Tolkien Trail (7 miles)

One of Lancashire's most popular trails: 2½ hour walk (6.5 miles).
GPS MAP2050965
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MAP: Start GREEN dot → End RED dot
262

The Hobbit


AUDIO BOOK: Listen to The Hobbit as you walk. Wonderful BBC radio broadcast (1968).
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Tolkien Trail (7 miles)


If this is your first visit we recommend using the GPS map (green button above) and you won't miss any of this wonderful walk!

The Tolkien Trail winds for almost seven miles through undulating farmland, past the grand buildings of Stonyhurst College, and across historic landmarks like Cromwell's Bridge, an overgrown packhorse bridge once used by Oliver Cromwell in the English Civil War. The walk takes you through the very landscapes that inspired the author (J.R.R. Tolkien) while creating the Shire, the rural homeland of the hobbits. Take your time and allow 2½-3 hours to complete this adventure.


DIRECTIONS

  • START AT THE WAR MEMORIAL in the centre of Hurst Green (opposite Millie's Cafe). You will see the sign WARREN FOLD opposite the Memorial - walk [150 METRES] along this road onto the fields. Walk a further [200 METRES] towards SMITHY ROW COTTAGES then turn right. Follow the path [800 METRES] towards Stonyhurst School keeping FOX FALL WOOD on your left.

  • STONYHURST COLLEGE [20 mins from start]: After FOX FALL WOOD go through wooden gate and turn right towards Stonyhurst School OBSERVATORY. Continue along this track [150 METRES] until you reach HALL BARNS FARM. Turn left and walk [600 METRES] towards KNOWLE BROW. Cross the main road and immediately opposite/left follow the farm track [350 METRES] until you reach OVER HACKING WOOD. Now turn RIGHT into the field. Keeping the woods on your left walk [350 METRES] until you reach a gate/stile. Go into the woods and follow path [250 METRES] down to the STONE BRIDGE. Cross the stone bridge and walk up the hill [200 METRES] towards HODDER COURT.

  • HODDER COURT [1 hour from start]: Continue past Hodder Court and walk [150 METRES] down towards the RIVER HODDER. Go through gate into field and follow path [1000 METRES] until you reach the main road.

  • CROMWELL BRIDGE [1 hour 15 mins from start]: Turn RIGHT at Longridge Road and walk [420 METRES] up to KNOWLES BROW bus stop. Go through the gate opposite the bus stop and walk [200 METRES] towards SPRING WOOD. Keeping the woods on your left walk another [450 METRES] towards PIGGERIES PEN and go through gate. Turn LEFT and walk [500 METRES] down the private road to WINCKLEY HALL FARM - walk through the farm to the River Ribble footpath.

  • RIVER RIBBLE FOOTPATH [1 hour 40 mins from start]: Follow river footpath [2000 METRES] to JUMBLES ROCKS (WEIR). Continue along path [1500 METRES] to RAID DEEP WOODS. Walk through gate into woods and follow path [100 METRES] to the small wooden bridge. Finally walk up the field [600 METRES] towards Hurst Green and finish at The Shireburn Arms car park.

  • TOTAL WALK TIME: APPROXIMATELY 2½ - 3 HOURS

DOWNLOAD MAP


Please note: The Tolkien Trail is not signposted and it is easy to get lost without the GPS map (above). You will need GPS LOCATION enabled.




Quick Links (1 - 16)
Feed Ducks (1 Mile) » 848
St Peter's Club & Bar » 155
Countryside Code » 138
Marles Wood (6 miles) » 990
Millie's Cafe » 376
The Shire » 1136
Forest Walk (2 Miles) » 3583
Fell & River (13 Miles) » 2152
Fell Walk (9 Miles) » 1638
Tolkien Trail (7 miles) » 20258
River Walk (5 Miles) » 6463
Shireburn Arms » 575
MAPS » 5147
J R R Tolkien » 1210
Eat - Drink - Be Merry » 995
Tolkien Trail Walks » 1742

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HURST GREEN, LANCASHIRE. BB79QP

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