Bolton-By-Bowland, a region in Lancashire's scenic Ribble Valley, is situated within the Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). This area is characterized by dramatic landscapes, including gritstone fells, deep valleys, and peat moorland, making it a prime destination for outdoor activities. The tranquil, historically charming atmosphere and rich natural features, such as the River Ribble and Stocks Reservoir, provide a diverse setting for several sports like hiking, mountain biking, road cycling, touring cycling, and more.
74
Routes
4.2
(316)
Average rating
4497
People visited

4.8
(96)
1,519
riders
19.0km
01:45
270m
270m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.7
(27)
642
riders
14.0km
01:19
220m
220m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.9
(35)
347
riders
10.9km
01:00
140m
140m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.2
(5)
141
riders
14.1km
01:20
230m
230m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.6
(64)
504
hikers
14.3km
03:52
190m
190m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

4.6
(13)
60
hikers
4.76km
01:18
70m
70m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.4
(9)
61
hikers
18.5km
04:54
170m
170m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

2.0
(2)
6
hikers
9.35km
02:32
130m
130m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
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4.8
(6)
22
riders
10.8km
01:02
150m
150m
Easy gravel ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.5
(2)
49
riders
64.5km
04:14
1,100m
1,100m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4
riders
53.2km
03:42
770m
770m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.73km
00:32
70m
70m
Easy run. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

12
runners
7.12km
00:45
90m
80m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4
runners
15.2km
01:38
220m
220m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

7
runners
7.24km
00:46
100m
100m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(5)
131
riders
59.7km
03:20
1,090m
1,090m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

65
riders
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

32
riders
55.2km
02:50
710m
710m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

28
riders
42.4km
02:40
640m
640m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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145
riders
10.0km
00:59
130m
130m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

24
riders
13.1km
01:17
180m
180m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(2)
24
riders
41.9km
02:39
410m
410m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

20
riders
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Bolton-By-Bowland, situated within the Forest of Bowland AONB, offers a range of outdoor activities. These include Hiking, Mountain biking, Road cycling, Touring cycling, Jogging, and Gravel biking. The region features diverse landscapes suitable for various skill levels.
Popular hiking routes include the Stocks Reservoir loop, an 8.9-mile (14.3 km) trail offering water views. The 3-mile (4.8 km) Bolton-by-Bowland loop provides an easier walk through fields and parkland. Longer options like The Stirk House Circular Walk, at 11.5 miles (18.5 km), explore the wider countryside. For more options, see Hiking around Bolton-By-Bowland.
Yes, Bolton-By-Bowland offers family-friendly hiking options. The 3-mile (4.8 km) Bolton-by-Bowland loop through fields and parkland is an easier choice. The Stocks Reservoir loop also provides accessible sections suitable for families. Find more details in the Family-friendly hikes around Bolton-By-Bowland guide.
Gisburn Forest Bike Trails are the primary destination for mountain biking in the area. These trails offer a range of experiences, from easy routes for novices to demanding sections with technical features. Gisburn Forest is also an accredited Dark Sky Discovery Site. Explore routes in the MTB Trails around Bolton-By-Bowland guide.
The quiet country lanes of the Forest of Bowland are popular for road cycling. Routes like the Lancashire Cycleway (northern section, route 90) traverse the area, using minor roads with low traffic. The challenging climb over Keasden Moor offers significant views. More routes are available in the Road Cycling Routes around Bolton-By-Bowland guide.
The region is characterized by gritstone fells, deep valleys, and peat moorland within the Forest of Bowland AONB. Notable features include the River Ribble, River Hodder, and Stocks Reservoir. Pendle Hill is a prominent landmark offering extensive views.
Yes, Bolton-By-Bowland offers several easy hiking trails suitable for beginners. The 3-mile (4.8 km) Bolton-by-Bowland loop through fields and parkland is a good starting point. Many sections of the Stocks Reservoir loop are also considered easy. Refer to the Easy hikes around Bolton-By-Bowland guide for more options.
Routes in Bolton-By-Bowland have an average rating of 4.46 out of 5 stars on komoot. This rating is based on feedback from more than 3,000 users. Over 46,000 visitors have explored the region using komoot.
Komoot offers several guides for Bolton-By-Bowland, including Hiking around Bolton-By-Bowland, MTB Trails around Bolton-By-Bowland, and Road Cycling Routes around Bolton-By-Bowland. Other guides cover family-friendly hikes, easy hikes, and various cycling types. These guides provide curated routes and information for different activities.
The official website for the local Parish Council, which covers Bolton-by-Bowland, Gisburn Forest, and Sawley, is www.boltonbybowland-gisburnforest-sawley-pc.org.uk. This site provides local information and community details. For general inquiries, a contact number is also available.
Yes, the Lancashire Cycleway (northern section, route 90) is a notable long-distance route that traverses the area. It is recognized as one of Britain's top long-distance rides, utilizing minor roads with low traffic. This route passes through areas of scenic beauty within the Forest of Bowland.
The Tolkien Trail is a 6-mile (9.7 km) walking route in the area. It allows visitors to explore landscapes that are said to have inspired J.R.R. Tolkien. This trail connects to the region's rich literary and natural heritage.
Pendle Hill is a prominent and iconic landmark near Bolton-By-Bowland. It offers excellent views into the Forest of Bowland and across Lancashire. The hill is also steeped in local myth and legend, particularly regarding the 17th-century Pendle Witch Trials.

