Ryal Fold - Darwen Moor - Jubilee Tower - Sunnyhurst - Ryal Fold

Barry Smith

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This walk starts at the car park at Ryal Fold, just off the A675, 5km north of Belmont. You get all your climbing out of the way in the first quarter of the walk, then just enjoy the views!

The route continues over old mining paths to Darwen Tower, built in 1897 to commemorate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee. It is possible to climb the spiral staircase to the top of the 86ft tower, from where there are superb views.

From Darwen Hill the 300ft India Mill Chimney can be seen. The textile magnate Eccles Shorrock built the mill in the 1850s. Shorrock was the last owner of Hollinshead Hall, though he never actually lived there. After your visit to the tower, further on down the trail is the 85-acre Sunnyhurst Wood with its seven miles of public footpaths, visitor centre, tea shop and kiosk.

From here the path goes back to Rydal Fold. In the village is a pub, serving good food and beer. The walk is great because it has something for everyone, it's not too strenuous and there is plenty to see along the way, especially the history and the superb views.

England - North England - Lancashire - West Pennine Moors

Features

Ancient Monument, Food Shop, Hills or Fells, Moor, Nature Trail, Play Area, Tea Shop, Toilets, Wildlife, Woodland

8/23/2014 - Ian Humphreys

Did this walk yesterday 22/08/14. Brilliant weather, not too warm. Could see as far as the Lakes. Currently United Utilities are doing some work on one of the reservoirs and therefore the route before Waymark 12 changes, via a small carpark to the right and then into Sunnyhurst Woods. There is a sign which points the way at the car park but then after that - nothing ! (thank you United Utilities). However if you simply keep turning left wherever possible on the path in the woods and keep on the main path eventually you come to a lane. Turn left and then right after about 100 yds onto another lane and then you are back on the original track again, walk across the dam. When you get to the other side and walk up Donkey Walk/Rise, then the stile on the left has been replaced by a gate. We can recommend the food in the pub at the end of the walk. Also, Slipper Lowe car park is permanently closed apparently due to 'unsociable acts' all hours of the day as advised by someone in the pub so do park near the pub in the public car park near the bus stop.

7/25/2014 - Mark Ziprin

Very nice walk with great views from the tower. I do this regularly now as it is on the way home after work. Only thing is that Slipper Lowe car park seems to have been closed for quite a while. I park near the pub where there is a public parking area and take the suggested walk through the woods instead of the road to the start of the uphill bit.

10/30/2012 - Barry Smith

Thanks for the kind feedback Robert, I am pleased you liked the walk! I have recently done a re-walk and will put the (slight)changes in to the end of the walk as soon as I can.

10/28/2012 - Robert Hughes

Just completed this excellent walk with the suggested variation at the end through very attractive woodland - especially at this time of year as the leaves are turning. Others should be aware that this adds about 870 m to the direct route back to the car park and also, as there is some descent, another ascent of around 60m for the last kilometre. Nevertheless very worthwhile. Barry's directions were excellent.

6/19/2012 - Barry Smith

Thanks for the feedback Alec. I intend to re-walk this in the near future and the finish is one of the changes I will make.

6/18/2012 - Alec Jackson

Further to Carl's comment regarding nature trail back to the car park I did the walk today and would offer the following detailed instructions for return to car park from Rydal Fold. When you reach the pub at Rydal Fold there is a gate directly opposite the track. Cross over the road and go through gate. Follow path down and just before third flight of steps turn left and follow narrow path. At the junction turn right (signposted 'Nature Trail'). At the next junction turn left and follow path down until you reach the bridge over the river. Do not cross the bridge but follow the path uphill (signposted 'Slipper Lowe car park'). At the top of the hill follow the road around to the left and back to the car park. Do not follow path down hill.

9/1/2008 - Carl Tillotson

Nice walk, and offers good views of the Lancashire landscape (on a clear day at least!). We extended the walk to take in the nature trail, alluded to in the notes. This does make a more pleasent ending, going through the woods down to the river for a bit of climb back to the car park.

6/17/2007 - RICHARD SWIFT

A TRULY MARVELLOUS WALK. THE VIEWS FROM DARWEN MOOR,OVER BLACKBURN AND DARWEN ARE EXCEPTIONAL. THE RESOVOIR AREA IS ALSO VERY SCENIC.