Cycling
Outstanding scenery, picturesque villages, charming tea rooms and a network of Quiet Lanes - all waiting to be explored. And what better way to do it than by bike? Silently travelling around this area of outstanding natural beauty under your own power, coming across hidden gems around every corner, this truly is a spectacular area for biking enthusiasts of all types and levels. Also, voted
Please select a symbol on the map above or make a selection from the list below for the starting point and for details of the cycle route:
We actively encourage the use of public transport in the Forest of Bowland AONB, for more detailed information visit our Travel Information page. You can use the North West Journey Planner to plan getting to the start of your route by public transport, each route provides you with details of the nearest bus stop or train station, so you can easily plot your journey.
All cycle routes
It is strongly advised that you refer to the page on safety information (pdf 44kb) before going cycling. This page highlights safety information and the Countryside Code and also provides further information about sustainable tourism and how you can make your contribution towards keeping the Forest of Bowland special!
Denotes a route that is particularly special for viewing wildlife, the downloadable pdf of the route highlights the types of wildlife to look out for.
| Start point: Barley | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Route | Length | Nearest Train Station | Village Information | Download/Print Leaflet |
| Road tour of Pendle Hill Area | 15 miles | Clitheroe or Brierfield | Barley village info | • Road tour of Pendle Hill Area (pdf 2.2mb) |
| Start point: Lancaster | ||||
| Route | Length | Nearest Train Station | Village Information | Download/Print Leaflet |
| Wyresdale | 20 miles | Lancaster | Lancaster info | • Wyresdale (pdf 2.8mb) |
| Lune Valley | 26 miles | Lancaster | Lancaster info | • Lune Valley (pdf 2.8mb) |
| Rivers Lune & Wyre | 30 miles | Lancaster | Lancaster info | • Rivers Lune & Wyre(pdf 2.5mb) |
| Start point: Long Preston | ||||
| Route | Length | Nearest Train Station | Village Information | Download/Print Leaflet |
| The Roses Border Ride | 35 miles | Long Preston | Settle info | • The Roses Border Ride (pdf 2.9mb) |
| Start point: Scorton | ||||
| Route | Length | Nearest Train Station | Village Information | Download/Print Leaflet |
| Scorton | 16 miles | Preston or Lancaster | Scorton village info | • Scorton (pdf 1.8mb) |
| Grizedale and Bleasdale | 27 miles | Preston or Lancaster | Scorton village info | • Grizedale and Bleasdale (pdf 2.8mb) |
| Start point: Slaidburn or Wray | ||||
| Route | Length | Nearest Train Station | Village Information | Download/Print Leaflet |
| Salter Fell - Cross O'Greet Circuit |
31 miles | Clitheroe or Long Preston (starting at Slaidburn) or Wennington (starting at Wray) |
Slaidburn village info • Wray village info |
Salter Fell - Cross O'Greet Circuit (pdf 2.9mb) |
| Start point: Waddington | ||||
| Route | Length | Nearest Train Station | Village Information | Download/Print Leaflet |
| Ribble Valley Villages | 29 miles | Clitheroe | Waddington village info | • Ribble Valley Villages (pdf 3.3mb) |
Cycling
Gisburn Forest Cycleway - Gisburn is the largest forest in Lancashire and is managed by Forest Enterprise. Within the forest, adjacent to Stocks Reservoir, you’ll find several colour-coded mountain bike trails which can be accessed from designated car parks. The shortest ones are suitable for younger children or the inexperienced. Walkers can make use of any of the forest tracks but cyclists must keep to the way marked routes. Contact Forest Enterprise for further details on 01229 860010. A new leaflet has recently been produced (May 2010) highlighting the cycle routes and also businesses in the area.
Click here to view the Gisburn Forest Mountain Bike leaflet
Lancashire Cycleway - listed amongst the top 10 long distance cycle rides in Britain, (Daily Telegraph, 2008) and the Independent's top 50 cycle rides (2010) along with a number of rides in more exotic locations including Australia and America.
