This is a varied walk, featuring the Leeds and Liverpool canal, The railway into Accrington, woodlands and open fields. It is about five miles long, with an easy grade.
Start in Clayton le Moors
This walk starts from the end of Atlas street in Clayton le Moors.
Firstly, Facing the motorway, turn left, down the road that leads to the canal, passing Accolade logistics. At the bottom, a narrow path passes to the left of the car crash assessors.
Next, turn right onto the canal towpath, the path changes sides at a road bridge, here, go past the buildings at Enfield Wharf.
Stay on the towpath until it reaches a farm on the left.
Cross a swing bridge, over the canal, on the right, then cross a stile and head left, paralleling the canal. Follow the canal, through a couple of gates and then head for the footbridge over the motorway.
Crossing the M65
After crossing the footbridge follow the vague path towards Huncoat. you can usually hear the dogs barking at the RSPCA shelter.
The path drops down to a footbridge and goes up some muddy steps. there are quite a few paths in the woods here, eventually, you should come out next to the railway level crossing, in Huncoat. There is a footbridge over the line, useful if the barriers are down. the Victorian Railway hotel is next to the station.
Cross Enfield Road and turn sharp right, past some new build housing. Continue on through the housing estate.
Next, keep on the path until you reach Bolton road and then turn left. Go up the road and turn right at the church. Close to the mini roundabout turn left up a narrow snicket between the houses. This leads to Accrington cemetery.
Turn right once in the cemetery and continue on until you reach a metal gate. Turn right and follow the cemetery wall, keep right until you cross the railway bridge.
Once over the bridge, turn right following the line, fork left behind the cricket club and keep on the path through the woods. Close to the end of the path, bend right and then left at a junction. This takes you on to Livingston road
At the end is Whalley road, cross it carefully and then turn right, turn left on to Wyresdale Avenue, then at the next junction, turn right. At the end turn left on to First Avenue, head down the slope till you reach Church Lane at the bottom
Here, Turn right and continue on until you reach Atlas Street, on the Left, you are now back at the start.
