Start: The Boars's Head Inn, Hoghton Lane (A675).

 

From junction 3 of the M65 take the A675 towards Preston. After passing Hoghton Tower car parking is available close to the village hall and cricket field on the left. The Boar's Head is a little further on the right.

Fact file:  Distance: 10k 6 miles
                 Time: 2 ½ - 3 ½ hours
                 Summary: Though the countryside is gentle this walk includes three sustained climbs so should not be attempted by those readers who prefer their walking to be close to the horizontal. Apart from these the rest of it is easy.
                 Map: OS Explorer 287 The West Pennine Moors

Directions: From the Boar's Head turn left into Chapel Lane towards Hoghton Bottoms.

Map by kind permission of the Blackpool Gazette

 

 

Keep ahead past a long row of properties. After the last of these turn left over a stile

onto a footpath leading across pasture to a stone bridge over the railway.

 Cross the bridge and after a stile and a kissing gate

cross two large fields (in a straight line from the bridge) to a narrow gap in a fence.

Here the path is somewhat overgrown as it enters a thicket of shrubs and young trees

but the way bends to the right to emerge close to a footbridge.

Cross the footbridge and keep ahead to reach the rear of Highfield.

As you come close to the farm turn right over a makeshift stile

and then follow the drive between buildings

 and then to a junction of farm roads.

Here turn left through a side gate next to a forbidding metal gate.

As you approach the farm cross a stile on the left.

 Keep ahead into the next field

and then bear left on a stony track that traverses a large field.  When the track turns to the right continue to the field corner cross a stile

 and then follow a broad track that edges alongside a wood on the right.

The track drops to the River Darwen.

When you reach it turn left and follow it downstream. 

In a little under 500m close to a weir the path turns away from the river to reach a stile leading onto Goosefoot Lane.

Turn right. There now follows a lengthy road walk thankfully along quiet lanes. Cross Samlesbury Bridge and follow the lane beyond

 as climbs up to Nab's Head. (This is the first climb)

At the first junction turn right into Further Lane

and keep on it as it leaves the village.  After Copster Farm turn right into Alum Scar Lane.

 Follow this past Wallbanks House and then where the lane turns right bear left on a track as is descends into woods.

After crossing Arley Brook over a substantial bridge the bridleway

 begins to ascend to Alum Scar. (This is the second climb). Incidentally Alum was a mineral highly prized to its properties in dyeing. When you arrive at the large house bear right towards Close Farm.

Now on the Witton Weavers Way pass to the right of the farm

and then bear left into the adjoining field.

Initially the path follows the hedge downhill and then bears slightly left across a depression to a stile in a wall.

Continue downhill following the fence on the right. The path here as benefited from recent improvement - after wet weather this section of the walk could turn into a quagmire.

The path climbs out of a dip into more open space before continuing the descent to the River Darwen through trees.

 Close to a scout hut the way levels out and soon brings you in sight of Hoghton Bottoms. After reaching the first property turn right through its garden

 and keep ahead for the bridge which you cross.

In Medieval times the ford close to the footbridge was the only crossing place of the river between Blackburn and Preston. It is hard to visualise that the sleepy hamlet was once such a vital link between the two towns. Walk pass cottages

and Hoghton Hall to a junction. A right turn here will lead directly back to the car park but a more interesting way will be to go by Hoghton Tower.

Turn left into Viaduct Road. After 200 metres turn right over a stile

and follow the follow path uphill. (This is the final climb)When you reach the railway exercising all caution cross it to enter the grounds of the Hoghton Tower estate.

 Follow the path as it bears right alongside the estate wall first through woods

 and then pasture.

The path will bring you to the drive of Hoghton Tower and what a magnificent drive it is.

 You can even walk along it down to the A675 turning right for the car park.