APR 2025 – 5.5 MILES – PARBOLD HILL AND THE FAIRY GLEN (PARBOLD, LANCASHIRE)

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Last time, my good friend shared a few walks from her hiking book, and this was the next one I chose. It turns out it’s not far from a previous walk we did—Beacon Fell Country Park. I was drawn to the name ‘The Fairy Glen’ and had a feeling it might have a hobbit-like vibe, and I wasn’t disappointed!

Total Distance: 5.5 Miles
Steps: ~16,000 Steps
Highest Point: 455 Feet
Total Realistic Time: ~2.5 Hours

Parbold lies in the valley of the River Douglas, at the bottom of the western side of Parbold Hill. The village centre is about 3 mi (4.8 km) west of junction 27 of the M6 motorway on the A5209.

The village can also be reached by rail on the line from Manchester to Southport. Close to the village centre the Leeds and Liverpool Canal passes over the River Douglas. The nearest sizable towns are Skelmersdale (about 5 miles away), Ormskirk (7 miles), and Wigan (9 miles).

The village is dominated by Parbold Hill which rises to 400 feet above sea level, the top of which is approximately 1 mile to the east of the village.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parbold

There’s free parking at the station for up to 3 hours, and plenty of off-street parking available in the area as well.

Here is the route we took – it is called the Parbold Hill and The Fairy Glen trail.

Starting at Parbold railway station, we headed toward Prior’s Wood Hall. The trail is mostly clear and well-signposted, though some sections pass through farm fields where the path isn’t as distinct.

After crossing through farmer’s fields and navigating a narrow stretch, the path widens as you get closer to The Fairy Glen, with Barney leading the way!

As we stepped into The Fairy Glen, we were greeted by a lush, wooded area filled with towering trees and vibrant greenery. It was the perfect spot to pause, enjoy our lunch, and take in the beautiful views. 🤩

As we neared Parbold, we decided to take a detour along the canal route back to the station. With the sun shining and the water shimmering, reflecting the trees, it was too beautiful to pass up.

As usual, we were on the lookout for a coffee shop to wrap up our day. There was one by the canal, but it was closed. Fortunately, we spotted The Windmill Hotel Pub nearby, which had both a cake and coffee menu, along with a lunch menu. Perfect! They had outdoor seating, so Barney joined us for a drink.

There was plenty to choose from, and I opted for the cheesecake of the day—vanilla. Since it was a hot, sunny day, we both went for cold drinks. I had a shandy, while my friend chose apple crumble and custard, along with a fruity cider. She couldn’t resist diving into her crumble before I could snap a photo, but the main thing was she enjoyed it! 🤤

Conclusion:

This was another flat walk. Since we’re in Lancashire, the trails aren’t as steep as those in the Lake District or Peak District, so we’re easing ourselves in with plenty more walks ahead. Our goal is at least one a month! This route offers a bit of everything—canal paths, woodlands, and open countryside. I hope you get to enjoy it too!

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)

 

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