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Choose Your Escape

Cycling

The quiet country lanes of the Forest of Bowland have made it a popular destination for touring cyclists. This 300 square mile Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is criss-crossed by a network of rural routes and bounded by National Cycle Network Routes 68, 69 and 90.

Hikers enjoying a picnic at Nicky Nook in the Forest of Bowland

Fields, Fells and Fabulous Food
Stretching from the high fells of the Bleasdale Horseshoe to the sharply etched ridge of Longridge Fell, the southwestern fringe of the Forest of Bowland combines striking scenery with rich farmland and superb local produce.
Dark night Skies with thousands of stas in the Forest of Bowland AONB

Gisburn Forest & Stocks Reservoir
From hiking and mountain biking to foraging and star-gazing, Gisburn Forest, in the Forest of Bowland National Landscape, is a hidden gem with more in common with the lochs and glens of the Scottish Highlands than the mill towns of urban Lancashire.
Mallowdale Fell above the wooded valley of Roeburndale in the Forest of Bowland

The Hidden Bowland Dales
This itinerary explores the exhilarating fell-walking opportunities of rugged scarps like Clougha Pike and Tarnbrook Fell and discovers the intimate valleys of Roeburndale, Hindburndale and Grizedale – which reveal a gentler side to the elemental upland landscapes of the Forest of Bowland.
The picturesque Dunsop Valley in the Forest of Bowland

Find the Centre of Great Britain
This itinerary takes you to the geographical centre of the British Isles and explores the beautiful landscapes and pretty villages of the Forest of Bowland on foot and by bike.
Cyclists riding over Cross of Greet in the Forest of Bowland

Classic Bowland Hillclimbs
This itinerary combines some of the Forest of Bowland’s iconic climbs in three classic routes which explore the highlights of this National Landscape in one long weekend. Together, they involve more than 3500 metres of ascent in just over 100 miles of cycling.
Cyclists beside the River Lune on a bike-packing tour of the Forest of Bowland

Bike-packing in Bowland
This 110-mile Bike-packing tour takes in the scenic highlights of the Forest of Bowland and visits many of the towns and villages in a meandering three-day tour of the National Landscape

Coast and Countryside
This varied itinerary criss-crosses the scenic Bentham Line railway, which hugs the Lancashire border across the northern boundary of the Forest of Bowland. The line links the iconic Lancashire seaside resort of Morecambe with the West Yorkshire city of Leeds, connecting villages and towns along the Wenning Valley between Wennington and the edge of the Yorkshire Dales at Giggleswick.
a family with dog walking towards the reservoir with red clouds and purple sky

Family-friendly adventures in Bowland
This itinerary starts in the market town of Clitheroe and heads straight out into the country lanes of the Forest of Bowland to the pretty village of Dunsop Bridge, where you can walk with alpacas and explore the beautiful Dunsop Valley on foot or by e-bike before heading to Bowland Wild Boar Park for a wide range of family-friendly activities.

Walking

The lonely fells and quiet valleys of the Forest of Bowland are a walkers’ paradise, with hundreds of miles of footpaths and trails just waiting to be explored. From easy forest rambles to challenging long distance treks, there’s a walk to suit all abilities.

Hikers enjoying a picnic at Nicky Nook in the Forest of Bowland

Fields, Fells and Fabulous Food
Stretching from the high fells of the Bleasdale Horseshoe to the sharply etched ridge of Longridge Fell, the southwestern fringe of the Forest of Bowland combines striking scenery with rich farmland and superb local produce.
Dark night Skies with thousands of stas in the Forest of Bowland AONB

Gisburn Forest & Stocks Reservoir
From hiking and mountain biking to foraging and star-gazing, Gisburn Forest, in the Forest of Bowland National Landscape, is a hidden gem with more in common with the lochs and glens of the Scottish Highlands than the mill towns of urban Lancashire.
Mallowdale Fell above the wooded valley of Roeburndale in the Forest of Bowland

The Hidden Bowland Dales
This itinerary explores the exhilarating fell-walking opportunities of rugged scarps like Clougha Pike and Tarnbrook Fell and discovers the intimate valleys of Roeburndale, Hindburndale and Grizedale – which reveal a gentler side to the elemental upland landscapes of the Forest of Bowland.
The picturesque Dunsop Valley in the Forest of Bowland

Find the Centre of Great Britain
This itinerary takes you to the geographical centre of the British Isles and explores the beautiful landscapes and pretty villages of the Forest of Bowland on foot and by bike.
Hikers on the Bowland Traverse two-day trek in the Forest of Bowland

The Bowland Traverse
Stretching across 28 miles of lonely uplands, punctuated with an overnight stop in Slaidburn, this two-day trek takes in some of the most spectacular views in the Forest of Bowland National Landscape.

