Jon McNicholl – Hurst Green walk, 27th April 2024

The walk starts at Hurst Green village and takes in riverside paths, various woodlands and a backdrop of moors and hills.
We start at the Shireburn pub with a gradual descent to the River Ribble, along winding paths. We rise slightly via a stile to bear left at the river. We soon skirt an aqueduct to return to the river and follow it towards a boathouse. We then go round quite a big bend next to the confluence of the Ribble and the Hodder rivers, maybe having lunch at some point during this stage of the walk.
We eventually leave the river to reach Winkley Hall Farm, passing through barns and a
pond on the left. We then climb out past Winkley Hall to cross several fields to reach a road at Hodder Place. There is now the option of going along the road or going through the approaching wood where we eventually cross a footbridge and then climb a long flight of wooden steps which is quite steep. After this we pass through a field to reach a road to eventually skirt Stoneyhurst College.
The last section of the walk takes in a couple of fields which may be muddy in places but present some spectacular views of Pendle Hill and the surrounding areas. Passing through a kissing gate at the end of the fields we finish with a short walk down the road to the Shireburn Arms or Bayley Arms, there is also a small cafe which may be open. Distance 6.5 miles/10.4 km.