THE PATH LESS TRODDEN

It should be easy to maintain social distancing on this tough walk through spectacular Bowland countryside

- John Lenehan

The remote road from Slaidburn to Bentham through the Bowland Fells has got to be one of the most beautiful scenic routes between Lancashire and Yorkshire. It is a cyclist and motorcyclist’s dream ride and is much used by both. It is also a beautiful if not much-used area to walk but then again up to a few years ago most of the Bowland Fells were not open to the public. This has changed and large tracts of the land are now open access. Please note that some restrictions remain in the shooting season.

1 Leave the car park and walk over the bridge toward Slaidburn. Cross the stile immediately on the right once over the bridge then head diagonally left uphill to join a track and turn right. Follow the track for about 120 metres then head diagonally right downhill to join the route of an old railway line then turn left and follow the line route to reach a quarry that is quite obvious in the distance. The line is indistinct in places but in others the lines are visible as are some sleepers. Cross a stream and enter the quarry.

2 There is an old steam crane sitting in the quarry, reach this then turn right and clamber over some rough stones to reach a small path on the edge of the quarry. Follow this downhill bearing diagonally left down to a stream and cross this then head diagonally right uphill contouring the valley side to reach the road. Turn left and follow the road uphill to reach the Cross of Greet.