The best hiking routes in Forest of Bowland National Landscape

The Forest of Bowland National Landscape is not a dense woodland, despite its historical name. Instead, it is a high, open upland of gritstone fells and deep, narrow valleys. The central core consists of expansive peat moorland, dominated by heather and cotton grass, which gives way to steep green pastures on the lower slopes. This is a working landscape of sheep farms and managed grouse moors, where dry stone walls mark the boundaries between the rough grazing land and the valley bottoms.

Walking here requires careful route-finding, as many paths across the high fells are faint sheep tracks or peat hags rather than well-defined gravel paths. Underfoot, the terrain is dominated by deep peat, which remains boggy and soft, requiring sturdy boots. On the lower slopes, such as around the Hodder and Wyre valleys, the paths transition to grassy riverside tracks and farm lanes, though these too can be muddy. There are few signposts once you leave the valley floors.

Unlike more rugged mountain regions, Bowland lacks rocky crags and high, jagged peaks. Its beauty lies in its vast, rolling plateaus, such as the Bowland Fells, and the quiet, wooded cloughs that cut through the hillsides. In August, the heather blooms across the high moors, turning the dark peat hillsides purple. It is a landscape that feels remote and empty, offering a quieter walking experience than the busier national parks nearby.