The Tolkien Trail from Hurst Green loop – Forest of Bowland
The Tolkien Trail from Hurst Green loop – Forest of Bowland
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The Tolkien Trail from Hurst Green loop – Forest of Bowland
02:52
10.7km
130m
Hiking
Embark on a moderate hike through the picturesque Forest of Bowland on the Tolkien Trail from Hurst Green. This 6.6 miles (10.7 km) loop takes you along undulating farmland, through lush woodlands, and beside the Rivers Ribble, Hodder, and Calder. You will gain 422 feet (129 metres) in elevation over approximately 2 hours and 51 minutes, passing historical landmarks like Cromwell's Bridge and the grand Stonyhurst College, with views of Pendle Hill.
While the main loop is considered moderate, the area offers various routes to suit different abilities, including shorter woodland walks. Be aware that some sections can be muddy after rain, though new paths have improved conditions in parts. The Shireburn Arms pub in Hurst Green is a popular starting point for this journey, offering a convenient place to begin and end your adventure.
This trail is famously associated with J.R.R. Tolkien, who spent time at Stonyhurst College during the Second World War while working on "The Lord of the Rings." The local landscape is widely believed to have inspired elements of his fictional Middle-earth, particularly "The Shire." As you walk, you might recognize features like Shire Lane in Hurst Green and the River Hodder's steep, tree-filled embankment, which could have sparked ideas for his legendary stories.
Last updated: April 23, 2026
Tips
Your route passes through protected areas
Please check local regulations for:
Forest of Bowland AONB
Waypoints
Start point
Parking
Get Directions
1.40 km
Stonyhurst College
Highlight • Monument
4.27 km
Cromwell's Bridge Over the River Hodder
Highlight • Historical Site
Tip by
5.68 km
Winkley Piggeries
Highlight • Settlement
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7.22 km
Confluence of the Rivers Calder and Ribble
Highlight • Natural Monument
You can follow the Ribble to its dramatically situated source at Ribblehead, close to the eponymous viaduct, by hiking the Ribble Way, which passes by this spot. The Calder's source is on the moors above Burnley, not far from the source of the Irwell and West Yorkshire's own River Calder.
A ferry once operated near this spot and may have been the inspiration for Bucklebury Ferry in JRR Tolkien's 'The Fellowship of the Ring'. Tolkien regularly stayed at nearby Stonyhurst Cottage while he was working on his epic Lord of the Rings saga and there are many links between this part of the Ribble Valley and locations in the Shire.
Tip by
8.59 km
Cross Gills Cross
Highlight • Historical Site
Tip by
9.59 km
Blackburn Corporation Aqueduct over the River Ribble
Highlight • Historical Site
Tip by
10.4 km
Shireburn Arms Pub & Tolkien Trail Start
Highlight • Trail
After a walk, there's excellent food and accommodation options in the pub, which retains a cosy, olde-worlde feel.
The pub is a great start point for the popular Tolkien Trail, a circular trail that explores some of the landscapes that inspired the Lord of the Rings author. He spent many months at Stonyhurst during the Second World War when he was working on the great fantasy epic. Many of the local landmarks and landscapes are thought to have inspired locations in the series. One only has to consider the name of this pub...
Tip by
10.7 km
End point
Parking
Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
4.65 km
3.66 km
1.55 km
806 m
Surfaces
7.79 km
2.00 km
526 m
355 m
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Elevation
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Weather
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Thursday 7 May
14°C
6°C
61 %
Additional weather tips
Max wind speed: 8.0 km/h
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This route was planned by komoot.
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Trail Reviews
A walk with my walking group - Mindfulness On The Move. Note: Stonyhurst College is private land, you will more than likely be asked to leave the gardens. Be polite and agree to leave.
Lovely walk with friends in the Ribble Valley. By the River Ribble and Hodder. Tolkien spent a lot of time writing his epic novels here and some of the scenery certainly reminds me of the Shire. Plenty of sand martins, herons, egrets, lapwings and oyster catchers. Can definitely recommend it.
A very pleasant rural walk with connections to "the Lord of the Rings"
It's rare I venture north these days, but when I do, I'm reminded of why I enjoyed growing up in this area so much. I spent the first 25 years of my life in the Ribble Valley and still have somehow not walked, run or ridden many of the paths. My family have all walked the Tolkien trail many times, so during this visit north we all ventured out together. The route starts in the beautiful village of Hurst Green and quickly heads off-road through fields. This first section was the muddiest due to the recent high levels of rain. Once through here, you venture onto hard packed tracks past Stonyhurst College and gradually down to the river. The path is hard packed along here and provides beautiful views of the Ribble Valley and the river. The route finishes with a touch steep climb back up into Hurst Green. Family friendly and also great as a trail run.