This route is suitable for a family. I took my clan (wife, daughter's aged 10 & 13) on this. It is relatively flat in East Lancashire terms, exploring local water ways and countryside. Total distance 6.5km, total climbing 57 metres. It took us 1 hour 30 mins.(a steady pace with a few photo stops)
I started by St James's Church in Church. Set off in a clockwise direction crossing the Liverpool-leeds canal turning right and then following the footpath that goes away to the left.
Follow my route above for the full route
Points to note along the route, on going under the motorway bridge with the Hyndburn brook on your left, follow the path (can be a little muddy) till you cross over the river at a bridge. Now you can either follow the path ahead or wander off to follow the river course to your left. If you choose to follow the river course you will (or keep your eyes peeled off to the left from the main path) you will spot a steep Weir which is a nice waterfall. This a about a hundred metres from the main road junction. The main road must be carefully crossed and then followed upto the left towards the edge of Rishton. As you enter Rishton turned right down the minor lane passing some allotments on your left. When you reach a few houses turn left following the road to a dead end and then head straight across 3 fields to meet the canal. Crossing styles and keeping some allotments on your right on the way.
Now turn left and follow the canal, here you will see interesting wildfowl and when the canal narrows you will cross over the motorway on an aquaduct. Shortly after this before a bridge you turn left and follow the cycle way back to church (for a longer alternative you can continue to follow the canal rather than turn off). Once back at the initial canal bridge it is worth crossing the bridge taking the path down to the right and then underneath the bridge you have just crossed to find the spot halfway along the Liverpool-leeds canal.
Enjoy!
