Greenways

Greenways are linear parks and trails that connect our communities, natural areas, and urban landscapes, providing beautiful and accessible routes for walking, cycling, and other outdoor activities. In Burnley, our greenways are essential in providing both leisure routes and a sustainable and enjoyable way to move around, encouraging physical activity and reducing our reliance on cars.

By linking our parks, neighborhoods, and key destinations, Burnley’s greenways help us build a stronger more connected community.

Brun Valley Forest Park

The Brun Valley Forest Park links together 13 separate areas of open space to create a diverse landscape for recreation and biodiversity in Burnley. Most of the sites that make up the forest park have been reclaimed from former industrial uses, including railway lines, Bank Hall and Rowley Collieries, a quarry, brick works and former landfill sites.

The forest park covers 130 hectares, provides more than 16km of multi-user paths, and encompasses formal parks, meadows, woodland, rivers, ponds and lakes.

Although some of the formal parks and places like Rowley lake are popular with residents, many paths and trails through the Brun Valley Forest are definitely some of Burnley’s hidden gems.

Burnley and Padiham Greenway

The greenway follows the path of a former railway line, offering a tranquil and traffic-free environment for outdoor recreation.

The greenway stretches approximately 6 miles (9.6 kilometers) through the borough, passing through picturesque countryside and urban landscapes along the way. It provides a safe and accessible route for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy walking, jogging, cycling, and wildlife watching.

Canal Towpath

13km’s of the Leeds and Liverpool canal towpath winds its way through Burnley. The towpath with its rich history and heritage is now an essential place for connecting communities, serving as a vibrant, accessible route that weaves through urban and rural areas across the borough.
Our canal towpath is more than just a pathway; it is a lifeline that links our neighborhoods, schools, workplaces, and recreational areas. The towpath provides a safe and picturesque environment for walking, cycling, and jogging, making it easy for people of all ages and abilities to be active. It enhances our connection to nature, allowing us to enjoy the tranquil beauty of the waterways, observe wildlife, and appreciate the changing seasons.