Walks you can reach from Ramsgreave and Wilpshire by train

Blackburn Station to Rishton Station (Lancashire)

6m direct from Ramsgreave and Wilpshire.

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

Settle Station to Hellifield Station (Yorkshire)

45m direct from Ramsgreave and Wilpshire.

The views are great - especially from the top of the hill. Climbs steadily out of Settle, the first kilometres uphill and quite steep but on tarmac and good tracks, then becomes a wide track over open moorland before descending towards Long Preston, finishing across lanes and fields. A few gates, no stiles and a lot of it is on old tarmacked tracks. Long Preston, about two thirds of the way, has pubs and a station, so the walk can be split there.

Tough: steep ascents. 9km.

Lunch: A couple of pubs at Long Preston, roughly two thirds of the way.

End-of-walk reward: the Black Horse.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Blackburn Station to Whalley Station (Lancashire)

6m direct from Ramsgreave and Wilpshire.

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)

8m direct from Ramsgreave and Wilpshire.

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

Hellifield Station to Gargrave Station (Yorkshire)

45m direct from Ramsgreave and Wilpshire.

A delightful walk; beautiful views in every direction; gorgeous route. A delightful walk on lovely old, open and wooded rural lanes, grass tracks, pasture and woodland, with only two short climbs and the rest level on good surfaces. One low-traffic tarmac section beside the River Otter; muddy and puddly in places after rain but never impassable, with a level crossing and a few stiles and kissing gates. Joins the Pennine Way before Gargrave. Otterburn and Bell Busk have no facilities; abundant wildlife including butterflies, curlews and a spotted flycatcher. Gargrave has shops, pubs, toilets, a railway station and buses.

10km.

There is a level crossing near the start, and Mark House Lane can become stony or stream-like in very wet weather.

Lunch: No facilities at Otterburn or Bell Busk midway; cafes, pubs and a shop at Gargrave.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Horton-in-Ribblesdale Station to Garsdale Station (Yorkshire)

1h direct from Ramsgreave and Wilpshire.

spectacular countryside.

Tough: 25km, steep ascents. 7h30.

Documented by Railwalks — download GPX route

Bamber Bridge Station to Blackburn Station (Lancashire)

6m direct from Ramsgreave and Wilpshire.

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)

6m direct from Ramsgreave and Wilpshire.

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

Horton-in-Ribblesdale Station to Settle Station (Yorkshire)

45m direct from Ramsgreave and Wilpshire.

so much on offer; an incredibly varied walk; the views down into Settle were excellent; the views looking down into Settle were a definite reward. A varied, mainly low-level walk following the River Ribble on grassy riverside paths, then quiet tarmac lanes with great valley views, low fell paths across fields and a section through historic limeworks. A short steep climb out of Langcliffe near the end. Underfoot includes kissing gates, stone and ladder stiles, narrow bridges and tree roots and steps; can be wet after rain. Follows the Ribble Way and partly the Pennine Bridleway, running between two stops on the scenic Settle–Carlisle Railway, which offers a convenient way back to the start. Stainforth Force waterfall is a short detour worth taking.

Tough: steep ascents. 11km.

A short stretch of the road to Helwith Bridge is used by quarry lorries, though a safe parallel path has been created. The riverside path has tricky stretches with tree roots and narrow bridges. A steep climb out of Langcliffe near the end. A few ladder stiles over walls.

Lunch: A cafe with bar at Little Stainforth and a pub at Helwith Bridge; pub and toilets at Stainforth; shops and cafes at the Settle end.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Bentham Station to Settle Station (Yorkshire)

45m direct from Ramsgreave and Wilpshire.

21km.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Ribblehead Station to Horton-in-Ribblesdale Station (Yorkshire)

1h direct from Ramsgreave and Wilpshire.

Both natural beauty and historical interest abound; the view back to Pen-y-ghent was really impressive. A valley walk that weaves from one side of the railway to the other, with enough height gained for good views. Field paths and limestone pavement and a stretch of B-road; a National Nature Reserve path that is stony and rough at times with stone paving across boggier sections. Gates including one with steps. Crosses a level crossing. Passes through the Wild Ingleborough National Nature Reserve, with wild flowers and moorland birds. Weaves across the Settle-Carlisle Railway and passes railway cottages, an old limekiln and a 17th-century farmhouse. An optional diversion via Alum Pot crosses private land with a suggested honesty-box donation.

Easy: 10km, moderate ascents.

Care needed on the busy B-road from Ribblehead towards Selside, with several stretches lacking verges or shoulders.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Blackburn Station to Darwen Station (Lancashire)

6m direct from Ramsgreave and Wilpshire.

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