About us
Welcome to our Meetup page!
Hike On Lancashire is a well-established Ramblers group where everyone is welcome! While many of our regular members are in their 40s to 60s, we love meeting new people of all ages and hiking backgrounds. We offer a varied programme of walks and social events across Lancashire and beyond, featuring everything from relaxed 5-mile strolls to challenging 10+ mile hikes.
We go walking in the local area and beyond on Sundays throughout the year and also on weekday evenings in the summer. Our walks vary in length and difficulty from short evening walks to more challenging hill walking. We aim to offer walks to suit everyone whatever your fitness level.
Come along and try it out... everyone is welcome. You might also like to visit our website at.......[ http://www.hikeonlancashire.org.uk](http://www.hikeonlancashire.org.uk)
We limit our Meet up walk places to 20 people per walk as we also have Ramblers members joining our walks. If you don't like having to sign up or don't want to risk a walk being booked up then we'd suggest you join the Rambler's, (bring your card so we know!) as no booking is then required.
As we are a ramblers group (although younger than the norm!) and have a different membership policy to some other meet up groups. Come along and join us on a few walks (each walk is £2). If you like it then it is often cheaper to join the Ramblers. This allows you to walk with any ramblers group in the country plus gives you access to a host of other benefits. If you decide you would like to join us just click on the following link which takes you to the ramblers membership page: https://www.ramblers.org.uk/get-involved/become-a-member/join-us.aspx . Please make sure you affiliate yourselves to our group which is ML50.
There are also a host of other benefits to being a ramblers member including access to the Ramblers app with UK walks and routes available, a quarterly 'Walk' magazine sent to your home address and a membership card offering up to 15-20% discount at a number of leading outdoor stores including Cotswold Outdoors.
Other information:
What should I do before my first walk?
Check you know the meeting point as we do leave promptly at the stated time. Check out our kit list below.
We are a really friendly group but please familiarize yourself with our code of conduct before joining us. This sets out how we make sure all our members are happy and included on our walks.
[https://www.ramblers.org.uk/go-walking-hub/walking-together-guidelines](We are a really friendly group but please familiarize yourself with our code of conduct before joining us. This sets out how we make sure all our members are happy and included on our walks. https://www.ramblers.org.uk/go-walking-hub/walking-together-guidelines)
Are dogs allowed on walks?
Normally, yes - but they need to be kept under control. A lot of walks involve walking through fields with either cattle or sheep, and you need to remember the countryside code and that paramount are farmers' rights. Also, other people walking on the fells. If dogs are definitely not permitted (such as on a number of routes in the Trough of Bowland) this will be indicated. We cannot advertise for every walk if it suitable for dogs (as each dog differs). That depends on you knowing your four legged friend, the terrain, and being confident they can manage.
What do I bring?
Please make sure to have sturdy footwear, waterproofs, layers and some lunch and drinks. We usually only stop for the pub or a cafe at the end!
Hope to see you soon!
Upcoming events
10
- £2.00

Barrow Bridge and Winter Hill (8.5-mile moderate walk)
Woodland Trust Barrow Bridge Car Park, Barrow Bridge Road, Bolton, GBStarting from the Woodland Trust Barrow Bridge Car Park (should the car park be full, additional road parking can be found lower down on Barrow Bridge Road, below the bus terminus), we walk up through the pretty village of Barrow Bridge and then climb the 63 steps that the miners used to climb daily to work. We then head up to the Walker Fold Car Park for a short break (there is a toilet and a coffee van here!).
Next, we take a range of paths to gradually climb towards Winter Hill, joining the service road towards the transmitting station and TV mast. Weather permitting, we'll visit 'Two Lads Cairns' which are well through their restoration (but in late October 2026 still closed to the public) and enjoy the views west towards the coast.
Rejoining the service road and continuing uphill we continue up towards the Winter Hill mast, but, shortly before reaching the mast, we'll take a path back downhill, eventually reaching several farmhouses before reaching Colliers Row Road. We then head towards Barrow Bridge before turning left, weaving our way down past Smithills Open Farm and then the Grade I listed 14th-century (onwards!) manor house, Smithills Hall.
Next, we cross over Smithills Dean Road. passing between some houses and through a woodland down to Smithills Croft Road. Turning right, after a short distance we reach the prominent 246-feet high (originally 306-feet high) Barrow Bridge chimney, which was part of the old Halliwell Bleach works rather than the village's cotton mills. Here, we turn into Barrow Bridge Road and walk the final half-mile back to the car park.
Well-behaved dogs are welcome, but must be kept on a lead.
Walk Leader: Chris S
Please note that we restrict the number of places available on Meetup as (unlike other Meetup groups) we have a significant number of Ramblers who attend our walks and we ask them not to register as attending via this app. We would, therefore, respectfully request that you do not reserve a place on any walk unless you are sure that you will attend.
Alternatively, why not join us and be a part of the Ramblers Association for a small annual subscription? Membership guarantees a place on all 'Hike on Lancashire' walks and ensures priority access to events organised by the Group. You can also walk with any other Ramblers Group across the UK.
Annual subscriptions go toward maintaining paths and allow the RA to campaign for improved access to the countryside. You will also receive the monthly 'Walk' magazine and a 15% discount at Cotswold Outdoors.
**You can join by following the link below https://www.ramblers.org.uk/membership**
Please select Hike on Lancashire as your preferred Group.5 attendees
Past events
709

