Bowland by Bike The area includes a network of Quiet Lanes. These are Maps Beautiful unspoilt countryside, picturesque villages, a network of minor rural roads that are appropriate for All of the routes except dramatic open moorland incised by steep valleys, and shared use by walkers, cyclists, horse riders and the Lune Valley can be outstanding scenery - all waiting to be explored. motorised users as they already have low levels of followed using the OS And what better way to do it than by bike. Silently traffic travelling at low speeds. The pilot network has Outdoor Leisure 41, travelling around this area of sublime beauty under been established on the lanes around Chipping and Forest of Bowland map. your own power, coming across hidden gems around Slaidburn along with one from Downham to Worston. The Lune Valley route is every corner, this truly is a spectacular area for biking More information and a map of Quiet Lanes in on OS Landranger 97, enthusiasts of all types and levels. Lancashire can be seen at Kendal & Morecambe www.lancashire.gov.uk/environment/policyandquality map. Fully detailed maps /quiet.asp of each route can be With cycling one of the best forms of physical Quiet Lanes is an initiative that has been developed viewed at exercise around, this whole area must surely be the by the Countryside Agency and local authorities. For www.pennineevents.co.uk best gym in the country! further information see www.quiet-lanes.gov.uk No two routes are alike in terms of scenery, Key Cycle route North Lancashire Bridleway (phase 1). Town attractions and physical effort. Only by trying them all, This is a new trail running for 45km from Denny Beck P Parking over whatever period you like, will you ever really get in Lancaster through the verdant, fertile lands of the Public House to know and delight in this area of grandeur and Lune Valley and across the wild Bowland fells to Refreshments mystery. Chipping. The route features over 6km of new Toilets Tw o of the routes can only be done on concessionary bridleways combined with existing mountain-bikes (Gisburn Forest and Salter Fell). ' Countryside Agency Charlie Hadley rights of way. It is on a mixture of surface tracks, Route direction This leaflet details eleven recommended cycle routes fields and quiet lanes and is clearly waymarked. in and around the Forest of Bowland Area of A waterproof leaflet is available free from Lancashire Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) covers 802sq. km Countryside Service on 01772 534709 or email of rural north-east Lancashire and North Yorkshire. [email protected] It is an area of national and international importance Public Transport because of its unspoiled and richly diverse landscapes For general public transport information contact and wildlife. For further information about the area see Traveline - 0870 6082608. www.forestofbowland.com Large tracts of the moorland are now designated Open Access land, on foot. For more information on where you can go and what local restrictions may ' Countryside Agency Charlie Hadley apply see www.countrysideaccess.gov.uk or call the Access helpline on 0845 100 3298. The area is easily reached from all sides, either by road (off the M6, M65, A59 or A65) or rail (Clitheroe, Colne, Long Preston, Garstang, Lancaster stations are all on or near these routes). 9km 1hr 1 MTB Hilly 12.5km 1 /2hrs Gisburn Forest 15.7km 2hrs Bowland by Bike The largest forest in Lancashire, rising up above Toilets & Refreshments Route Finding Stocks Reservoir to the North Yorkshire border. It has Unfortunately there are Following the trails is easy as they are all waymarked. a well-earned reputation as a centre for outdoor no toilet or refreshment They are best done in an anti-clockwise direction. activities. With its network of tracks it is very popular facilities in Gisburn This means that 500m from the car-park (after two with mountain-bikers of all levels. Forest. There is a pub in 90o turns) you should ignore the waymarks turning There are three specific waymarked cycle routes Tosside and a pub, left but instead follow the waymarks straight ahead established by Forest Enterprise. These are a mix of toilets, village store and to start the loop. forest track and single-track. The longest route tearoom in Slaidburn. Other Information includes some interesting technical challenges. It is Slaidburn Link Mountain-bike hire is available from Bowland also becoming a popular night-riding area. At the time of writing Cycle Hire. They are located at Higher Highfield Start & Finish Point there are plans to Farm approx midway between Slaidburn and the Cocklet Hill car-park, Gisburn Forest upgrade an existing Forest. Contact 01200 446670. Grid Ref: 745550. footpath