GrandGrandTheThe tourtour ofof
CycleCycle RouteRoute Pendle is a wild and hilly district but it does have a gentle side.
The ‘Grand Tour of Pendle’ Cycle Route will take you through rugged Pennine moorland, and on towards the rural splendour of the Ribble Valley before returning amidst the industrial heritage of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal Corridor.
Almost entirely on quiet roads, the tour is a challenging ride for all but the fittest cyclists with stunning views and plenty of places to stop and take in the local atmosphere.
Designed to be completed over two days, there are lots of places to spend the night and, since it is circular, there are a number of options for start and finish points.
Keen cyclists might want to complete the entire route in a day but there are also shorter options.
The route described in this booklet starts at Colne Railway Station. It is easy to get to by rail from Preston, and sits close to the end of the M65 with ample parking available. There is a sports centre next to the station for those who want to indulge in a dip after a long day in the saddle.
Distance: 35 miles Total ascent/descent: 4,286 ft Highest point: 1,153 ft
This route is not intended for beginners. There are some steep climbs and the route is high and exposed in places. Some spare food, a basic cycle toolkit, a waterproof and a bit of common sense will go a long way to ensuring that you have a great ride. section 1
Colne to Trawden
1 Colne to Trawden
Approx distance 5 miles. NCN 68 Pennine Cycleway
BARROWFORD COLNE
Pendle Discover Herritage Centre Pendle FOX’S CYCLES START (01282) 863017 Centre RAILWAY STATION
M65 A682 Lord Rodney
COLNE DETAIL To Wycoller Country Park
Way and Cafe vary 68 Vi A60
S
Sports m
Hall i TRAWDEN t h
S t. Shaw Sreet . Da B6250 s St.W m S Cros ide 13
. d R s e h c Memorial n e L
Shellfield Lane
Leeds & Liverpool Canal Walton Spire
Boulsworth Hill Leaving Colne 2 section 1 NCN 68 Pennine Cycleway
BARROWFORD COLNE
Pendle Discover Herritage Centre Pendle FOX’S CYCLES START (01282) 863017 Centre RAILWAY STATION
M65 A682 Lord Rodney
COLNE DETAIL To Wycoller Country Park and Cafe TRAWDEN
B6250
13
Memorial
Starting the Journey Shellfield Lane
Leeds & Liverpool Canal Walton Spire
Boulsworth Hill Pendle Hill dominates the landscape 3 Colne to Trawden
Route description
From Colne Railway Station follow the cycle path signed Thursden and Hebden Bridge past the front of the Sports Centre.
Cross the main road at the controlled crossing and head down the steep cobbled Smith Street opposite following the NCN 68 signs.
Turn left at the T-junction on to Shaw Street and follow the road past the Lord Rodney pub and across the cobbled bridge.
Climb very steeply up Lenches Road for about half a mile before meeting Knotts Lane.
Turn left and continue climbing until you reach the summit crossroads at Clarion House. This Clarion House was built a century ago by the Nelson Labour Party (ILP) and is the only one left in the country.
Turn left down Shelfield Lane towards Trawden and continue to the T-junction
4 section 2
Trawden to Earby
5 Trawden to Earby
Approx distance 7 miles.
EARBY
m Bleara Road 9 5 3
R Traffic free cycling in West Craven O O M
K Stunning views over Kelbrook Moor O O R B L Hare & Hounds Pub E K Alma Inn
TRAWDEN Lothersdale Lane Long Lane A6068
B61250
Keighley Road Ballgrove nature reserve Laneshaw Bridge
To Haworth
To Wycoller Country Park 6 section 2
EARBY
m Bleara Road Leaving Earby for Salterforth 9 5 3
R O O M
K O O R B L Hare & Hounds Pub E K Alma Inn
TRAWDEN Lothersdale Lane Long Lane A6068
B61250
Keighley Road Ballgrove nature reserve Laneshaw Bridge
To Haworth
To Wycoller Country Park 7 Colne to Trawden
Route description Trawden to Laneshaw Bridge
Turn right and then immediately left in the village and follow the road downhill past the Trawden Arms.
Take a right turn at the war memorial into Keighley Road and start to climb steeply until the road levels out near the recreation ground.
Continue past the right turning signed for Wycoller (unless you want to visit this beautiful village of course) and take the next turning on the right, again called Keighley Road.
The road soon starts to go downhill past farms and houses until it meets School Lane.
Now in Laneshaw Bridge, turn left over the bridge and continue across the main road up Emmott Lane.
Laneshaw Bridge to Earby
As the road levels and bears to the left before the Alma Inn, take the right turn down Long Lane.
Turn right at the T-junction and climb steadily up Lothersdale Lane. Follow the lane past the Hare and Hounds Inn and down a long descent before climbing again.
Before the summit turn left on to Bleara Road which begins to descend steadily towards Earby. As the road begins to level out, turn left immediately after the Country Holidays mill building and rise slightly to the White Lion Inn.
