Cycling is a great activity for all the family, it keeps you fit and healthy, lets you enjoy the fresh air, it’s fun and it’s environmentally friendly. With it’s wild moorland, country lanes, parks and woodland, Burnley is an excellent place to explore by bike and over the last few years new cycle facilities and many new routes have been opened up, it has never been so easy to get around.
Burnley is now one of the best areas in the North of England to cycle in so why not get on your bike and explore the area.
Burnley & Padiham Greenways
The Greenways are pleasant and quiet off road routes which connect Burnley and Padiham town centres to the countryside around.
Padiham Greenway (2 miles/ 3 kms) – the route follows the old Padiham Loop Railway. There’s easy access to many local attractions including Lowerhouse Lodge Nature Reserve with it’s varied wildlife and facilities for the keen fisherman, and Gawthorpe Hall – a National Trust property. From the Greenway you can continue into the town centre along the canal.
River Calder Greenway (4 miles / 7 kms) – this route takes you over the River Calder via Ightenhill Bridge – an idyllic spot deep in the countryside – then along Grove Lane past the’ Trail of Words’ and into Padiham town centre.
Brun Valley Greenway (2 miles / 3 kms) – From Central Railway Station follow the Brun Valley Greenway through parks and wooded river valleys to Rowley Lake and Briercliffe.
Sweetclough Greenway ( 1 mile / 1.5 kms) – The Sweetclough Greenway goes through Habergham to Lowerhouse Lodges where it meets up with the Padiham Greenway.
Explore Further
For more experienced cyclists there are several longer routes through the borough and you can join both the Pennine Cycleway and the Lancashire Cycleway in Burnley.
The Pennine Cycleway (Route 68) - Burnley Section ( 16kms / 10 miles)
The Pennine Cycleway runs from Ashbourne in Derbyshire to Berwick on Tweed. In Burnley the cycleway takes you through varied landscapes; across moorland, along the old packhorse trails, through villages and down into parkland then onto the towpath of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. Cycling by the side of the canal you can see a variety of waterfowl including swans, mallards and grebe, as you ride through an industrial landscape, past scenic parks and out into the countryside.
Lancashire Cycleway (Routes 90/91)
The Lancashire cycleway comprises two circular routes which meet in the historic village of Whalley. The southern loop which circles East Lancashire can be accessed in Burnley at Harle Syke, Worsthorne and Bacup Road.
Leeds and Liverpool Canal (11kms / 7miles)
The Leeds and Liverpool Canal is a good place for traffic free cycling. The route through Burnley from Hapton boatyard to Barden Mill meanders through countryside, industrial and urban landscapes and parkland.
Padiham, Ightenhill, Burnley Cycle Route (7kms / 4miles)
An attractive cycle route along the scenic Calder Valley which avoids the busy main roads. Going past green fields and woodland, which are home to a variety of wildlife, it is mainly rural in nature. From Padiham the route follows Grove Lane past the ‘Trail of Words’ then crosses the River Calder to join a cycle path up to Ightenhill Park Lane. The route continues into the centre of Burnley via quiet roads and the canal. It is a good place to cycle with children.
Mountain Biking
Surrounded by the Pennine Hills, Burnley is a good place for mountain biking particularly along the Mary Towneley Loop and the new mountain bike trails at Hurstwood.
The Mary Towneley Loop
Part of the Pennine Bridleway National Trail the Mary Towneley Loop was designed for Horseriders but is excellent for cyclists who can explore the 45 mile circular route across the South Pennines.
Hurstwood Mountain Bike Trails
New mountain bike trails above the Elizabethan village of Hurstwood on the edge of Burnley.
video by Tim Royle from Whitenosugar Productions
Cycling Heritage
Discover Burnley and Padiham’s heritage by bicycle – cotton, coal, railways and historic houses
Burnley Heritage Cycle Trail
The trial links many of Burnley’s heritage attractions by bike including the Weavers Triangle and the National Trust’s Gawthorpe Hall.
Cycling into Railway History
This new circular route is a greenway which goes around the outskirts of Padiham via the old Padiham Loop Railway Line. Said to be the most expensive line built by the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway its construction gave the company the opportunity to tap into the heavy cotton trade in Padiham and coal from numerous pits around the line.
Learn to Ride
The purpose built cycle track in Queen’s Park was designed so that children to can learn to ride a bike in a safe environment away from the roads and traffic. The track is a real road layout with crossings, signs and road markings just like the real thing, but without the danger. For children under 12 years old it is the best place to learn how to be a good cyclist, get used to how roads work and to have fun.
Cycle Hire
Brand new for 2012, if you fancy a bike ride around the area then you can now hire bikes for all the family from:
On Yer Bike,
Queens Lancashire Way,
Burnley,
BB11 1AT.
Tel: 01282 438855
Triking with Active Spaces
Ever wished you could cycle?
Never had the opportunity or the confidence to try cycling?
Then join the Active Spaces project team from Groundwork Pennine Lancashire for a free taster session in Towneley Park every Wednesday between 12noon and 1pm. The sessions take place mostly on the level tarmaced paths around the park and are designed to be easy and fun for everyone. The six adult sized trikes are available on a first come first served basis.
If you have a bit more experience of cycling then join the team on a moderate cycle ride on Tuesday evenings at 6.30pm , the fully trained staff will support you and help you to regain your confidence cycling. You can bring your own bike or borrow one of ours, cycle helmets are mandatory and are are available to borrow with the bikes.
Both sessions take place from Offshoots Permaculture Centre based in the walled garden next to Towneley Hall, so join us to get fit lose weight and enjoy some fresh air in Burnley’s parks and countryside.
For more information contact: Jane Ingham, Active Spaces Co-Ordinator Burnley & Rossendale on 07595 778327 or email jane.ingham@gwpl.co.uk
Cycling in Lancashire
To find out more about cycling in the rest of Lancashire including Gisburn Forest in the Bowland Hills and Rossendale’s Adrenaline Gateway and Lee Quary visit www.lancashire.gov.uk/cycling, or contact:
Alasdair Simpson,
Sustainable Travel,
Lancashire County Council,
Environment Directorate,
County Hall,
Preston,
PR! 8RD
Tel. 01772 534609
Mob: 07500 884052
Email: Alasdair.Simpson@lancashire.gov.uk
Other Useful Contacts
Burnley Council Cycling Officer
01282 425011 ext. 3397
Sustrans
01282 0845113 0065
British Waterways
01282 456978
CTC Burnley and Pendle
01282 692117
Wayside ArtsTrail
Walk One
BurnleyTown Centre Trail
Walk Three
Brun Valley Forest Park
Walk Two
FOB Walk 2 Towneley
Walk Four
Walk Five
FOB Walk 1 Thieveley
Weavers' Triangle Trail
Brun Valley Walk
FOB SculptureTrail
Walk Six
Pennine Bridleway National Trail
Riding
Panopticons Trail
Walking
Towneley Family Leaflet 
Public Art Trail Leaflet
Cycling
Visitor Guide PDF
Burnley Walking Festival
Towneley 2013
War Time Trail (Leaflet 1)
War Time Trail (Walk 2)
Towneley Small Holdings Trail
