Preston

About trip

A walk full of hidden gems starting from the city centre then heading to the outskirts, where three's woodland, parkland, and countryside to explore.

Taken from the January 2014 issue of Lancashire Walks and Wildlife.

• Leave Preston station from the side entrance and turn right, walking downhill towards the multi-storey car park. Follow the footpath around, crossing the road near the entrance to the car park then take the flight of steps ahead up onto the bridge.

• At the top of the steps turn left and then right into East Cliff Road and enter Avenham Park at the end of the road. After entering the park, take the path to your right and follow it downhill, over the broad footpath and then bear slight right following the ‘Bamber Bridge Cycleway’ sign. Once on the bridge turn left and follow the broad cycle path.

• Remain on this cycle path for around two miles, following the signs towards Bamber Bridge at the junctions you pass along the way. Shortly after you cross Todd Lane North, the cycleway ends at a large dual carriageway - the A6 - next to a roundabout. With care, cross to the other side and take the signed public footpath directly opposite, which passes through a kissing gate.

• Do not cross the stile ahead, instead turn left and follow the path through the woodland alongside the road. The path winds through the woodland and along the back of a row of houses before emerging after just under a mile onto a tarmac cycle path next to a bridge.

• Turn right here and then left along the road at the bottom. When you reach Hennel Lane - B6230 - turn right and follow It to the roundabout and turn left onto Chorley Road. Just before you reach the bridge, turn left again following the public footpath sign along Walton Green.

• Continue along this track as it passes a school and runs next to ariver. Pass under the large road bridge and continue straight ahead on the path, bringing you back to the River Ribble.

• Turn right to cross the old tram bridge back into Avenham Park and follow the path ahead to pass the Belvedere and return you to the entry point. From here retrace your steps back to Preston station and the beginning of the walk.