THE TOLKIEN TRAIL — WALK IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF J.R.R TOLKIEN

This trail in Lancashire takes you along the landscape that inspired Tolkien’s Middle-earth

Start: Stonyhurst College, Clitheroe

Distance: 7 miles

Duration: 2.5 hours

Elevation: 500 feet

Difficulty: Easy

Navigation: Follow step-by-step on komoot, or download GPX file

J.R.R. Tolkien — one of the most ground-breaking writers of our time.

But did you know Tolkien was renowned for his love of nature and wooded landscapes found here on this 7 mile walk in the Ribble Valley? It was whilst Tolkien spent time at Stonyhurst College in the Ribble Valley (the starting point of our trail), that he penned the long awaited follow up to The Hobbit. During WW2. Tolkien visited his eldest son, John, who was studying for the priesthood. John had been evacuated with the English College in Rome, to the Jesuit seminary at St Mary's Hall, which is now Stonyhurst College.

"Some of the most dramatic and vivid chapters were written during the war years - from Gandalf's fall into darkness in Moria, written in 1941, to the long, painful journey of Frodo and Sam into Moria , which occupied much of 1944.”

But his relationship with the area doesn’t end there. Tolkien's son Michael, taught Classics at Stonyhurst College in the late 1960's to the early 1970's. And as you walk across the trail, you’ll certainly find specific nods of inspiration in the form of places like The Shireburn Arms.

Walking the trail

J. R. R. Tolkien was renowned for his love of nature and wooded landscapes and the countryside around Stonyhurst is richly beautiful. A number of names which occur in ‘The Lord of the Rings’ are similar to those found locally, including Shire Lane (in Hurst Green) and the River Shirebourn (similar to the name of the family which built Stonyhurst).

The ferry at Hacking Boat House (still working when J.R.R. Tolkien was here) may have provided the inspiration for the Buckleberry Ferry in the book, and the view from Tom Bombadil’s house may have been based on that from New Lodge, which is a Master’s house at nearby Stonyhurst College. Hacking Boat House is part of the Foxfields Farm estate.

If you fancy following in the footsteps of the author and walking this gentle circular route, we recommend you download our map here. You can then plot this route on your chosen map (such as Ordnance Survey or komoot), or simply follow along via our komoot route here.

Our walk starts at Stonyhurst College — a place that holds incredible significance to J.R.R. Tolkien and his writings. And as for the college itself? Well, it’s definitely worth a peep if you’re able to book in advance. Picture a real-life Hogwarts hidden in the Ribble Valley countryside. Unreal.

Good-to-knows

What kit do I need?

This is a gentle, circular walk that can easily be enjoyed in half a day, so you don’t need to go as far as carrying trekking poles and survival whistles.  That said, we’d never head off on any walk without proper shoes, a proper coat, and some good layers (this is the North of England, after all). Some sections of this route can get very muddy, so I’d still bring your boots along with you.

Plus, you’ll find several scenic spots along the way perfect for a pitstop, so if the weather’s looking good it’s definitely worth bringing some picnic essentials with you.

Parking

• We parked roadside at Stonyhurst College, but there is also ample parking in Hurst Green — including a car park at The Memorial Hall. The car park is free of charge, with an optional donation of £2 to help towards the upkeep of the memorial hall.

Places to eat/drink:

• The Shireburn Arms: Does it get any more LOTR than a pitstop at The Shireburn Arms mid-route? Plus, inside, it gets even better. Expect open fireplaces and cosy corners, and proper pub grub aplenty.

• Millie’s: A charming cafe in the heart of Hurst Green, close to the start of the route. This place serves up beautiful home baked cakes, so if you prefer your sweet treat pitstop to be at the latter end of the route, we’d reccommend following the walk in reverse. Millie’s is also home to an impressive LOTR map donning one of its walls making it well worth the visit in itself.

Fancy giving this one ago? Check out our full guide on Instagram

More routes like this one:

• Pendle Hill Witch Walk

• Jamestone Quarry Walk

WINTER HILL AND RIVINGTON PIKE CIRCULAR

Enjoy this short ascent up to two iconic Lancashire landmarks

Start: Rivington Hall Car Park, Bolton, BL6 7SD

Distance: 6.15 miles

Duration: 2-3 hours

Elevation: 1,300 feet

Navigation: follow our route here

This Lancashire walk takes you to two incredible viewpoints in one route. You begin your ascent up to Winter Hill via Rivington Country Park, taking you 1,496 feet high up to the summit.

While there are a variety of routes to choose from, our favourite is this 6 mile walk which takes in arguable the best views and scenery across Bolton, Wigan and the West Pennines Moors.

After a brisk hike from Rivington Pike you'll soon approach Winter Hill, which reaches an elevation of 1,496 feet. The views from here are nothing short of breathtaking, especially during the winter months when the landscape is adorned with a pristine layer of snow. The panoramic vista extends as far as the eye can see, with the city of Manchester on one side and the rolling hills of Lancashire on the other.

What is Winter Hill?

After reaching the almost dystopian summit of Winter Hill, you may be left thinking “what on earth is this place?”. I know we certainly were.

While the reality of Winter Hill is a little less glamorous than my imagination led me to believe, the transmitting station is a working broadcasting and telecommunications site and is responsible for bringing you all your favourite local TV channels.

Rivington

Just over the border between Greater Manchester and Lancashire, Rivington is a magical landscape where mysterious ruins are nestled between magnificent reservoirs, moor tops and woodland aplenty.

It’s a place that’s packed with wholesome things to do, whether that’s exploring Rivington Terraced Gardens or going on an aerial adventure at Go Ape. The area is so stunning it was even dubbed "the Little Lake District” by the Victorians.

good-to-knows

amenities

• The pike snack shack

You’ll pass this quaint little coffee shop at the base of Rivington Pike, offering a selection of hot and cold beverages and snacks.

Location: Rivington Pike Cottage, Horwich, Bolton, BL6 6RU

• The Tea Room at Rivington

For a delightful cup of tea and some light bites, visit "The Tea Room at Rivington," nestled in a picturesque spot near Rivington Hall Barn.

Location: Rivington Hall Barn, Rivington Lane, Rivington, Bolton, BL6 7SB

• The Rivington PUB and grill

Before or after your hike, stop by "The Rivington," a charming pub near Rivington Pike known for its cosy atmosphere and hearty fare.

Location: Rivington Lane, Horwich, Bolton, BL6 7SB

• GO APE

Located close to Bolton and only 30-minutes from Manchester, Go Ape Rivington features exhilarating 13-metre-high platforms, beautiful country views and a zip wire over the reservoir.

Location: Great House Barn, Rivington, Horwich, BL6 7SB

Parking Options

Rivington Pike Car Park

Location: Rivington Pike Car Park, Rivington Lane, Horwich, Bolton, BL6 7SB

Public Transport

If you prefer or require to travel via public transport, you can reach Rivington Pike and Winter Hill by bus or train:

Bus:

• The 125 and 575 bus routes have stops near Rivington Pike.

• Check the latest bus schedules and routes to plan your journey.

Train:

• Take a train to Horwich Parkway station.

• From there, you can catch a bus or even walk to Rivington Pike.

Fancy giving it a go? Follow our route here