ANOTHER lovely, scenic walk in the Ribble Valley, starting and finishing in Chatburn, but taking in Downham and Sawley, where you pass the remains of Sawley Abbey. You will have to cross the very busy A59 twice, but, mostly, the walk is along grassy tracks, across fields and quiet roads. Apart from Downham, which can get crowded, you will probably not see another soul.

Step by step

1. From Chatburn, take Downham Road, and just a little way uphill past the railway bridge, take the footpath (signed), which passes in between houses. Left up a residential street to the end, turn right along well trodden footpath with fields on left. At the junction of paths, bear to the right and continue along the footpath as it passes a newly built, large, house on the right. Take care here, if you have dogs, you will suddenly come out onto the busy A59. Cross with care and head straight through the gate opposite into open fields. Take the path across the field and head to a stile.

2. Cross over stile, and stick to path as it climbs up exposed limestone. The view from the top, back from where you've come, is delightful. Continue along the obvious path, passing Worsaw End House to your right, and with Pendle Hill looming behind it.

3. Continue along the path and a number of kissing gates, following the path as it crosses fields, pass Langland Hall Wood on your left, and continue along until you drop down into Downham.

4. Cross the bridge, and turn left, uphill to the parish church on your left and Assheton Arms Pub on your right. Immediately after the pub, take the right lane, passing some houses and through a five bar, wooden gate. Immediately after, take the footpath to the left. Keeping the wood to your left, continue to the brow of the hill and then bear off to the right - you want to head for two obvious limestone knolls, known locally as the Fairy Rocks. From there, turn left and head down wards to a gate onto a lane, turn left and continue a short way to the Rimington Road.

5. Cross over the road and go through the gate opposite, follow the path with wood on right, pass under railway, over stile and cross packhorse bridge over Swanside Beck. Go over stile and take the path off to the left, uphill to another stile. Continue along the obvious path, passing Greenhead Farm on your right. Continue along path until you once again have to cross over the A59. Taking care, cross and take the path opposite as it takes a lovely woodland route down hill. Cross over a track and into a field, continue along the path until you see the remains of Sawley Abbey on your left. Pass the ruins and out onto the road. With the Spread Eagle Pub on your left, continue along the road for a short distance, immediately after the road bridge, take the footpath to the left - you are now on the Ribble Way. Cross over the field and onto Sawley Road, turn left and continue up hill, passing Bowland High School, with its magnificent picture windows looking out towards Pendle Hill. Continue up hill until it forks off to the right.

6. Take the stile to the left into field and marked Ribble Way, continue along the footpath, sticking to the Ribble Way, and ignoring paths off to the right. You will eventually come to the Ribble, on your left. Continue walking next to the Ribble until you come to a gate, go through it and cross over the road bridge, walk along for a short distance, and go on the permitted path next to the river. Follow the signposted path back to Chatburn.