Bear left into Green End Road and follow to the field gate at the end. Turn right here into the traffic-free Rostle Top Road and continue until you meet the ‘no entry’ signs. Turn left then right into Linden Road and on to the junction with the main road.
8 section 3
Earby to Barnoldswick
9 Earby to Barnoldswick
Approx distance 5 miles.
l Canal
Leeds and Liverpoo
Greenberfield Locks - A great place to visit Taking it easy in Barnoldswick Greenberfield Locks P
B6231
Brogden Hill
Mining Museum Bancroft Mill Museum Youth Hostel (with cycling facilities)
Red Lion Pub Bruffy’s Bikes (01282) 813308 EARBY BARNOLDSWICK B6231
A56
SALTERFORTH WEETS HILL 397m Anchor Inn
10 section 3 l Canal
Salterforth detail
Rainhall Crescent
Leeds and Liverpoo
l
a
n
a
C
l
o o
p
r
e
v
i
Greenberfield Locks L
& P s d e B6231 e
L ad Ro by ar Salterforth E
Spen Head Farm Earby detail Brogden Hill
Earby Ch G ape Stoney Mining reenen l St d Bank Rd Museum Lo Rd. Rarke Bank ng royd . Farm Bancroft Mill Museum Ro Rd. Mill Linden stle Top Rd Youth Hostel Rd. . (with cycling facilities) Fire Station rth rfo lte Picnic Site Sa ad Red Lion Pub Ro Bruffy’s Bikes (01282) 813308 Sough
Colne Road EARBY Shuttleworth Moor BARNOLDSWICK B6231
A56
SALTERFORTH WEETS HILL 397m Anchor Inn
11 Earby to Barnoldswick
Route description
Earby to Salterforth
Turn right onto the main road or use the controlled crossing and then into Salterforth Road opposite the Station Hotel.
Follow the road, climbing gently past a housing estate before levelling out in open country and descending into Salterforth Village.
Salterforth to Barnoldswick
Cross the main road, into Salterforth Lane, turning right into the car park before you reach the Canal Bridge.
If you want to cut the journey short, simply turn left and take the towpath south to Foulridge before following NCN68 signs back to Colne and the Railway Station.
To continue, keep right and go through the cycle gate following the Leeds & Liverpool canal towpath past Cockshott Bridge until you meet Long Ing Lane in Barnoldswick.
Go right here then right again into Rainhall Crescent as the road bears to the left. Follow the Crescent and turn left at the T-juntion along Ben Lane.
Cross the Main Road into Coats Lane and continue over the Canal Bridge. Turn left at the next junction into Greenberfield Lane and follow the narrow lane to Gisburn Road.
12 section 4
Barnoldswick to Sabden Fold
13 Barnoldswick to Sabden Fold
Approx distance 11 miles. Whytha Road A682
Whytha Farm MIDDOP HILL TWISTON
PENDLE HILL TO DOWNHAM
Four Lane Ends
Anell Cross Moor
WEETS HILL arley Lane
B LOWER BLACK Bruffy’s Bikes MOSS RESERVOIR (01282) 813308
BARNOLDSWICK BARLEY B6231 Pendle Inn P Newchurch - historic village with links to the Pendle Witches
Wellhead Road NEWCHURCH
14 Whytha Road section A682 4
Whytha Farm MIDDOP HILL TWISTON
PENDLE HILL TO DOWNHAM
Four Lane Ends
Anell Cross Moor
WEETS HILL arley Lane
B LOWER BLACK Bruffy’s Bikes MOSS RESERVOIR (01282) 813308
BARNOLDSWICK BARLEY B6231 Pendle Inn P
Wellhead Road NEWCHURCH Along the Gated Whytha Road Croft Lane near Sadben Fold 15 Barnoldswick to Sabden Fold
Route description
Barnoldswick to Twiston
Cross Gisburn Road into Brogden Lane and on into open country. After a mile or two of steady riding, the lane bears left and climbs steadily before a slight descent towards the main road.
Go straight across here and into the gated Whytha Road. Descending steadily, the road passes through a farm gate at Middop Hall before entering a dip with a short steep climb out.
Pass through another farm gate and continue on the narrow lane, past two roads to the right. After half a mile a steep desent brings you to Twiston Lane.
Twiston to Barley
Turn left through Twiston, climbing steadily at first before the road gets steeper towards the crossroads at Annel Cross.
Carry straight on along Barley Lane and down the long descent in to Barley Village.
Barley to Newchurch
Turn left by the picnic site on to The Avenue. The level road gives way to a gentle descent after a mile to meet a crossroads.
Take the right turn here onto Jinny Lane. A short climb soon levels off before a steeper climb into Newchurch Village.
