Start: Lay by just before Hareden, Trough of Bowland Road. From Junction 31a M6 follow signs for Longridge. From Longridge follow signs for Whitewell and then Dunsop Bridge. As you approach Dunsop Bridge take the road for Lancaster. Hareden  is on the left after one mile.

Fact file:  Distance: 10k
                 Time: 3 - 4 hours
                 Summary:  For the most part though the country is wild the walking uses shooters' tracks allowing good progress to be made up and down the valleys. However at the top of Hareden Fell an awkward moorland crossing has to be made which would prove more difficult in misty conditions.
                 Map: OS OL 41 The Forest of Bowland

Map by kind permission of the Blackpool Gazette

Directions: Walk down to the lane end and turn left over the bridge.

On reaching the first farm buildings bear right

past the farm house and then beyond kennels left over a bridge and through a metal gate.

 Continue on the lane quickly reaching Hareden House and the water works of Hareden Intake.

 Keep ahead to a gate

and then, after a footbridge,

continue along a shooters' track which will take you the top of Hareden Fell. This is almost a secret valley and not much visited. 

 From the intake to the end of the track is a distance of over 2k and while easy underfoot expect a steep climb as you near the top. As the track levels out you'll pass a shooting hut to the right of the track.

The track ends in a large turning circle close to grouse butts to the left.

Now comes the tricky bit - a 15 minute traverse of peat and heather without a discernible path. The way is right of the turning circle.  Ahead you may spot an isolated standing rock - not particularly tall.

 Bear to the right of this and as you cross the crest of the moor you will intercept a ribbon of a path leading down towards Bleadale Water.

 Gradually the path becomes more definite as it descends into the valley.

Keep on it and as it makes its way through bracken and fern Langden Castle will come into sight.

As you near the junction of valleys drop to a wooden gate and after passing through it aim for another. In between you will have to cross Bleadale Water.

After the second gate you will have to cross Langden Brook. At some times of the year it will not be possible to do this without getting your feet wet.

Close inspection of Langden Castle reveals that it is not a castle at all - it's another shooting lodge. When you reach it turn right onto a track following Langden Brook downstream.  In a little under 500m the track divides.

You have a choice making no difference at all to the final outcome. The track to the right keeps close to the valley bottom. The track to the left climbs up to the edge of Mouse Hill before being reunited with the valley track. In clear weather we recommend the "high" road so lovely views of Bowland.

It also has the merit of a close up view of Holdron Castle - another non-castle - this one being a craggy knoll best seen after you past it and look back up the valley.
Once back in the valley, if you ever left it, keep ahead past a utility service building

 to reach the complex of the Langden Intake that manages water ultimately bound for Manchester. In winter when there is less foliage you may see "Miranda" a nymph like statue that adorns one of the pools. She was placed there in 1954 to commemorate the completion of extensive engineering of water works in the area.

Beyond the cottage an avenue leads down to the Trough Road.

 Just before you reach the road turn right through a kissing gate

and then cross Langden Brook by way of a footbridge. 

The footpath beyond leads alongside  Langden Brook back to Hareden. 

Close to Hareden cross a stile on the right.

After a footbridge turn left over a stile to return to the car.