bridge of River Ribble. A largely traffic-free route along a cycle path on a former railway line, through pleasant wooded landscape and with the final 1.5km into Bamber Bridge on roads. The surface is entirely smooth asphalt (a little slippery in frosty weather) and almost flat. A car-free underpass avoids the A6 roundabout. A replacement Tram Bridge over the River Ribble in Avenham Park is under construction (due spring 2026), with a diversion in place.

5km.

A cycle barrier at the path entrance is only 62cm wide. A short path up from the cycle track at the Preston end can be muddy; a slightly longer tarmac route avoids it.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Leyland Station to Bamber Bridge Station

A route using roads for all but the middle 20 percent — mainly suburban but including the busy A49 — almost all with pavements. The short rural section, well signposted, has electric fences narrowing the path (seasonal, for sheep), an insulated stile, an unpleasant combination of cut-back brambles and plank-covered mud and barbed-wire edging; the section beside the motorway is more pleasant despite the noise.

5km.

Around the A49 main road, busy but with a controlled crossing. The rural footpath has seasonal electric fences, an insulated stile, mud and barbed-wire edging. The Bamber Bridge end is at a level crossing.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route