Newchurch to Sabden Fold
In the village turn left and then take the next right into Well Head Road. After climbing gently for about half a mile, there is a steep descent into Sabden Fold followed by a short stiff climb.
16 section 5
Sabden Fold to Colne
17 Sabden Fold to Colne
Approx distance 7 miles. Alkincoats nature reserve
Vivary Way Discover Pendle Pendle Heritage Centre Centre Greenfield nature reserve
Greenfield Road Whitewalls Drive COLNE Wheatley Lane Road with 5 miles to go BARROWFORD Jinny Lane
NEWCHURCH A682
Wellhead Road Whytha Farm CARR HALL
Sparrow Hawk Pub NELSON
SABDEN FOLD WHEATLEY LANE 13 LOCKS Carr Hall Road
Nelson detail
. Victoria Park Harpers Inn Wheatley Lane Rd
Barrowford Rd.
Carr Rd FENCE Ca k r ar r Hall Rd P letics track h . oria A6068 ct At Vi . M65
Water Pendle al an Lomeshaye l C rpoo ve Li M65 & ds Traffic free riding through Victoria Park Lee 18 Leeds and Liverpool Canal section 5 Alkincoats nature reserve
Vivary Way Discover Pendle Pendle Heritage Centre Centre Greenfield nature reserve
BARROWFORD Greenfield Road Whitewalls Drive COLNE Jinny Lane
NEWCHURCH A682
Wellhead Road Whytha Farm CARR HALL
Sparrow Hawk Pub NELSON
SABDEN FOLD WHEATLEY LANE 13 LOCKS Carr Hall Road
Nelson detail
Victoria Park Harpers Inn FENCE A6068 M65
Leeds and Liverpool Canal 19 Sabden Fold to Colne
Route description Sabden Fold to Wheatley Lane
As the road levels out, take the left turn into Croft Lane. A short steady climb soon gives way to a flowing descent before meeting Hoggarth Road. Turn left here and continue past Heights Lane on your left before turning right into Harpers Lane and into Wheatley Lane Village.
Wheatley Lane to Carr Hall
Turn left at the bottom of the lane on to Wheatley Lane Road and continue down through the village. Beyond the village the road levels and passes the Sparrow Hawk Inn before a short climb. Near the summit of the climb take the right turn into Carr Hall Road and descend with the Deer Park on your right. Cross the main road and continue down Carr Hall Road. Turn right at the bottom of the hill into Park Avenue and immediately left into the park on the signed cycle path.
Carr Hall to Nelson
Follow the path across the bridge and keep left. Cross Carr Road into the park again and follow the path past the running track to meet Surrey Road. Turn right through the subway and onto the cobbled street. Continue uphill towards Nelson, turning right onto Norfolk Street before the Canal Bridge.
Nelson to Barrowford Locks
Join the canal towpath on your left after 50 yards and keep left, heading for Colne. Follow the towpath out of Nelson and into open country near Swinden Bridge. Cross the bridge and keep to the towpath until you reach Barrowford Locks.
Barrowford Locks to Colne
Turn right at the second lock and follow the signed NCN 68 route to Colne. Follow Greenfield Road down past a row of houses and bear left up a short hill before levelling off and meeting a main road. Cross the main road onto a short cycle path before meeting Greenfield Road again. Follow the NCN68 signs towards Colne before turning left and climbing steeply up Bank Field Street. Turn right onto Cross Street West then left at the end onto Leach Street. Take the cycle path to the right that leads you back to the train station, and the end of your journey.
20 Attractions and Accommodation
There is a great range of attractions and quality accommodation in Pendle. Details are in the Free Pendle Visitor Guide available from the Discover Pendle Centre. For information call 01282 856186, e-mail: [email protected] or visit www.visitpendle.com
Cycling in Pendle
Pendle is a good place for cyclists of all abilities. There are free leaflets available with details of easy rides for novices to more demanding routes. The Annual Cycle Festival combines elite level racing with guided rides and family friendly events. To find out more about Cycling in Pendle contact the Cycling Officer on 01282 661051 and for cycling in Lancashire visit www.lancashire.gov.uk/ cycling
The route was compiled by Chris Wilding.
21 The ‘Grand Tour of Pendle’ Cycle Route will take you through rugged Pennine moorland, and on towards the rural splendour of the Ribble Valley before returning amidst the industrial heritage of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal Corridor.
The Lake District The M6 Yorkshire Dales North Yorkshire Moors le nd York e P M6 Colne A1 M55 Nelson Blackpool M65 Hull Leeds Preston M66 M61 M62
Manchester M1 Liverpool M60 M60 Sheeld M56 The Peak District Chester M6
www.visitpendle.com Produced by Colne Cycle Campaign in partnership with Pendle Borough Council Engineering and Special Projects. Designed in house by the Communications Team at Pendle Borough Council. Published and promoted by Economic Development and Tourism. Photography by John Mills at Sunrise Photography. ijb_2724 10/09