MAR 2025 – 5.5 MILES – WHALLEY, RIVER CALDER AND READ PARK (WHALLEY, LANCASHIRE)

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My good friend shared a few walks from her hiking book, and this was the one I chose. It was a perfect halfway meeting point for us and seemed like a great new route to try. I mapped it out on my OS Maps app, and with that, we were all set for our first hike of 2025! 

Total Distance: 5.5 Miles
Steps: ~16,000 Steps
Highest Point: 475 Feet
Total Realistic Time: ~2.5 Hours

Whalley is a large village and civil parish in the Ribble Valley on the banks of the River Calder in Lancashire, England. It is overlooked by Whalley Nab, a large wooded hill over the river from the village.

The main road through Whalley is King Street, which leads through to Clitheroe Road. Neighbouring Whalley are the small villages of Wiswell, Billington, Barrow, and Read. Close by is Downham village and Pendle Hill which was made famous in William Harrison Ainsworth’s book The Lancashire Witches.[3]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whalley,_Lancashire

The car park offers public toilets and plenty of parking spaces. You can pay via the RingGo app or with cash.

Here’s the route we ended up taking! My friend found it in her book, and since neither of us had explored this area before, we thought it would be exciting to try something new.

The route is just a short walk from the car park. After crossing a busy road, it quickly leads you into a peaceful, tranquil setting.

Barney waited patiently as we got ourselves sorted and ready.

We wandered through the charming village of Whalley to reach the main trail.

We passed through stretches of lush greenery, interspersed with muddy patches — a typical sight for this time of year.

We strolled alongside the River Calder, surrounded by breathtaking views of the shimmering water and the iconic trees that framed the scene perfectly.

On our way back to the starting point, we spotted a café that caught our eye, thinking it would be the perfect spot to relax after our walk.

After our walks, we always treat ourselves to a well-deserved cake and drink — the perfect way to end the day. This spot is a hidden gem, offering lovely views of the River Calder as you devour your cake. 🤤

Conclusion:

This walk was much flatter than our usual hikes, making it ideal for a relaxed chat without all the heavy breathing from uphill climbs! If you’re after a pleasant, easy hike, this one is definitely worth a go.

GENERAL EQUIPMENT

  • Apple iPhone 15 Pro (for taking photos/videos and mapping using OS Maps)
  • Comfy walking shoes (most important)
  • Flask with Hot/Cold drink (a good cuppa is always welcome)
  • ibuprofen (helping hand if you have any aches and pains)
  • Food and snacks (fuel to keep you going)
  • Waterproof jacket (luckily we did not need it today 😮‍💨)

 

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