from Slaidburn Arriving by Train/Bus to the Forest to a The nearest stations are Clitheroe (16km), Long bridleway as part of the Preston (12km) and Clapham (14km). Greenways project. See The ‘hail and ride’ bus service – the Bowland Transit – www.quiet-lanes.gov.uk runs from the Clitheroe station to Slaidburn and for latest information. Settle, passing close to the Forest. General Arriving by Car You have a choice of Gisburn Forest lies just to the north of the Slaidburn – three waymarked trails to Tosside – Wigglesworth road. It can also be follow. The shortest one approached via Bolton by Bowland. It is signposted has relatively little from all these locations. climbing and is not very Park in the first car-park you come to (arriving from technical. The longest the south), called Cocklet Hill. one not only has the most climbing in it but also more single-track, including some exciting descents through the trees. They all give great views across the forest and upper Hodder valley to the Dunsop and Waddington Fells. All maps in this booklet contain Ordnance Survey material with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office © Crown Copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown Copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Lancashire County Council Licence No. 100023320 2005 49km 3~4hrs Third off road Two thirds on road; MTB necessary Salter Fell - Cross O'Greets Circuit Bowland by Bike A wonderful way of experiencing the grandeur and General isolated, route finding is straightforward. Other Information isolation of the high moorland of the northern An elongated elliptical 4. The highest point on this section. There is a Youth Hostel Bowland block. Top and tailed by two quintessential tour heading north-west 5. Straight through the gate onto the tarmac lane. and Heritage Centre in Bowland villages of Slaidburn and Wray this circuit is across Croasdale and Follow the lane. Slaidburn and Mytton equally demanding and exhilarating in parts but never Salter Fell on a track on 6. Turn right (signpost to Wray). Follow down into Crafts Farm 3km away dull. A key feature is the off-road crossing of Salter the route of a Roman the village to a T-junction. You may want to (on the route). Fell using sections of the old Roman road, the former Road and then south-east explore the village. Slaidburn can be traced medieval “King’s Highway” between Clitheroe and on one of the highest 7. Turn right and follow the road (signpost to back to a medieval Lancaster! roads in the county. Bentham and Lowgill) - also the Lancashire settlement. A courtroom Start & Finish Points The off-road track is on a Cycleway (northern section, NCN route 90), was established in the Choice of starting and finishing either in Slaidburn firm stone base for the which you follow all the way to Slaidburn, 26km Hark to Bounty pub in the (GR 714524) or Wray (GR 603677). most part and so can be away. The Cycleway is clearly signed at all the 1600s and remained The route is described as a clockwise circuit from ridden all year round. It is junctions. operational until the Slaidburn but there is little difference to the physical not too technically 8. The long climb up to Cross O'Greets takes you 1930s. demands whichever way round it is ridden. Comes demanding although you upto 428m above sea-level before the fast Wray – well-known in the down to whether you want to start or finish with the will use your granny ring descent on other side. county for the Wray off-roading. on some sections! 9. Left turn to the car-park and tea-room. Scarecrow festival. This It does therefore feature highly successful and Arriving by Train/Bus some tough and long popular festival takes Slaidburn – as for Gisburn Forest. climbs but the inspiring place over a week, Wray – the nearest station is Wennington 3km north and dramatic views culminating in a large fete of the village. This is on the Lancaster – Carnforth – across to the Lakeland on May Bank holiday. The Skipton line. Fells, Yorkshire Dales and village is decorated with Arriving by Car Lancashire make this very large numbers of Slaidburn is in the upper Hodder Valley approx 14km rewarding. elaborate and comical north of Clitheroe and can be reached via there, or Route Finding scarecrows made by the from Settle/N Yorkshire area, via Wigglesworth. There 1. Turn right - go local community. Bridge is a pay and display car-park in the village. straight through the End Tea rooms offer Wray is just east of the Lune Valley on the B6480 village following the refreshments. 8km west of Bentham. It can be reached from the brown sign for A683 between Lancaster and Ingleton. There is no Myttons Farm Crafts. car park so please park considerately in the village.