Trough of Bowland Pass – Hodder Bridge loop from Salwick

Trough of Bowland Pass – Hodder Bridge loop from Salwick

Hard

riders

Trough of Bowland Pass – Hodder Bridge loop from Salwick

04:15

95.2km

940m

Road cycling

Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: August 27, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through protected areas

Please check local regulations for:

Forest of Bowland National Landscape

Waypoints

Start point

Train Station

Get Directions

893 m

Tree-Lined Lane from the Hand and Dagger to Salwick

Highlight • Cycleway

Probably best not to stop for a selfie at BNFL

Tip by

21.1 km

Beacon Fell

Highlight • Climb

Also known as Beacon Fell Country Park, it has a visitors centre, a small and fairly unimpressive café and some circular walking routes. For the road cyclist it offers a variety of shortish climbs, choose from Carwags Lane, Crumbleholme Fold (the steepest) or North Nook Lane, or keep doing a loop and do them all. The circular road around Beacon Fell is one-way clockwise and some great views can be had especially on the west side of this road.

Tip by

33.5 km

View of Blackpool Tower and the Lake District from Grizedale Fell

Highlight • Forest

Great views from the high moorland road across Grizedale Fell. The highpoint is 176m so there is nothing to block the view southwest towards Blackpool or northwest across Morcombe Bay to the southern Lake District.

Tip by

37.2 km

Redmond Wood

Forest

46.9 km

Trough of Bowland Pass

Highlight (Segment) • Viewpoint

Can approach from the east or west. Coming from Dunsop Bridge (east) involves climbing up a steep hill towards the final part (Boundary Hill) which is 13% average with kicker in excess of 20%, so those who are less fit should approach from the west and why not give your legs a break by visiting Puddleducks Café at Dunsop Bridge. The 'trough' is a good scenic highlight, popular with cyclists and worth a trip out to.

If you want the virtual experience from the Dunsop Bridge side, check out this great video

Tip by

56.8 km

Puddleducks Tea Room at the Centre of the United Kingdom

Highlight • Cafe

Popular cyclists haunt with good food, outside and indoor seating, secure bike racks, drying room, water bottle refill tap. They don't take cards but you can get cash-back from the post office located in the right hand section of the café. Apparently the location of this café is at the very centre of the UK and is ideal for a pre/post Trough of Bowland break.
Open Thurs and Fri 10:00 - 16:00.
Sat and Sun 9:30 - 16:00.
Closed Mon, Tue and Wed.

Menu
puddleduckscafe.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Puddleducks-Menu-2016.pdf

Tip by

57.0 km

Dunsop Bridge – Centre of the United Kingdom

Highlight • Settlement

Officially the village closest to the centre of the British Isles as certified by Ordnance Survey.
It's a pretty little village with a cafe and a pub. It's on the Ribble Valley Jubilee Trail and a good start point for several walks.

Tip by

59.6 km