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Aighton, Bailey And Chaigley

The Tolkien Trail from Hurst Green loop – Forest of Bowland

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Hiking trails & Routes

Aighton, Bailey And Chaigley

The Tolkien Trail from Hurst Green loop – Forest of Bowland

Moderate

4.8

(285)

1,719

hikers

The Tolkien Trail from Hurst Green loop – Forest of Bowland

02:52

10.7km

130m

Hiking

Embark on a moderate hike through the picturesque Forest of Bowland on the Tolkien Trail from Hurst Green. This 6.6 miles (10.7 km) loop takes you along undulating farmland, through lush woodlands, and beside the Rivers Ribble, Hodder, and Calder. You will gain 422 feet (129 metres) in elevation over approximately 2 hours and 51 minutes, passing historical landmarks like Cromwell's Bridge and the grand Stonyhurst College, with views of Pendle Hill.

While the main loop is considered moderate, the area offers various routes to suit different abilities, including shorter woodland walks. Be aware that some sections can be muddy after rain, though new paths have improved conditions in parts. The Shireburn Arms pub in Hurst Green is a popular starting point for this journey, offering a convenient place to begin and end your adventure.

This trail is famously associated with J.R.R. Tolkien, who spent time at Stonyhurst College during the Second World War while working on "The Lord of the Rings." The local landscape is widely believed to have inspired elements of his fictional Middle-earth, particularly "The Shire." As you walk, you might recognize features like Shire Lane in Hurst Green and the River Hodder's steep, tree-filled embankment, which could have sparked ideas for his legendary stories.

Last updated: April 23, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through protected areas

Please check local regulations for:

Forest of Bowland AONB

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

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1.40 km

Stonyhurst College

Highlight • Monument

4.27 km

Cromwell's Bridge Over the River Hodder

Highlight • Historical Site

This ancient crossing over the River Hodder is named after Oliver Cromwell, who, in 1648, lead his army across it on the way to the Battle of Preston. Today, it is out of use, though it is possible to walk across it and it makes for a great photo. The River Hodder is a major tributary of the River Ribble, one of North England’s greatest rivers.

Tip by

5.68 km

Winkley Piggeries

Highlight • Settlement

Keep an eye out for the animals on this working farm, along the Tolkien Trail.

Tip by

7.22 km

Confluence of the Rivers Calder and Ribble

Highlight • Natural Monument

This is the confluence of two of Lancashire's great rivers, the Ribble and the Calder. From here, the Ribble flows out to the Irish Sea at the Ribble Estuary beyond Preston. The estuary is of international importance for over-wintering birds.

You can follow the Ribble to its dramatically situated source at Ribblehead, close to the eponymous viaduct, by hiking the Ribble Way, which passes by this spot. The Calder's source is on the moors above Burnley, not far from the source of the Irwell and West Yorkshire's own River Calder.

A ferry once operated near this spot and may have been the inspiration for Bucklebury Ferry in JRR Tolkien's 'The Fellowship of the Ring'. Tolkien regularly stayed at nearby Stonyhurst Cottage while he was working on his epic Lord of the Rings saga and there are many links between this part of the Ribble Valley and locations in the Shire.

Tip by

8.59 km

Cross Gills Cross

Highlight • Historical Site

Just off the Ribble Way, The base of the cross dates to the early Christian period and was originally sited to the north of Cross Gills Farm. It was moved to its present position in 1833 by the Rector of Stonyhurst. At the same time, a new shaft and arms were cut to surmount the pedestal.

Tip by

9.59 km

Blackburn Corporation Aqueduct over the River Ribble

Highlight • Historical Site

Crafted in the 1880s by the Blackburn Corporation, this elegant stone aqueduct served as a conduit for water sourced from Whitewell.

Tip by

10.4 km

Shireburn Arms Pub & Tolkien Trail Start

Highlight • Trail

The Shireburn Arms is a gorgeous, characterful pub in the picturesque village of Hurst Green. Set in prime walking country, there's plenty to see in the surrounding area, from beautiful walks alongside the Rivers Ribble and Hodder to the magnificent Stonyhurst College.

After a walk, there's excellent food and accommodation options in the pub, which retains a cosy, olde-worlde feel.

The pub is a great start point for the popular Tolkien Trail, a circular trail that explores some of the landscapes that inspired the Lord of the Rings author. He spent many months at Stonyhurst during the Second World War when he was working on the great fantasy epic. Many of the local landmarks and landscapes are thought to have inspired locations in the series. One only has to consider the name of this pub...

Tip by

10.7 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

4.65 km

3.66 km

1.55 km

806 m

Surfaces

7.79 km

2.00 km

526 m

355 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Weather

Saturday 11 July

25°C

13°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 23.0 km/h

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Comments

May 12, 2024,Lancashire - Tolkien Trail (Group Walk)

A walk with my walking group - Mindfulness On The Move.

Note: Stonyhurst College is private land, you will more than likely be asked to leave the gardens. Be polite and agree to leave.

May 17, 2025,The Tolkien Trail

Lovely walk with friends in the Ribble Valley. By the River Ribble and Hodder. Tolkien spent a lot of time writing his epic novels here and some of the scenery certainly reminds me of the Shire. Plenty of sand martins, herons, egrets, lapwings and oyster catchers. Can definitely recommend it.

August 5, 2024,The Tolkien Trail from Hurst Green loop – Forest of Bowland AONB

A very pleasant rural walk with connections to "the Lord of the Rings"

March 30, 2024,The Tolkien Trail part 1

It's rare I venture north these days, but when I do, I'm reminded of why I enjoyed growing up in this area so much. I spent the first 25 years of my life in the Ribble Valley and still have somehow not walked, run or ridden many of the paths.

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The Tolkien Trail from Hurst Green loop – Forest of Bowland

Stonyhurst College

Cromwell's Bridge Over the River Hodder

Winkley Piggeries

Confluence of the Rivers Calder and Ribble

Cross Gills Cross

Blackburn Corporation Aqueduct over the River Ribble

Shireburn Arms Pub & Tolkien Trail Start

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