10 great walks near the M65 in Lancashire

A selection of walks from our archive that begin close to the junctions of the M65 in Lancashire.

Brindle church and The Cavendish Arms by John Lenehan (Image: John Lenehan)

Brindle
Junction 2
If you are leaving the M65 at junction 2, you need to head toward the Walton Summit rounadbout and take the Clayton Brook exit. Follow the road a miles until you come a T-junction, turn left to take you to Brindle.
Click here to view the details of the Brindle walk

Hoghton Tower
Junction 3
Come off at junction 3 and follow the signs for Hoghton Tower on the roundabout. That should take you onto Bolton Road which to travel down to the T-junction, the Royal Oak will be on the right turn.

Click here to view the details of the Hoghton walk

The Wainwright Toposcope on Billinge Hill by John Lenehan (Image: Archant)

Witton Country Park
Junction 3
To get to the start of this walk, you take the exit for Blackburn at the roundabout. This should put you on the A674, follow this down through Feniscowles, and past Chery Tree station, Witton Country Park should be on your left.
Click here to view the details of the Witton Country Park walk

Darwen Tower
Junction 4
For this walk, exit junction 4, following the signs for Darwen on the the roundabout. Use the right 2 lanes to turn right onto Blackburn Road/A666, then turn left onto Bog Height Road, then left onto Tockholes Road.
Click here to view the details of the Tockholes walk

Clough Head Cafe and Visitor Centre by John Lenehan (Image: John Lenehan)

Musbury Heights
Junction 5
After exiting at junction 5, take the A6077/B6232 exit to Shadsworth. Follow the road for around four miles and you will find the Clough Head Café and Visitor Centre on your left.
Click here to view the details of the Musbury Heights walk

King Street, Whalley by Kirsty Thompson (Image: Archant)

Whalley
Junction 7
Exit at junction 7 and take the A6185 exit to Clitheroe/Accrington, at the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Dunkenhalgh Way, then turn right onto Blackburn Road, turn left onto Whalley Road, continue onto Accrington Road then turn right at King Street.
Click here to vire the details of the Whalley walk

Sabden
Junction 8
At junction 8, take the A56/A6068 exit to Bury/Manchester/M66/Clitheroe. At the roundabout, you’re taking the A6068 exit. After a couple of miles take the slip road on the left onto Slade Lane, keeping going until it takes you to Sabden.
Click here to view the details of the Sabden walk

Thieveley Pike
Junction 10
It’s a bit of a drive through the outskirts of Burnley to get here from the motorway. You go past the town centre and beyond Towneley Hall and just past Cliviger. Type BB10 4SU into the sat nav.
Click here to view the details of the Thieveley Pike walk

Worsthorne
Junction 11
Another starting point that takes you through built up areas. Type in BB10 3NT on your sat nav. It should take you through north Burnely, passing by the Thompson and Queens parks.
Click here to view the details of the Worsthorne walk

Newchurch in Pendle
Junction 13
The start of this walk is just five minutes away from junction 13. Take the A682 exit to Nelson/Kendal, and follow the signs for Fence at the roundabout. Follow the road for two miles and you should see the brown for the Fence Gate Inn telling you to turn right.
Click here to view the details of the Pendle 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.