Cycleways in Pendle

The "Grand Tour of Pendle" Cycle Route will take you through rugged Pennine moorland and on towards the rural splendour of the Ribble Valley before returning amidst the industrial heritage of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal Corridor.

Almost entirely on quiet roads, the tour is a challenging ride for all but the fittest cyclists with stunning views and plenty of places to stop and take in the local atmosphere.

Designed to be completed over two days, there are lots of places to spend the night and, since it is circular, there are a number of options for start and finish points.

Keen cyclists might want to complete the entire route in a day but there are also shorter options for the less committed amongst us.

The route described here starts at Colne Railway Station. It is easy to get to by rail from Preston and sits close to the end of the M65 with ample parking available.

The route is not intended for beginners. There are some steep climbs and the route is high and exposed in places. Some spare food, a basic cycle toolkit, waterproof clothing and a bit of common sense will go a long way to ensuring that you have a great ride.

Colne to Trawden

From Colne Railway Station follow the cycle path signed Thursden and Hebden Bridge past the front of the Sports Centre.

Cross the main road at the controlled crossing and head down the steep, cobbled Smith Street opposite following the NCN 68 signs.

Turn left at the T-junction on to Shaw Street and follow the road past the Lord Rodney pub and across the cobbled bridge.

Climb very steeply up Lenches Road for about half a mile before meeting Knotts Lane. Turn left and continue climbing until you reach the summit crossroads at Clarion House, then turn left down Shelfield Lane towards Trawden and continue to the T-junction.

Trawden to Earby

Trawden to Laneshaw Bridge

Turn right and then immediately left in the village and follow the road downhill past the Trawden Arms.

Take a right turn at the war memorial into Keighley Road and start to climb steeply until the road levels out near the recreation ground.

Continue past the right turning signed for Wycoller and take the next turning on the right, again called Keighley Road.

The road soon starts to go down hill past farms and houses until it meets School Lane.

Now in Laneshaw Bridge, turn left over the bridge and continue across the main road up Emmott Lane.

Laneshaw Bridge to Earby

As the road levels and bears to the left before the Alma Inn, take the right turn down Long Lane.

Turn right at the T-junction and climb steadily up Lothersdale Lane. Follow the lane past the Hare and Hounds Inn and down a long descent before climbing again.

Before the summit, turn left on to Bleara Road which begins to descend steadily towards Earby. As the road begins to level out, turn left immediately after the Country Holidays mill building and rise slightly to the White Lion Inn.

Bear left into Green End Road and follow to the field gate at the end. Turn right here into the traffic-free Rostle Top Road and continue until you meet the "no entry" signs. Turn left right into Linden Road and onto the junction with the main road.

Earby to Barnoldswick

Turn right onto the main road or use the controlled crossing and then into Salterforth Road opposite the Station Hotel.

Follow the road, climbing gently past a housing estate before levelling out in open country and descending into Salterforth Village.

Salterforth to Barnoldswick

Cross the main road, into Salterforth Lane, turning right into the car park before you reach the canal bridge.

If you want to cut the journey short, simply turn left and take the towpath south to Foulridge before following NCN 68 signs back to Colne and the Railway Station.

To continue, keep right and go through the cycle gate following the canal towpath past Cockshott Bridge until you meet Long Ing Lane in Barnoldswick.

Go right here then right again into Rainhall Crescent as the road bears to the left. Follow the Crescent and turn left at the T-junction along Ben Lane.

Cross the main road into Coats Lane and continue over the canal bridge. Turn left at the next junction into Greenberfield Lane and follow the narrow lane to Gisburn Road.

Barnoldswick to Sabden Fold

Barnoldswick to Twiston

Cross Gisburn Road into Brogden Lane and on into open country. After a mile or two of steady riding, the road bears left and climbs steadily before a slight descent towards the main road. Go straight across here and into the gated Whytha Road. Descending steadily, the road passes through a farm gate at Middop Hall before entering a dip with a short steep climb out. Pass through another farm gate and continue on the narrow lane, past two roads to the right. After half a mile a steep descent brings you to Twiston Lane.

Twiston to Barley

Turn left through Twiston, climbing steadily at first before the road gets steeper towards the crossroads at Annel Cross. Carry straight on along Barley Lane and down the long descent into Barley Village.

Barley to Newchurch

Turn left by the picnic site on to The Avenue. The level road gives way to a gentle descent after a mile to meet a crossroads. Take the right turn here onto Jinny Lane. A short climb soon levels off before a steeper climb into Newchurch Village.

Newchurch to Sabden Fold

In the village turn left and then take the next right into Well Head Road. After climbing gently for about half a mile, there is a steep decent into Sabden Fold followed by a short climb.

Sabden Fold to Colne

Sabden Fold to Wheatley Lane

As the road levels out, take the left turn into Croft Lane. A short steady climb soon gives way to a flowing descent before meeting Hoggarth Road. Turn left here and continue past Heights Lane on your left before turning right into Harpers Lane and into Wheatley Lane Village.

Wheatley Lane to Carr Hall

Turn left at the bottom of the lane on to Wheatley Lane Road and continue down through the village. Beyond the village the road levels and passes the Sparrow Hawk Inn before a short climb. Near the summit of the climb take the right turn into Carr Road and descend with the Deer Park on your right. Cross the main road and continue down Carr Hall Road. Turn right at the bottom of the hill into Park Avenue and immediately left into the park on the signed cycle path.

Carr Hall to Nelson

Follow the path across the bridge and keep left. Cross Carr Road into the park again and follow the path past the running track to meet Surrey Road. Turn right through the subway and onto the cobbled street. Continue up hill towards Nelson, turning right onto Norfolk Street before the canal bridge.

Nelson to Barrowford Locks

Join the canal towpath on your left after 50 yards and keep left, heading for Colne. Follow the towpath out of Nelson and into open country near Swinden Bridge. Cross the bridge and keep to the towpath until you reach Barrowford Locks

Barrowford Locks to Colne

Turn right at the second lock and follow the signed NCN 68 route to Colne. Follow Greenfield Road down past a row of houses and bear left up a short hill before levelling out and meeting a main road. Cross the main road onto a short cycle path before meeting Greenfield Road again. Follow the NCN 68 signs towards Colne before turning left and climbing steeply up Bankfield Street. Turn right onto Cross Street West then left at the end onto Leach Street. Take the cycle path to the right that leads you back to the train station and at the end of your journey.

This tour has been put together on behalf of Colne Cycling Campaign. The campaign is one of a number of local cycling groups and clubs that make up the Pendle Cyclists' Forum. The campaign has been established to improve cycling in Colne and to promote cycle access to surrounding countryside.

Download:

You can download The Grand Tour of Pendle Cycle Route booklet from here.