Nelson Walks
The Lancashire town of Nelson is located in the Pendle area of the county. Walking highlights include the popular Pendle Hill and easier paths along the towpath of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. There's also a number of reservoirs and great views of the Pennine Hills in the area.
This route from the town uses sections of the Pendle Way, Burnley Way and Bronte Way to create a circular walk around the countryside to the east of the town. The waymarked paths will take you to a series of picturesque reservoirs with fine views over the surrounding moors. The route runs for a distance of about 8 miles with some moderate hill climbs on the way.
The walk starts from Walverden Reservoir on the south eastern fringes of the town. It's located just over half a mile south east of the train station. From here you can pick up the Pendle Way and follow it east to Catlow and the Coldwell Reservoirs. There's good views over the water to Boulsworth Hill here. The hill can be climbed for wonderful views over the South Pennines.
After passing along the northern end of the reservoirs you pick up the Bronte Way, following it south west through the Thursden Valley. A woodland section follows, taking you to the Burnley Way which you follow west to Cockden. The final section skirts the edge of Harle Syke and Brierfield before returning you to the reservoir.
Nelson Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Nelson Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Nelson OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Nelson Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Walks near Nelson
- Pendle Hill - This walk climbs to the summit of Pendle Hill in Lancashire
- Pendle Way - Follow the Pendle Way through Lancashire and visit Barnoldswick, Thornton-in-Craven, Wycoller, Reedley, Newchurch and Pendle Hill on this challenging walk
- Burnley Way - This long circular walk explores the rivers, canals, reservoirs and moorland around the Lancashire town of Burnley.
- Bronte Way - Follow the Bronte Way through Lancashire and Yorkshire and visit many of the places associated with writings and lives of the Bronte Sisters.
Highlights on the walk include:
Gawthorpe Hall - visited by Charlotte Bronte on several occasions, the impressive Gawthorpe Hall is the start point of the walk
Wycoller Country Park - Wycoller Hall is believed to have inspired Ferndean Manor in Charlotte Bronte's "Jane Eyre" - Boulsworth Hill - Climb to Lad Law, the 1,696 ft (517 m) summit of Boulsworth Hill on this challenging walk in the South Pennines
- Widdop Reservoir - Widdop Reservoir is located near Hebden Bridge in Yorkshire
- Hurstwood Reservoir - This circular walk takes you around Hurstwood Reservoir in Burnley.
Start the walk from the public car park in the village of Hurstwood just to the west of the reservoir - Leeds and Liverpool Canal - Enjoy waterside cycling and walking along Britain's longest single canal
- Barrowford Reservoir - This small reservoir in Barrowford is a nice place for an easy waterside stroll
- Colne - This Lancashire market town in the Borough of Pendle near Nelson
- Elslack Reservoir - This circular walk visits Elslack Reservoir in North Yorkshire near Skipton.
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
The Leeds and Liverpool Canal runs through the town and provides an opportunity for some easy waterside walking. You can pick it up on the northern side of the town and enjoy a stroll along Colne Water to Barrowford Reservoir.
Also of note is Marsden Hall and Park where there are some nice footpaths to try. It's a lovely place for a stroll and has a nice cafe for refreshments. You can find it on Walton Lane at a postcode of BB9 8BW for your sat navs.
Photos
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The Dam of Walverden Reservoir
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The Pendle Way below Starrs House with a view of Walverden Reservoir
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Ford over Catlow Brook
Boulsworth Hill and branch of Lower Coldwell Reservoir
Sundial in Marsden Park
Marsden Hall situated in Marsden Park Nelson. The Hall was built in the fifteen hundreds and has gone from being the home of the Walton family to at one time a restaurant, a store room and now is being refurbished ready to become a learning centre.