The route consists of a north and south circular route which meet at the historic town of Whalley, to the south-east of the Forest of Bowland. The route has been designed specifically to use minor roads which have low levels of traffic but also to pass through areas of scenic beauty. The Cycleway is well signposted and is also accessible from many railway stations near to the route.
Bowland by Bike - The Bowland by Bike leaflet details 5 stunning cycle routes in and around the Forest of Bowland. These routes vary in length and surface and have been selected to give you a flavour of the excellent cycling opportunities available throughout the AONB. Available from Tourist Information Centres in the area or via the link below.
Cycle Route Journey Planner - Lancaster district has taken part in a national project to map local cycle routes on an online cycle planner, why not try it out?
Cycle hire and holidays
Cycle Bowland - Featured in the Guardian's Green Travel Guide 2010!
Off the Rails based in Settle, offer four very different cycling experiences in the Forest of Bowland, to suit all your requirements. Explore on a comfy, easy to use hybrid bike and discover for yourself why this area is so special!
From unique bike/rail trips offering leisurely cycling to self guided day hire exploring the quiet lanes, hidden delights and country villages. Alternatively, why not extend your visit and try a 2 or 3 day cycle tour in style with detailed routes, overnight accommodation and baggage transfers included. If you fancy something more challenging off-road, try the MTB Taster Day or take a "learn to mountain bike" course or even have a 'dirty weekend' with guides on the fantastic bridleways and single tracks of Gisburn Forest.
Whichever you choose you can be sure you'll have top quality bikes, well researched routes, great accommodation and fully qualified guides and instructors who live locally and know the area well.
Winner of the National Cycle/Rail Awards, Finalist in the North West Sustainable Tourism Awards and a Gold Award winner in the Green Tourism Business Scheme.
For further information visit the Cycle Bowland website (www.cyclebowland.com) or download the leaflets below.
- Cycle Bowland - Bowland Guided Cycle Tours in PDF format (786kb).
- Cycle Bowland - Bowland Self-guided Cycle Tours in PDF format (1,482kb).
Cycle Adventure – from gentle cycling on quiet lanes and tracks to more adventurous mountain biking on exiting off road trails.
All inclusive friendly, flexible and professional cycle hire service including:
- Free delivery and collection to any location in the Forest of Bowland, including Gisburn Forest
- Well researched route sheets for all abilities
- Accessories included - use of helmet, lock, map holder, pump/spares
- Puncture resistant tyres
- Expert route advice based on years of local knowledge and experience.
Choose from a wide selection of starting points with delivery and collection of bikes, accessories and route sheets, setting you up for a great cycle adventure. Don’t be restricted to one location!
You can also be met at Clitheroe and Lancaster train stations for a completely car free day out.
Cycle Adventure use high quality new Trek front suspension mountain bikes and children's cycles and equipment including tag-a-longs and child seats. They also have premium level mountain bikes available.
Why not stay for longer on a Cycle Adventure Tour staying in a quality Farm House or luxury Country House Hotel, with luggage transfer, vehicle support and all the equipment and accessories you'll need, all you'll have to do is pedal.
You can also hire a qualified mountain bike guide to take you straight to the heart of the best cycling in Bowland with mountain bike skills courses and bespoke guiding packages available.
Call 07518 373 007, text 'ca' for call back or visit the Cycle Adventure website (www.cycle-adventure.co.uk) for booking, customer feedback and more information.
Pedal Power - cycle hire, Clitheroe
Pedal Power Clitheroe is a well established family friendly Cycle Shop trading for nearly 30 years as a family business. Catering for family days out, holiday bike rides, cycling holidays, tourists, Corporate Days for team bonding and more.
Pedal Power have a stable of quality Mountain Bikes ideal for exploring the numerous forest and moorland trails around the Ribble Valley and Pendle areas of Lancashire. Prices are shown below but do e-mail or telephone us for details and pre-booking your requirements.
Hire Rates
Mountain Bike - £18 (daily) £108 (weekly)
Helmet - £2 (daily) £12 (weekly)
Visit www.pedalpowerclitheroe.co.uk or Tel: 01200 422066