Lancashire
Free cycle maps are listed at bottom of page.
Open routes
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National Route 6 |
National Route 6 of the National Cycle Network is currently open in Lancashire from Preston through Lancaster to Kendal and Windermere in the Lake District, and between Blackburn and Accrington.
a. Lancaster - Kendal
From Lancaster, route 6 follows the canal towpath to Carnforth with outstanding views of the Lakeland Hills across Morecambe Bay. North of Carnforth the route uses quiet lanes through the Arnside-Silverdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty to Kendal. You can continue on the route to Windermere. The route is an ideal gateway to the Lake District, or for longer tours of Cumbria and the North Pennines.
b. Preston - Lancaster
The route uses minor lanes to get from Preston to Lancaster on the fringes of the Bowland Hills. It goes through the pretty village of Scorton, which has one of the best cyclists cafes in the county. From Conder Green it follows the recently upgraded Lune Estuary path into Lancaster.
c. Blackburn - Accrington
From Blackburn the route follows the canal towpath to Rishton, it then follows off road paths and quiet lanes to Accrington and Baxenden. There is also a link to Great Harwood. The route up the Woodnook Valley from Accrington to Baxenden is a particular delight. A feature of the route is a stunning causeway across a lake on the edges of Accrington town centre. From Whitebirk to Baxenden the route is signed the Hyndburn Greenway.
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National Route 62: Preston - Lytham St Annes - Blackpool |
From Preston National Route 62 follows the canal towpath out into the Fylde. It takes you along minor roads to the genteel resort of Lytham St Annes. In Blackpool the route is open on South Shore between Stargate and South Pier and on the North Shore from North Pier to Anchorsholme Park. There is also a loop out to Stanley Park and Staining.
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National Route 68 - The Pennine Cycleway |
In Lancashire National Route 68 runs between Burnley, Nelson and Colne, and Barnoldswick. Known as the Pennine Cycleway (South Pennines), the route follows the canal towpath, offering an attractive way through the area with views of Pendle Hill, famous for Witchcraft, and the surrounding countryside. There are two routes across the south Pennines from Hebden Bridge in West Yorkshire. You can either cross the Long Causeway, an ancient Packhorse route, past the wind farm above the scenic Cliviger gorge or a remote single track above a narrow winding ravine.
Highlights of the route include the approach into Towneley Park, on the edges of Burnley. Towneley Hall, which dates from the sixteenth century, is well worth a visit.
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National Route 69: Morecambe - Lancaster - Caton |
National Route 69 is open in Lancashire between Hest Bank and Bull Beck Picnic Site - just east of Caton. Follow the route along the promenade in Morecambe, where you can enjoy outstanding views across the bay to the lakeland hills. From Morecambe the route follows the Lancaster - Morecambe Greenway to Lancaster's Millennium Bridge. From the Millennium Bridge cycle up the River Lune to Caton and the Crook O'Lune, a viewpoint with a breathtaking view out over the river. The majority of the open route is traffic-free with plans to extend National Route 69 up the Lune Valley into Yorkshire.
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Lancashire Cycleway
The Lancashire Cycleway is a challenging 280 mile tour of the county, taking in the Bowland Hills, south Pennines and coastal plain. The route is largely on quiet roads. It is very scenic, but there are also a lot of steep hills.
Cicerone publish the The Lancashire Cycleway guide to the ride.
The route is split in to two loops which meet at Whalley:
Regional Route 90 forms the Northern Loop around the Forest of Bowland, along the coast near Silverdale and across the Flyde Plain. Download map of the Northern Loop from Lancashire CC.
Regional Route 91 forms the Southern Loop in and around the West and South Pennine Moors, passing Pendle Hill and crossing the West Lancashire plain. Download map of the Southern Loop from Lancashire CC.
Route development
Burnley to Brun Valley greenway
Work is progressing well to establish the Brun Valley greenway in Burnley along with improved access to Sir John Thursby Community College and Blessed Trinity RC College. This scheme is partly funded by SITA Trust and Cycle England/ Sustrans through the School Links project.
Preston
Sustrans is negotiating with a landowner for a strip of former railway land to improve pedestrian/cycle access from Preston's riverside path via Avenham Park to the city's railway station.
Colne
Pendle Borough Council is interested to explore the possibility of a greenway alongside a restored railway on the Colne Skipton line as far north as Foulridge. A site visit explored the potential on this very wet section of trackbed.
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Blackpool |
The Cycle England/Sustrans supported School Links project at Highfield High School has been completed. This also provides a signed link to the promenade route.
Lancaster and Morecambe
The Cycle England/Sustrans supported School Links project at Westgate County Primary School has been completed and adds to the growing Lancaster network to complement the Cycling Demonstration Town work.
Free cycle maps available for Lancashire
Cycling in Blackpool - from Blackpool Council, tel: 01253 476182
The following maps are all available from Lancashire County Council:
Tel: 01772 534609 or visit the Lancashire CC website to download.
Lancaster - Kendal (National Route 6)
Preston - Lancaster (National Route 6)
Preston - Blackpool (South) (National Route 62)
Pennine Cycleway in Lancashire (Burnley - Colne - Barnoldswick)
Lancashire Cycleway (Regional Routes 90/91)
Lancaster and Morecambe
Preston and South Ribble
Lytham St Annes
Cycle Rides in West Lancashire
Bowland by Bike
Family Cycling in East Lancashire
Cycling for All (Lancaster, Morecambe & The Lune Valley)
Mountain Biking in Lancashire
Cycle and See (Arnside - Silverdale area)
North Lancashire Bridleway
Old Tramway Cycle Route, Preston
Preston Canal Cycle Route
River Ribble Cycle Route, Preston
Cuerden Valley Park Cycle Route, Chorley
Padiham - Ightenhill - Burnley Cycle Route
Cheshire Lines (Formby - Maghull)
Hyndburn Greenway
Pendle Cycleways
Grand Tour of Pendle
Blackburn to Rishton and Great Harwood Cycle Route
Woodnock Greenway (Accrington to Baxendale)
West Accrington (Accrington to Church and Oswaldtwistle)
Healey Dell (Rochdale - Whitworth)