Climb Pendle Hill from Clitheroe
Base yourself in the bustling market town of Clitheroe for an active weekend of picturesque rides and scenic walks – including a challenging hike to the top of iconic Pendle Hill.

Coast and Countryside
This varied itinerary criss-crosses the scenic Bentham Line railway, which hugs the Lancashire border across the northern boundary of the Forest of Bowland. The line links the iconic Lancashire seaside resort of Morecambe with the West Yorkshire city of Leeds, connecting villages and towns along the Wenning Valley between Wennington and the edge of the Yorkshire Dales at Giggleswick.

Lancaster and the Lune Valley
This itinerary explores the under-the-radar loveliness of the Lune Valley on the northern edge of the Forest of Bowland National Landscape. A short bus or train ride from Lancaster transports you to a landscape of characterful stone villages, verdant riverside paths, shady lanes through ancient woodland and sweeping views of higher, wilder country in the distance.
a family with dog walking towards the reservoir with red clouds and purple sky

Family-friendly adventures in Bowland
This itinerary starts in the market town of Clitheroe and heads straight out into the country lanes of the Forest of Bowland to the pretty village of Dunsop Bridge, where you can walk with alpacas and explore the beautiful Dunsop Valley on foot or by e-bike before heading to Bowland Wild Boar Park for a wide range of family-friendly activities.
A walker approaches a stone monument on the coast

Lancashire’s wildlife-rich Limestone Coast
This two-day itinerary starts amid the rugged limestone coastline of Silverdale and explores the forests and nature reserves of the National Landscape whilst winding its way south over the gnarly outcrop of Warton Crag to Carnforth Station.

Food & Drink

The Forest of Bowland is a truly delicious destination, where you’ll find a mouthwatering selection of cosy cafés, welcoming country inns and Michelin-starred restaurants. Discover independent food retailers and artisan producers on a foodie tour of this mouth-watering corner of England.

chef preparing food
Hikers enjoying a picnic at Nicky Nook in the Forest of Bowland

Fields, Fells and Fabulous Food
Stretching from the high fells of the Bleasdale Horseshoe to the sharply etched ridge of Longridge Fell, the southwestern fringe of the Forest of Bowland combines striking scenery with rich farmland and superb local produce.

Climb Pendle Hill from Clitheroe
Base yourself in the bustling market town of Clitheroe for an active weekend of picturesque rides and scenic walks – including a challenging hike to the top of iconic Pendle Hill.
walkers on a moorland

Lancashire’s fabulous food producers
This foodie tour starts in Clitheroe – renowned for its bustling market and specialist retailers – before visiting a series of artisan food and drink producers across Lancashire.

Family-friendly

The Forest of Bowland is a popular destination for families, with a wide choice of family-friendly visitor attractions – from walks with alpacas to close encounters with meerkats.

Climb Pendle Hill from Clitheroe
Base yourself in the bustling market town of Clitheroe for an active weekend of picturesque rides and scenic walks – including a challenging hike to the top of iconic Pendle Hill.
a family with dog walking towards the reservoir with red clouds and purple sky

Family-friendly adventures in Bowland
This itinerary starts in the market town of Clitheroe and heads straight out into the country lanes of the Forest of Bowland to the pretty village of Dunsop Bridge, where you can walk with alpacas and explore the beautiful Dunsop Valley on foot or by e-bike before heading to Bowland Wild Boar Park for a wide range of family-friendly activities.

Choose Your Escape

Eco Escapes are all about travelling light and treading carefully in the precious but fragile rural landscapes of Lancashire. They are about leaving the car at home and taking the time to explore new places by public transport, on foot or by bike. They are about discovering the county’s wonderful natural environments and the wildlife that makes its home there.