Southern Loop Map and GPX

Go to Stage 13 for full details.

Go to Stage 13 for full details.

Go to Stage 7 for full details.

Go to Stage 14 for full details.

The stage is just 2 miles long and is a relaxed start, visiting the historic Winckley Square and the Avenham and Miller Parks by the River Ribble.

The stage is 6.25 miles long. After following the Ribble towards its estuary we then turn south and head towards the West Lancashire Plain. Much of the route follows the Ribble Way and ends at the Dolphin Pub, which is the start of the 72 miles route to it’s source near Ribblehead in Yorkshire.

The stage is 3.75 miles long following the Douglas past Tarleton with its historic “boatyards”. We also pass the final lock of the Rufford Branch of the Leeds Liverpool canal.

Another short stage of just 3.5 miles long. Bretherton has three churches and numerous old farm houses. This reflect the good living, which was earned from the draining of the “mosses” around this area from the year 1800.

After Croston we cross Mawdesley Moss, which is very typical of the landscape of the West Lancashire Plain.

The stage is 6.25 miles long with 586 ft of ascent. From Harrock Hill its on to Parbold Hill with its viewpoint, a descent down into the Douglas valley and then a stroll along the Leeds Liverpool canal into pretty Parbold. One of the best Stages on the Southern Loop of Lancashire Way!

At a modest 171m, Ashurst’s Beacon marks the highest point in this part of Lancashire. The stage is just 6.5 miles long with great views east on the decent down to Roby Mill and then back along the River Douglas into Gathurst.

The stage is another short one of just 3.25 miles. The village of Crooke is the start of our exploration of the industrial heritage of Lancashire.

The stage is 5.25 miles long and ends at Haigh Hall, which demonstrates the riches derivedfrom the exploitation of coal in this area and transportation of it to market by the canal.

Whilst canal walking is not to everybody’s taste the stage ends at Fredrick’s Ice Cream Parlour on the outskirts of Chorley, which has some the best ice cream in the county.

. From the modest hill called Healey Nab, with its views over Chorley, we descend into one of the prettiest villages in Lancashire, White Coppice.

We leave the idyllic cricket pitch of White Coppice and head south to the the Anglezarke Reservoir. We then cross over and follow the Upper Rivington Reservoir on it western side with some of the best views of the West Pennines.

The stage is 7 miles long and has an ascent of 1,400ft. After climbing through the lovely Terraced Gardens of Rivington we climb to the highest point in Southern Lancashire, Winter Hill at 1,496ft. The stage does not end there but then visits Great Hill, with some of the best panoramic views of this part of Lancashire.

As well as the Tower, we walk through the beautiful Roddlesworth Woods with three reservoirs and views back to the Tower.

We also visit Top’o’th’Lane in Brindle with good views back to Preston.

Whilst not a perfect stage, the route follows the pretty Cuerden valley and the final leg into Preston is along an old railway and tramway.