10 great walks near the M6 in Lancashire

The M6 travels through the heart of Lancashire on it’s journey from the Lake District in the north and Greater Manchester in the south. This means that the county’s beautiful countryside is never too far away.

Howgill Fells by Keith Carter (Image: Archant)

Howgill Fells
Junction 38
The Old School is the starting point for this walk, and it is just a few minutes away from the motorway. Follow the signs for Tebay when you come off at the junction.
Click here to view the details of the Tebay walk

Devil's Bridge by John Lenehan (Image: Archant)

Kirkby Lonsdale
Junction 36
It's a few miles from the motorway to your starting point in the the heart of Kirkby Lonsdale, but it's a fairly straight run you take the A65 and turn left into Main Street after a ten minute drive.
Click here to view the details of the Kirkby Lonsdale walk

Jenny Brown's Point by John Lenehan (Image: Archant)

Silverdale
Junction 35
Parking is extremely scarce in Silverdale, so it could be a better option to park at Carnforth Station which is just a five minute drive from the motorway. There are regular trains to Silverdale station and the journey time is around ten minutes.
Click here to view the details of the Silverdale walk

Hest Bank and Morecambe Bay
Junction 34
This is a bit of a spagetti junction to navigate, but you're to get on the A683/Bay Gateway heading towards Heysham/Morecambe. You need to then take the A6 towards Hest Bank and The Shore (LA2 6HN) near the level crossing.
Click here to view the details of the Hest Bank walk

Hikers on the towpath, Lancaster Canal by John Lenehan (Image: Archant)

Glasson Dock circular
Junction 33
Glasson Dock has never been the easiest place to get to, but it should take you a good twenty minutes to make it through the A roads once you leave the motorway. Input LA2 0DB into the satnav to take you to the car park near the marina.
Click here to view the details of the Glasson Dock walk

Barton by Keith Carter (Image: Archant)

Barton
Junction 32
Another motorway junction that will need careful attention to get you where you need to be. Coming off the M6, you immediately join the M55 which takes you to the outskirts of Blackpool, you need to come off at the first opportunity to join A6 which will take you to Barton.
Click here to view the details of the Barton walk

Riley Green and Hoghton Tower
Junction 29
Whether you are arriving from the north or south, you need to join the M65 marked for Burnley/Blackburn. Exit at junction 3 and take the first exit (A675) which shoud take you to Riley Green.
Click here to view the details of the Riley Green walk

St Mary's Church, Bretherton by John Lenehan (Image: Archant)

Bretherton
Junction 28
It will take you at least twenty minutes to get to the centre of Bretherton from the motorway. Input PR26 9AB in the sat nav to take you there.
Click here to view the details of the Bretherton walk

Standish
Junction 27
The starting point is just a few hundreds from the exit of the motorway junction. Type in WN6 0PJ on the sat nav, you will come to a cul-de-sac called Brookfield Road, head to the very end where you'll find a small car park.
Click here to view the details of the Standish walk

Winter Hill from Beacon Country Park by Keith Carter (Image: Keith Carter)

Orrell and Beacon Country Park
Junction 26
Head to the Carr Lane Carpark on Mill Lane (WN8 7RZ), it should take around 10 to 15 minutes to get passing by Orrell and Upholland.
Click here to view the details of the Orrell walk

All the routes were correct at the time of publication, over time access to certain parts of the walk may be subject to change. We advise you acquire a recent OS map of the area you plan to visit and assure there are no major changes.