The Forest of Bowland in Lancashire, is snuggled away in the shadow of nearby walking giants such as the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales. It’s easy to miss if you don’t know it’s there. As others dash on to the better known centers though it’s definitely worth taking a detour to explore the wonderfully varied walks on offer in the Forest of Bowland. Wild moorland, lofty fell-tops, idyllic paddling-friendly streams, plentiful bird life and far reaching views make this accessible stretch of countryside a fantastic destination for walkers of all ages. There are also country parks such as Beacon Fell Country Park and some fascinating history, including the notorious Pendle Witches – one of the largest witch trials in old England.
The Forest of Bowland is a great place for some moorland and navigation training for older children , although with plenty of rough and boggy ground and remote paths, this is not countryside to be underestimated. Don’t despair if you are walking with little ones though – there are plenty of gentle wanders, farm tracks and waterside walks to be explored well away from any bogs! The green rolling countryside and gentle river valleys provide a fantastic network of family friendly paths and some lovely villages to base your walks from. For those who enjoy stargazing this is also an excellent part of the country to enjoy some dark skies.
Below you will find some useful walking resources for the Forest of Bowland as well as the usual ever expanding list of Baby Routes tried and tested walks in the area.
- The Forest of Bowland AONB walks page has the option to filter walks by accessibility with several pushchair options listed. Worth a look if you’re walking with a buggy.
- Bowland Walks is a privately managed website that provides lots of inspiration for more general routes. Good descriptions of terrain, distance and duration and an all-important bog factor!
