Lancashire is a truly beautiful county in winter as snow and frost settles on the hilltops. From short, gentle rambles to long distance treks, New Year’s is a wonderful time to get back to nature.
Just wrap up nice and warm! You’ll also likely need wellies or sturdy footwear for 11 Lancashire winter walking trails.
9. Gisburn Forest, Ribble Valley
This Forestry Commission-run forest is part of the Forest of Bowland and is perfectly set up for families keen to take on a wintry adventure. There's vast green space and woodland and the forest is famed for its multiple walking trails, with varied terrain and sweeping, vast scenic views, while also having a route suitable for differing abilities, experience and ages. Gisburn Forest is also ideal for anyone looking for a walk in the wilderness, but that is also easily accessible and the Stocks Reservoir circular route (white arrows) is also an option and you can find a map of the trails, here offering fantastic views wherever you look. Another bonus is that the drive to the car parks at Gisburn Hub, Cocklet Hill and Stocks Reservoir offer up more sweeping views of snow-covered trees and if you're fortunate, you can watch as the low winter sun floods through the woodland as you pass by. Photo: Lancashire Post
10. The Tolkien Trail, Hurst Green Clitheroe
If the Lord of the Rings movies were on your Christmas film list, a visit to the Ribble Valley is a must. The Tolkien Trail is an easy-to-stroll five and a half miles. It starts and ends in the village of Hurst Green, following in the footsteps of the esteemed author. Tolkien stayed regularly in the area and fans of all things Hobbit will enjoy guessing which landmarks bear a similarity to place names found in his books. The trail has its beginning and finishes at the Shireburn Arms in the village of Hurst Green. Many believe the name of the inn inspired the naming of the River Shirebourne that runs through Middle Earth. Photo: Lancashire Post
11. Cleveleys to Fleetwood
Cleveleys to Fleetwood, via Knott End Ferry. The route from Cleveleys to Fleetwood along the seafront is flat, pedestrianised and ideal for a wintry stroll along the Lancashire coast. Ideal for those with pushchairs or wheelchair users. You can walk or cycle the 11 mile length of Wyre’s coast along the promenade from Fleetwood to Cleveleys and to Blackpool. There are stunning views across Morecambe Bay and the Irish Sea throughout. Photo: Lancashire Post