Walks you can reach from Rose Grove by train

Blackburn Station to Rishton Station (Lancashire)

15m direct from Rose Grove.

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

Todmorden Station to Hebden Bridge Station (Lancashire)

15m direct from Rose Grove.

A very enjoyable, direct and straightforward canal walk, almost entirely along the Rochdale Canal towpath following national cycle route 66. The terrain is nearly all level with a mostly gravel surface, though bridges and slopes past locks have cobbles and canal overflows run over cobbles across the towpath in several places. Tree cover gives a green-tunnel feel. Follows national cycle route 66 along the Rochdale Canal. Canalside interest: locks, houseboats, mileposts and stone bridges.

Easy: 7km, moderate ascents.

Canal overflows run over cobbles across the towpath in several places, with a raised plank alongside to keep feet dry.

Lunch: Refreshment opportunities along the canalside towards Hebden Bridge.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Blackburn Station to Whalley Station (Lancashire)

15m direct from Rose Grove.

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

Todmorden Station to Littleborough Station (Lancashire)

15m direct from Rose Grove.

The scenery was very pretty. Almost entirely along the Rochdale Canal towpath, crossing the Pennine summit, on pretty Millstone Grit bridges and lock walls. The towpath has puddles and a few cobbled, cambered or planked sections, plus a wooded and muddy final stretch to Todmorden station. Follows the Rochdale Canal (including its summit) and is part of the National Cycle Network. Waterfalls tumble down the hills either side of the canal; an air vent for the railway Summit Tunnel can be spotted.

Easy: 9km, moderate ascents.

One tricky stretch of towpath under the A58 Halifax Road and up the side of Durn Lock is cambered, sloping and cobbled. The wooded final section to Todmorden station can be muddy with planks across it.

Lunch stop: the Summit Inn.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Littleborough Station to Marsden Station (Lancashire)

30m direct from Rose Grove.

Tough: steep ascents. 16km.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Bamber Bridge Station to Blackburn Station (Lancashire)

15m direct from Rose Grove.

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)

15m direct from Rose Grove.

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 Rose Grove.

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

Church and Oswaldtwistle Station to Accrington Station (Lancashire)

7m direct from Rose Grove.

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

Hapton Station to Burnley Central Station (Lancashire)

3m direct from Rose Grove.

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

Burnley Central Station to Brierfield Station (Lancashire)

6m direct from Rose Grove.

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

Brierfield Station to Nelson Station (Lancashire)

15m direct from Rose Grove.

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