Walks you can reach from Blackpool North by train

Poulton-le-Fylde Station to Kirkham and Wesham Station (Lancashire)

5m direct from Blackpool North.

15km. Gentle ascents.

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

St Annes-on-the-Sea Station to Kirkham and Wesham Station (Lancashire)

15m direct from Blackpool North.

A very road-based route, hard-surfaced throughout, with some quiet country roads without pavements and some nicer off-road sections along Green Drive and the promenade between Lytham and St Annes. The Fylde is low-lying and wet and so field footpaths are often wet and poorly maintained. A variation using roads to avoid the flooded footpath at Eastham Hall.

16km.

Some quiet country roads have no pavements, and busier roads have narrow pavements (about a metre wide).

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

Preston Station to Leyland Station (Lancashire)

30m direct from Blackpool North.

A mix of shared cycle paths along a former railway line, pavements, quiet country lanes and rougher rail-side field paths with livestock. The opening cycle track, raised above its surroundings, is popular and pleasant; the field paths hug the railway fence with stiles and a narrow gap between an electric fence and the railway fence. The first third is pleasant and the rest more tedious.

9km.

Steps and stiles make it foot-only. A field footpath south of the West Coast Main Line was guarded by horses and can be muddy. A narrow 50cm gap between an electric fence and the railway fence needs care.

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

Leyland Station to Bamber Bridge Station (Lancashire)

30m direct from Blackpool North.

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

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

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

Blackburn Station to Darwen Station (Lancashire)

45m direct from Blackpool North.

A largely pavement walk (around 80%) between two urban centres and passing through industrial areas and some neglected neighbourhoods with little greenery. Near the River Darwen the path can become impassable with dense scrub.

Tough: steep ascents. 7km.

Close to the River Darwen the route can be impassable with impenetrable scrub across the path, requiring a detour to rejoin further on.

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