Best walks near Blackpool by train

Blackburn Station to Rishton Station (Lancashire)

45m direct from Blackpool North.

A largely urban route that is mostly along the canal towpath, avoiding a nasty motorway roundabout. The towpath is gravel or degraded tarmac with a couple of uneven patches; there are some interesting old mills and but a lot of pylons and nearby roads. Some interesting old mills along the towpath. Dragonflies and a weasel were seen.

7km.

There are cycle barriers and a couple of uneven patches on the towpath. Leaving the towpath in Blackburn involves an unavoidable kerb and a cobblestone roadway.

Lunch: A cafe at Home Bargains in the retail park near the midpoint (accessed via steps).

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Church and Oswaldtwistle Station to Accrington Station (Lancashire)

1h direct from Blackpool North.

A short, direct and predominantly off-road walk along the Hyndburn Greenway, a tree-covered former railway track bed (part of National Cycle Route 6) following the train line. Even, good-condition surface with lighting; some noticeable gradients joining and leaving the old railway formation and but no restrictive barriers. A short graffitied underpass passes below the active railway.

2km.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Lancaster Station to Carnforth Station (Lancashire)

45m from Blackpool North, with one change.

the magnificent Lune Aqueduct; a canalside view of the sea, with mountains beyond. A long but very easy route, canal towpath nearly all the way, with short street sections at each end and no stiles, gates or steps. The towpath contours above the Lune valley over the magnificent Lune Aqueduct; surface is tarmac (partly broken) or fine gravel and lumpy in places with a couple of short muddy patches and a short cobbled section. Views across the fields, Morecambe Bay and the Lakeland hills; kingfishers sometimes seen. Cafés at St John's Hospice (Lancaster end) and a shoreside café and micropub at Hest Bank.

14km. Moderate ascents.

The towpath surface is lumpy where the tarmac has disintegrated, with a couple of slightly muddy patches.

Lunch: Canalside pubs and a supermarket at Bolton-le-Sands and a canalside pub at Hest Bank.

End-of-walk reward: the Canal Turn.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Kirkham and Wesham Station to Preston Station (Lancashire)

15m direct from Blackpool North.

A route using quiet roads (with pavements until past Treales) for the first third and the Lancaster Canal towpath for most of the rest and generally very pleasant though the first canal section can be very muddy after rain. A flight of shallow steps down to the towpath; the canal becomes more urban approaching Preston. Passes the entrance to the Millennium Ribble Link, a canalised river opened in 2002 connecting the Lancaster Canal to the River Ribble; detour possible at Haslam Park.

14km.

The first stretch of the canal path can be very muddy after rain. The first half of the canal is within the emergency zone for the Westinghouse nuclear fuel works (test siren on the first Tuesday of certain months).

Lunch stops: the Hand and Dagger, or the Final Whistle cafe.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Preston Station to Blackburn Station (Lancashire)

30m direct from Blackpool North.

A long route with a very enjoyable, good-surfaced opening section to Bamber Bridge and with a minor road to cross and a narrow 62 cm gap. Avenham Park near the start has free toilets.

20km.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Preston Station to Bamber Bridge Station (Lancashire)

30m direct from Blackpool North.

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 Chorley Station (Lancashire)

30m direct from Blackpool North.

A varied walk using footpaths and roads through good countryside, with a fair few stiles, steps and muddy sections, passing through parkland, woods and over fields, crossing the M6 on a bridge. Some unpaved rural roads and a stretch of busy main road and plus a steep drop on sloping steps and a wooded valley edge. Passes through Worden Park and Astley Park; note Worden Park is locked at sunset. Astley Hall has toilets and a cafe in the old stables.

Easy: 9km, moderate ascents.

A stretch of busy main road into Euxton, though paved. A field footpath leaves the road on the outside of a bend from the non-pavement side, making it difficult to cross, though traffic lights under a narrow railway bridge help. Several stiles and muddy sections.

Lunch stop: Astley Hall cafe.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Blackburn Station to Whalley Station (Lancashire)

45m direct from Blackpool North.

A wheel-friendly route on good surfaces through the centre and suburbs of Blackburn, where cars often park partly on the pavement and opening into more interesting countryside with improving views after Ramsgreave & Wilpshire. Passes Ramsgreave & Wilpshire and Langho stations, useful for doing only part of the walk; also served by several buses.

11km.

Take care crossing Ribchester Road near the Wilpshire Hotel, where a sweeping filter lane carries traffic at speed.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Adlington Station to Blackrod Station (Lancashire)

45m direct from Blackpool North.

A safe walk mostly on good paths, with footpaths ranging from residential pavement and cobbles to compacted earth, gravel and pasture, plus a section parallel to the noisy motorway. Includes stiles, kissing gates, five-barred gates and a steep stepped railway bridge and some areas prone to mud. A shop on Market Street in Adlington for refreshments.

Tough: steep ascents. 5km.

A busy unlit road (the A6) has to be crossed, requiring patience at busy times. A small stream crossing where part of a bridge has washed away may be an issue after heavy rain. There is a steep stepped railway bridge with steps on both sides.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Westhoughton Station to Lostock Station (Lancashire)

1h direct from Blackpool North.

A short, direct but quite pavement-heavy route using footpaths and roads alongside the railway and with one earthen footpath that is muddy and narrow in places and runs around horse fields. Slightly uphill in parts. A worthwhile short detour onto the Rumworth Dam, with a narrow muddy path and kissing gate.

Easy: 3km, moderate ascents.

One footpath has a narrow, muddy section and a kissing gate.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Accrington Station to Hapton Station (Lancashire)

1h direct from Blackpool North.

Field and woodland paths with some good views either side of the A56 and plus a few muddy and potentially overgrown sections. Crosses the railway and motorway at the Hapton end. A short diversion to Huncoat from the roundabout near the middle gives access to a pub, a small supermarket and bus stops.

Tough: steep ascents. 6km.

There is a dodgy stile above the A56 where a leaning stone slab looks as if it could fall onto your foot. Take care at the level crossing near Hapton. Can be muddy.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Bamber Bridge Station to Blackburn Station (Lancashire)

45m from Blackpool North, with one change.

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