Walk 3457 - printer friendly version

Wyre Valley Circular Walk

Author - Lou Johnson

Length - 6.4 miles / 10.4 km

Ascent - 600 feet / 182 metres

Grade - easy/mod

Start - OS grid reference SD563544
Lat 53.9837940 + Long -2.6678864
Postcode LA2 9BH (approx. location only)

This Lancashire walk starts from the village of Abbeystead and follows the Wyre Way for the whole route. The walk climbs onto the fringes of the moors of the Forest of Bowland before turning west to follow the valley of the Marshaw Wyre which is a tributary of the River Wyre. Generally, the route is easy to follow with waymarking in place at all key points along the way.

The start is the small car park at Stoops Bridge at the eastern end of Abbeystead village beside the River Wyre (grid ref. SD563544). After parking return the short distance to the road junction and turn right up Straight Lane. Where the road bends left after 400 metres take the footpath straight ahead through waymarked garden gate to continue along the Wyre Way. Continue with woodland on your right and then maintain direction across fields to reach a stile and a lane (grid ref. SD575547).

Go straight across the road and follow the access drive to Top of Emmetts. The path veers off right just before the house and then heads in a north-easterly direction across fields to reach a lane at Tarnbrook (grid ref. SD587556). Turn right and at the end of the buildings fork left onto a clear track to continue along the Wyre Way. The open country to your left is some of the moorland of the Forest of Bowland. Stay on the track to reach Gilberton after 800 metres. Turn left in front of the house and continue, initially along a track.

The path bends right and then heads south passing between barns at Speight Clough. Continue south, with wall right and continue past a stand of trees on your left. At the end of the trees the path swings southeast to join a track (grid ref. SD603542). Bear right along the track and follow it south through trees through a metal gate to the road at Tower Lodge (grid ref. SD604539).

Turn right along the road. Follow the road for 2.6 kilometres passing Marshaw Farm on your right. Keep straight ahead at a junction near Well Brook. Where the road bends to the right continue straight ahead following the waymarked Wyre Way (with fence on your left). The path veers right to skirt woodland on your right and then continues by following the River Marshaw Wyre. The path crosses several footbridges and eventually leads to a lane. Turn right and the car park is a short walk away.

You can extend the walk. Instead of turning right to the car park, turn left and follow Walk 3459 to complete a circuit of Abbeystead Reservoir and finish with a stroll through the attractive and well-maintained village.

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