Best walks to or from Burnley Central

Burnley Central Station to Brierfield Station

A short, easy and flat route, almost entirely along the towpath of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, which feels surprisingly rural apart from some motorway noise. A tarmac path links the canal to each station and with a steps-or-ramp choice to reach the towpath. Enters the Brun Valley Forest Park near Burnley Central. Wildlife includes moorhens and orchids; benches about a third of the way along, but otherwise no facilities unless you leave the path at Barden Lane.

Easy: 4km, moderate ascents.

A cycle barrier near Brierfield station is only about 40cm wide at the top and around 1.5m high. The towpath under bridge 134 may be closed, but it is easy to cross over the top.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Hapton Station to Burnley Central Station

the magnificent viaduct leading to the station. A route mainly along the canal towpath, which feels almost rural despite frequent encounters with the railway and M65, plus a short wooded section towards Burnley. The canal passes through a tunnel, negotiated via cycle-track underpasses and with one slip-road crossing. The route passes an aqueduct over the motorway and a magnificent viaduct near Burnley. Some facilities at Rose Grove near the middle. Hapton is a request stop.

6km.

Motorway noise is significant at times. At one point the cycle track crosses a motorway slip road, but it is immediately after a roundabout with good visibility.

Lunch: Some facilities not far off route at Rose Grove, near the middle.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route