Objective: Take the train from Chorley to Burnley via Preston, returning on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal via Blackburn.

Trip Type: solo cycle

Distance: 29 miles

Time to complete: 3.5 hrs, 8.7 mph

Nicholson Guide: Guide 5, pp 119-127

Costs: free parking in Chorley. Train from Chorley to Burnley Manchester Road, 1 per hour, £12.30.

Difficulty: moderate

Adjacent Rides: Skipton to Burnley, Chorley to Burscough

Overview

A mixture of urban industrial landscapes and the Lancashire countryside take you on a winding route out of Burnley and through Accrington and Blackburn to Chorley. Some towpaths are good, some difficult to ride, and there are a few shallow flights of steps, so overall the ride is classed as MODERATE.

1. Chorley to Burnley (1 mile cycling)

Park on the B6228, Eaves Lane, Chorley, PR6 0TB, somewhere near Grey Heights View, or in Friday Street Car Park PR6 0AA, which is £4 for the day (Friday Street North car park has no height barrier and is suitable for motorhomes).

From Eaves Lane, cycle down the hill to Chorley Station on Brown Street or Seymour Street. Trains to Preston leave from Platform 1, the far side. Change at Preston for Burnley Manchester Road.

2. Burnley to Blackburn (17 miles)

From Burnley Manchester Road station entrance turn left down the hill, cross the large roundabout to Manchester Road Bridge 130B. At the far side of the bridge, take the slope on the right down to the towpath. Turn sharply back under the bridge to continue north west.

After a mile or so is Gannow Tunnel. Take the path uphill by the tunnel entrance, and follow signs for Tunnel West, which take you across a large roundabout (Burnley Barracks Interchange). Once you have gone under the roundabout on the cycleway tunnel bear left under the M65 sliproad, then right to rejoin the towpath which passes back under the M65.

The canal now winds its way to Accrington – there are no locks until Blackburn. The towpath condition is not great up to Accrington, and then is is partially metalled or gravelled through Rishton to Blackburn, and the 6 Blackburn locks.

At Kirk Church Changeline Bridge, 112, there is a carry up steps as the towpath changes sides, which it is not possible to avoid. There are one or two other shallow flights of steps along the way as well.

3. Blackburn to Chorley (11 miles)

Once out of Blackburn the towpath is recently laid rough gravel, which is quite difficult to cycle (but better than the muddy track that was there before I am told). It improves at Chorley locks. The Top Lock pub was not open when I cycled past (Autumn 2025) but fingers crossed it finds new owners as it has been an excellent pub in the past.

As you pass Chorley Bottom Lock, you will see the Walton Summit Branch to your right. This is a 400m stretch which you can take in there and back in a few extra minutes.

Continue to Froom Street Bridge, 77A. 100m past the bridge a path doubles back up a small slope to Grey Heights View. Cycle up the road to the junction with Eaves Lane and your car (or continue down to Friday Street Car Park).

A celebratory pint at The Malt N Hops, Friday Street, close to the station, is recommended.