Bowland National Landscape – Moorland Hills, Forest Valleys, and Quiet Countryside Routes

Open Fells, Wooded Cloughs, and England’s Quiet Walking Country

Bowland National Landscape in North West England brings together self-guided travel, walking routes, upland landscapes, and small rural places across a wide area of moorland hills, wooded valleys, and farmland between the Forest of Bowland fells, the Ribble Valley, and the edge of the Yorkshire Dales. It is a region shaped less by dramatic peaks and more by space, quiet, and long, steady journeys through one of England’s least visited upland interiors.

Walking here feels unhurried and immersive. Broad ridgelines roll across open heather moor, narrow cloughs cut down through woodland and streams, and quiet lanes connect stone villages and isolated farms. Routes tend to flow with the land rather than fight it, following contours, rivers, and old tracks that have linked these hills for centuries.

The character of Bowland is subtle but expansive. Instead of sharp summits or crowded honeypots, the landscape is defined by rounded fells, long views, and big skies. Progress is measured in miles rather than metres climbed. This creates walking that suits sustained, thoughtful movement — ideal for full days on foot or multi-day self-guided journeys between villages and valleys.

Water shapes much of the terrain. Fast streams tumble through wooded gorges, reservoirs gather in the folds of the hills, and the River Hodder and River Ribble carve natural corridors through the countryside. These valleys provide structure and shelter, offering softer routes that contrast with the open moorland above.

Woodland adds depth and variety. Ancient oak woods and conifer plantations line the cloughs and lower slopes, particularly around the Forest of Bowland itself, creating shaded paths and seasonal colour. In autumn especially, the mixture of heather, bracken, and trees gives the landscape a rich, textured feel.

Human presence is light and dispersed. Small villages such as Slaidburn, Dunsop Bridge, and Chipping sit quietly within the valleys, acting as natural pauses rather than busy centres. Dry-stone walls, barns, and grazing sheep reinforce the long pastoral history of the area, where farming still shapes the land as much as conservation.

Despite its scale, Bowland remains relatively unknown compared with neighbouring national parks. This lack of pressure gives it a rare sense of calm. Walkers often find long stretches of path entirely to themselves, accompanied only by wind over the fells or the sound of water in the valley below.

Long-distance and linking routes pass through the landscape, connecting Bowland with surrounding regions. Trails from the Ribble Valley and the Yorkshire Dales enter the hills naturally, allowing extended journeys that combine open upland walking with village stays and riverside sections.

Beyond walking, the area lends itself to low-impact outdoor exploration. Cycling quiet lanes, wildlife watching, and photography all suit the slow, spacious nature of the terrain. Dark skies and minimal development also make Bowland one of England’s better places for stargazing.

Accommodation is typically found in villages and market towns around the edges of the hills rather than deep within them. This separation encourages deliberate entry into the landscape each day, reinforcing the sense of travelling through a place rather than simply visiting it.

For those seeking calm, continuity, and open ground away from busier mountain regions, Bowland National Landscape offers one of England’s most peaceful and rewarding walking environments.

Where to Walk and Explore

Open Moorland and Fell Ridges

‍Wide heather-covered hills with long views and steady, uninterrupted walking across rounded uplands.

Wooded Cloughs and River Valleys

‍Sheltered routes beside streams and rivers, weaving through woodland and pasture between higher ground.

Forest of Bowland Core Hills

‍Remote upland terrain with quiet tracks, reservoirs, and expansive skies at the heart of the landscape.

Ribble Valley and Village Links

‍Gentle countryside routes connecting stone villages, farms, and historic market towns at the edges of the fells.

Adventure Highlights

• Broad, quiet upland walking away from crowds
• Heather moorland and open fell country
• Deep wooded valleys and fast-flowing streams
• Traditional stone villages and pastoral farmland
• Dark skies and strong sense of remoteness
• Ideal terrain for long, steady, self-guided routes