Start Point Distance/Time Key to Facilities

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OS Explorer OL41

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GPS Waypoints (OS grid refs)

GPS Waypoints (Alt. Route)

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Public transport Terrain

0.5 Mile 1 Mile0 Miles0 Km 1 Km

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9

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SD 6598 5017

SD 6576 5079

SD 6563 5097

SD 6527 5318

SD 6529 5366

SD 6600 5502

SD 6667 5467

SD 6744 5443

SD 6875 5426

SD 6912 5336

SD 6912 5284

SD 6863 5285

SD 6824 5284

SD 6739 5212

SD 6652 5143

SD 6588 5011

SD 6554 5065

Post Office, Parking, Café, Toilets, Bus Stop, Petrol Station

B10 Clitheroe to Slaidburn Circular (Mon to Fri)

Tracks, fields, roads, open moorlandGates and some stiles Steep sections and can be very wet under foot (Whitendale onto Dunsop Fell)

Note: The section from Whitendale onto Dunsop Fell – it is important you are adequately equipped as the walk covers extensive areas of open moorland, the route should not be attempted in bad weather.

10 miles, 6 hours

Shorter Route7 miles, 3.5 hours

Dunsop Bridge Circular Walk

Dunsop Bridge

SD6598 5017

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Walk Description

Ordnance Survey have declared Dunsop Bridge as the official centre of the British Isles, the famous explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes unveiled the plaque that verifies this. With resident ducks and grassy banks it is the perfect place to stop for a picnic or a cup of tea and a cake at Puddleducks cafe.

The first part of the walk follows the River Dunsop for a few miles up the Dunsop and Whitendale valleys; this is favourite with bird watchers as it is a prime spot for raptors including hen harrier, merlin, kestrel, peregrine falcon, short eared owl and goshawk, which are most commonly seen in spring. Closer to the village of Dunsop Bridge you might see house martin, swallow and great spotted woodpecker.

This is a wonderfully diverse walk starting with a picturesque village, a pleasant river valley amble followed by a steep ascent to open moorland and wonderful views across to Pendle Hill in one direction and Gisburn Forest and Stocks Reservoir in the other. Contrasting with a return via farmland and rolling hills – something for everyone!

About This Walk

GPS: SD 6598 5017Take the track in the centre of Dunsop Bridge between the Post Office and the Bridge.

GPS: SD 6576 5079Follow this track passing a row of houses on the right, here the track turns into a path and then crosses the river via a footbridge.

GPS: SD 6563 5097Turn right and follow the access-only road up the valley passing Bishops House on the left.

GPS: SD 6527 5318Continue and pass United Utilities installations and artificial concrete weirs. Cross a bridge followed by a short ascent to reach a road junction.

GPS: SD 6529 5366Turn right and follow the road to reach the hamlet of Whitendale (if you are following the shorter route, turn around and re-trace your steps)

GPS: SD 6600 5502At Whitendale turn right onto a track and walk past a barn, follow the waymarked zig zag track as it ascends Dunsop Fell to reach a gate in a wall.

GPS: SD 6667 5467Continue to follow the waymarked track over Dunsop Fell (it can be very wet and boggy underfoot) which eventually reaches a well defined wall.

GPS: SD 6744 5443Pass through a gate in the wall and bear right and descend the fell with Dunsop Brook to your left. On a clear day you will have fine views ahead to Stock’s Reservoir and Gisburn Forest and in the distance Pendle Hill.

GPS: SD 6875 5426As the track nears the fell end take a sharp right, continue and at a gate in the wall turn left and follow the waymarked path down passing Burnside.

GPS: SD 6912 5336Continue to the road, turn right and continue to the first house on the left - Laythams Holiday Cottages.

GPS: SD 6912 5284Follow the footpath opposite Laythams and cross diagonally left over a field to reach a stile in a fence. Continue down the field heading for a track. Cross the track and follow the path diagonally left across the field aiming for the bottom left corner of a wood plantation.

GPS: SD 6863 5285Cross a small stile in the fence next to the plantation (quite difficult to spot from afar), follow the edge of the plantation to a wall, turn right and soon after cross a wall stile into a field.

GPS: SD 6824 5284Walk across the field towards Burn House, reach the track and turn right around the back of Burn House.

GPS: SD 6739 5212Follow the track past The Hey and leave it at the footpath sign on the right. At the plantation cross a picturesque clough and over a stream and field to a gateway leading to Beatrix Farm.

GPS: SD 6652 5143Turn right along the lane and look for the footpath sign that crosses the large field on the right, following a line of overhead pylons. Head for a stile in the wall and descend steps to rejoin the lane, turn left to retrace your steps back to the start.

Alternative route suitable for pushchairs, wheelchairs and Trampers

GPS: SD 6588 5011Start the walk at point 1a. – the post office is on your right, go over the bridge, up the hill to the war memorial, on the next bend you will notice a signpost pointing right along a road.

GPS: SD 6554 5065Continue along this road for about ½ mile where the above route joins the track at Point 3, from here follow the above instructions from Point 4 to 6. Once at Whitendale, retrace your steps back to the start.

Note: the route is suitable for a wheelchair to Point 4 where you reach the United Utilities Installations; beyond here the track is a rough surface which may not be suitable.

Dunsop Bridge Circular Walk

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