Best walks near Burnley by train

Church and Oswaldtwistle Station to Accrington Station (Lancashire)

15m direct from Burnley Central.

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

Blackburn Station to Rishton Station (Lancashire)

30m direct from Burnley Central.

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

Brierfield Station to Nelson Station (Lancashire)

4m direct from Burnley Central.

A short, mostly flat and accessible route along the canal towpath and with a tarmacked footpath and short stretches of pavement at either end. The towpath is pleasant and interesting; there are several cycle barriers about 1.5m high. The towpath passes converted mills and several colourful mosaic panels of local scenes. There is significant noise from the M65, though mostly screened by woods.

2km.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Accrington Station to Hapton Station (Lancashire)

9m direct from Burnley Central.

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

Rishton Station to Church and Oswaldtwistle Station (Lancashire)

30m direct from Burnley Central.

A short, pleasant route that leaves the residential edges of the towns to join the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, with a very good and well-drained tarmac towpath and expansive views east towards Pendle Hill. The constant drone of the M65 motorway is ever-present along the canal. The towpath crosses the Dunkenhalgh Aqueduct over the M65.

Easy: 2km, moderate ascents.

A barrier and slope at the canal bridge, plus width-restricted barriers along the route.

Lunch stop: Canal View Cafe.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Blackburn Station to Whalley Station (Lancashire)

30m direct from Burnley Central.

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

Bamber Bridge Station to Blackburn Station (Lancashire)

30m direct from Burnley Central.

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 Blackburn Station (Lancashire)

30m direct from Burnley Central.

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)

45m direct from Burnley Central.

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

Whalley Station to Clitheroe Station (Lancashire)

45m from Burnley Central, with one change.

impressive views; a lovely view towards Great Mitton. A pleasant route on generally good path surfaces, dropping down to the River Ribble and the Ribble Way and then crossing fields with some muddy patches towards a viaduct and into Whalley. Mostly clear footpaths with narrow bridges and tight kissing gates; some tree roots cross the path. Follows the Ribble Way for part of the route. A Snack Shed honesty cafe at Shuttleworth Farm takes cash or contactless. Toilets in the park at the Clitheroe end. Excellent shops, pubs and cafes at both ends.

9km.

A brief stretch on the B6243 Edisford Road can be busy; use the pedestrian crossing. Some fields are very muddy after rain.

Lunch: An honesty Snack Shed cafe at Shuttleworth Farm where the route leaves the Ribble Way (cash or contactless).

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Kirkham and Wesham Station to Preston Station (Lancashire)

1h from Burnley Central, with one change.

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

Blackburn Station to Darwen Station (Lancashire)

30m direct from Burnley Central.

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