Ribble Way

A beautiful riverside walk along one of Lancashire's major rivers. From the wide-open estuary the route runs through Preston and on to historic Clitheroe, and then cuts into the Pennines to reach its source on remote Cam Fell. Until the final moorland section, the route passes through secluded rolling pastoral countryside without straying far from civilisation.

Originally proposed by local Ramblers members in the 1970s, the route eventually attracted official support and was opened in 1985. Since then, several improvements to the alignment have been made: the Cicerone guide below details the latest route.

Connects with Dales Way, Pennine Bridleway, Pennine Way (E2), Round Preston Walk

Local authorities Lancashire, North Yorkshire

Parks and countryside Yorkshire Dales National Park

Click here to find bed & breakfast accommodation on this path.

Explorer maps OL2, OL41
Landranger maps 102, 103
The route is shown on recent editions of these maps.
Route maps are also downloadable from Lancashire council's website.

Publications

• The Ribble Way: A Northern England Trail by Dennis Kelsall and Jan Kelsall, ISBN 1 85284 456 6. Cicerone £10.
  Pocket-sized guide with full route description, OS 1:50 000 map extracts, photos, practical advice and entertaining background information. Divides the route into seven stages, each with notes for day walkers suggesting options for returning to your starting place on foot or by public transport. A completely new book that supercedes the previous Cicerone guide by Gladys Sellers. [07/05]
• Walking the Ribble Way: a guide from sea to source by Alan Shepley and Graham Wilkinson, ISBN 0 9541809 1 7. Wood Education Programme Trust £7.50 + 80p p&p. Order from 20 Brooklands, Chipping, Preston PR3 2QU.
  Colour guide with sketch maps, route description, transport details, background, perhaps not as comprehensive as Cicerone guide above [12/05].