Ribble Valley Jubilee Trail
A 62-mile long-distance path in Lancashire and North Yorkshire devised by Ribble Valley Borough Council to celebrate the beautiful countryside of the Ribble Valley and Forest of Bowland. With map, statistics, and GPX route file.
Statistics and Files
Grid Ref: SD 733 363
Distance: 62 miles (100 km)
Time: 24–32 hours
Duration: 4–6 days
Ordnance Survey Explorer Maps (1:25,000):
OL2 Yorkshire Dales – Southern and Western Area
OL21 South Pennines – Burnley, Hebden Bridge, Keighley and Todmorden
OL41 Forest of Bowland and Ribblesdale
287 West Pennine Moors, Blackburn, Darwen, Accrington and Bolton North
Summary
As part of Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in 2022, this circular walking trail around the beautiful Ribble Valley and Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty was created by Ribble Valley Borough Council. Keen walker Stuart Hurst, Mayor of the Council at the time, devised this route with seven stages linking scenic local villages and places of interest around the Ribble Valley.
Starting in the popular walking town of Whalley, the route is split into seven easily manageable sections and is designed to be walked as a challenging three-day trek or a more relaxed 5–7 day walking tour. Along the way, the walk visits picture-postcard villages like Downham and Slaidburn and climbs to the summit of iconic Pendle Hill. The route was planned, reconnoitred, and waymarked personally by Stuart with help from council colleagues and the support of Lancashire Footpaths Officers.
It is suitable for experienced walkers comfortable covering 7–12 miles a day in hilly terrain, although shorter individual sections can comfortably be completed by less experienced walkers. As well as a fitting Jubilee tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in her Platinum Jubilee year, the route also serves as a permanent visitor attraction supporting the Ribble Valley’s tourism offer to attract walkers to explore this beautiful — but often overlooked — area of rural Lancashire. (Source: Ribble Valley Borough Council)