Big empty gritstone moors and quiet fells in Lancashire, with Pendle Hill off to the east and Ward's Stone at the heart
Don’t be misled by the name — the forest here is old hunting ground, and what you actually get is open moorland of heather, peat and gritstone under a wide sky. The Forest of Bowland covers 806 square kilometres of Lancashire and a slice of North Yorkshire, and it stays quiet even in summer.
Ward’s Stone is the high point of the main block, a boggy fell walk best saved for a dry spell. Off to the east Pendle Hill rises on its own above the Ribble valley, known for the witch trials of 1612 and a steep, popular pull to the top. Fair Snape Fell sits over the western moors.
For gentler going, the Ribble Way follows the river along the southern edge and the Pennine Bridleway crosses the higher ground. The moor tops are exposed with few landmarks, so a map and compass are worth their place when cloud comes down.
