Walks you can reach from Hall i' th' Wood by train
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Blackburn Station to Rishton Station (Lancashire)
30m direct from Hall i' th' Wood.
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)
30m direct from Hall i' th' Wood.
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
Whalley Station to Clitheroe Station (Lancashire)
45m direct from Hall i' th' Wood.
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
Bamber Bridge Station to Blackburn Station (Lancashire)
30m direct from Hall i' th' Wood.
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 Hall i' th' Wood.
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
Blackburn Station to Darwen Station (Lancashire)
15m direct from Hall i' th' Wood.
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
Bolton Station to Farnworth Station (Lancashire)
5m direct from Hall i' th' Wood.
A largely green urban walk using the Darcy Lever Viaduct disused railway line and Moses Gate Country Park, on a mix of good paths, pavements and quiet access roads. A long muddy section between Hall Lane and Hacken Bridge Road and with steep steps up to Bolton station. The route passes through Moses Gate Country Park, between artificial lakes, and uses the former railway over the magnificent Darcy Lever Viaduct (now a walking and cycling route, caged in).
5km.
A long muddy section between Hall Lane and Hacken Bridge Road that may be worse after a wet winter (fairly solid under the mud). A short stretch of the busy A6053 Hall Lane, crossed at a pelican crossing, and steep steps up to the Bolton meeting point.
Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route
Salford Crescent Station to Manchester Oxford Road Station (Lancashire)
15m direct from Hall i' th' Wood.
A largely off-road, well-paved city walk through Peel Park and a lengthy stretch following the River Irwell, before climbing into central Manchester via ginnels, squares and pedestrianised streets. Surfaces are tarmac or tightly packed throughout and but several flights of steps make it a foot-only route. Heron and cormorant can be seen along the Irwell. Peel Park is claimed to be the world's first public park.
0km.
Multiple flights of steps. Some passages (notably the gated, glass-atrium passage near the Central Library) are closed at night, so it's best done in daylight. Continual city-centre building works can impede progress.
Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route
Lostock Station to Bolton Station (Lancashire)
5m direct from Hall i' th' Wood.
An excellent, varied route: a surfaced track tucked between Middle Brook and the railway, then through impressive Queen's Park along the River Croal, a large spacious cemetery with good valley views and the historic centre of Bolton. A flight of steps down to the railside track. Follows the Community Rail Trail between Wigan and Bolton, through Queen's Park (cafe and toilets), past the Victorian Dobson Bridge, and through Heaton Cemetery (stated opening times). Passes several of Bolton's grand buildings including the Town Hall and art gallery.
Easy: 6km, moderate ascents.
An unavoidable flight of steps down to the path beside the railway (a step-free bridge alternative is unconfirmed). The pavement at the top of White Lion Brow has three steps and an awkward junction.
Lunch: A cafe and toilets in Queen's Park.
Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route
Swinton (Manchester) Station to Salford Crescent Station (Lancashire)
15m direct from Hall i' th' Wood.
A largely green urban route on pavements, paved paths, alleyways and park tracks, all on hard surfaces. Steers away from the busier roads where possible and using safe underpasses to cross the A580. Includes a pleasant stretch through Buile Hill Park.
6km.
Take care crossing Wellington Road, where sight lines along Swinton Hall Road are blocked by a house on the corner.
Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route
Eccles Station to Salford Crescent Station (Lancashire)
15m direct from Hall i' th' Wood.
A decent urban route, mostly on pavement past shops, with a gradual uphill section and a stretch through Buile Hill Park on wide tarmac paths. Generally accessible and though pavement parking and informal crossings can hamper passage.
Easy: 5km, moderate ascents.
Lunch: Many shops along the way.
Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route
Entwistle Station Circular via Turton Tower (Lancashire)
15m direct from Hall i' th' Wood.
West Pennine Moors circular on the Witton Weavers Way, past a string of reservoirs, into the steep-sided Turton Bottoms valley and Grade I-listed Turton Tower. Rich in industrial heritage and birdlife.
13km.
A few short steep ascents.
Highlights: Turton Tower (A Grade I-listed manor house built around a medieval peel tower).