Christmas walks in Lancashire 2020: best winter wonderland trails for Xmas Day and New Year

Christmas has been scaled back for many, with the government advising to avoid indoor gatherings where possible.

Outdoor walks with family and friends have been recommended as an alternative to Christmas dinner, and for citizens of Lancashire that’s no bad thing with a plethora of gorgeous walks dotted all over the county.

Here are seven of our favourite walks to enjoy during the festive period.

Tolkien Trail, Ribble ValleyA trip to the cinema on Boxing Day may be off the cards for families this year, but those in Lancashire can transport themselves to Middle Earth instead.

The countryside around Hurst Green is widely regarded as the inspiration for the Shire, home of J. R. R. Tolkien’s hobbits.

Difficulty: Medium Distance: 5.5 miles Start point: Hurst Green Directions

Pendle Hill, Pendle

Once the site of notorious witch trials, Pendle is now a picture-perfect patchwork of idyyllic villages, and Great British countryside.

Those looking to work off the excesses of the festive season can do so by targeting Pendle Hill, which stands sentinel over Lancashire.

This route takes you from the village of Barley, to the summit of the 577m peak.

Difficulty: Hard Distance: 5 miles (2 hours 20 minutes) Start point: Barley Directions

Darwen Tower, Darwen

A familiar site to Darreners, Darwen Tower stands sentinel over the historic market town.

Should we be blessed with clear weather in and around Christmas Day, it could be possible to see Yorkshire, Morecambe Bay, Blackpool Tower, Cumbria, the Isle of Man, and North Wales.Difficulty: Medium Distance: 2 miles Start point: Darwen town centre Directions

Longton Brickcroft Nature Reserve Ramble

A wetland nature reserve, Longton Brickcroft buzzes with countless species of flora and fauna.

Indulge yourself with a dose of mindfulness and enjoy the stillness and silence of the oasis of calm.

Difficulty: Medium Distance: 5 miles Start point: Longton Brickcroft Nature Reserve car park Directions

Gawthorpe Circular Walk

There are few Lancashire walks as varied as this circular route which takes in the village of Padingham, the Elizabethan Gawthorpe Hall which has stood since the turn of the 17th century and the ancient Hagg Wood.Look out for the ‘trail of words’, a sequence of sign posts carved with the words of local writers and children. Difficulty: Easy to medium Distance: 4 miles Start point: Padiham Directions