The best cycling routes around Salterforth

There are over 240 touring cycling routes around Salterforth, offering a wide variety of options for cyclists of all abilities. These routes are highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.5 stars.

Salterforth offers a diverse cycling landscape. You'll find generally flat and accessible routes along the historic Leeds and Liverpool Canal towpath. Beyond the canal, the region features quiet country lanes, rolling hills in the wider Pendle area, and more challenging terrain with significant elevation gain in the nearby Forest of Bowland, a designated National Landscape.

Yes, Salterforth has family-friendly options, particularly along the Leeds and Liverpool Canal towpath, which provides flat and accessible cycling. The wider Pendle area also offers beginner-friendly routes. An easy route like Flooded Road to Alkincoats – Foulridge Wharf and Café loop from Barnoldswick is a good example, covering 14 miles with minimal elevation.

Yes, the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, which runs through Salterforth, forms part of the Pennine Cycleway (NCN 68). This national cycle network offers scenic journeys through picturesque villages and countryside, often with minimal traffic, making it ideal for longer touring adventures.

Many routes offer views of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal and its notable features like the Greenberfield Locks. For those venturing further, you can encounter various natural highlights. For example, routes might pass near Lower Ogden Reservoir or offer glimpses of prominent hills like Weets Hill Summit & Trig Point and Pendle Hill summit trig point.

Absolutely. The region boasts several scenic viewpoints. Weets Hill Summit & Trig Point and Pinhaw Beacon offer expansive views. Additionally, routes traversing the Forest of Bowland, such as those on the Salter Fell Road, provide stunning moorland vistas.

Salterforth village itself has a canal-side pub, The Anchor Inn, which provides a pleasant stop for refreshments. Many routes also pass through or near other villages and towns with cafes and pubs, especially along the canal paths and in the wider Pendle area.

Yes, many of the touring cycling routes around Salterforth are designed as loops, allowing you to start and finish in the same location. Examples include the moderate Canal Lock with Bench – Gargrave Bridge loop from Barnoldswick, which is 30.6 miles long, and the 28.5-mile Gargrave Bridge – Double Arched Stone Bridge loop from Barnoldswick.

The spring and summer months generally offer the most pleasant conditions for touring cycling in Salterforth, with milder weather and longer daylight hours. However, the varied terrain means that routes can be enjoyed year-round, with the canal towpaths often remaining accessible even in wetter conditions.

Salterforth caters to all levels of touring cyclists. There are 38 easy routes, perfect for leisurely rides or beginners. For those seeking more of a challenge, there are 112 moderate routes. Experienced cyclists can tackle the 90 difficult routes, which often feature significant elevation gains, particularly in areas like the Forest of Bowland.

The area is highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.5 stars from over 100 reviews. Cyclists often praise the blend of tranquil canal-side paths and the more challenging, scenic routes through rolling hills and remote moorland. The variety of terrain and the picturesque landscapes are frequently highlighted as key attractions.

Yes, for cyclists seeking more challenging rides and dramatic scenery, routes extend into the nearby Forest of Bowland. A difficult route like Whalley Old Bridge – The Forest of Bowland loop from Barnoldswick, spanning over 37 miles with significant elevation, offers an immersive experience in this National Landscape, including gravel tracks like the Salter Fell Road.