1. There’s a good car park by Edisford Bridge (SD72845 41404). From the car park, walk along the riverside path heading downstream, the path then leaves the river up a short incline to a stile. Cross the stile and turn L diagonally across the field to reach a gate and driveway, turn L to reach the narrow lane (SD72830 40590). Turn R along the lane, then keep right at the old Mill and landfill site, continue along the lane, now alongside the river. Before entering the farmyard (SD72610 39683), go through the kissing gate on the R crossing a small field and pass between the farm buildings and the river.
2. Continue along the farm track on the river bank, pass the aqueduct. After the valve house, the path leaves the riverside crossing the meadow to a footbridge (SD72183 38988). Continue along the obvious path to reach the farm buildings and road in Little Mitton.
3. Turn R along the road following the ‘Ribble Way’ crossing the Ribble using Mitton Bridge (check the carved words on the bridge). Continue along the road to the junction, taking great care with traffic. Turn L at the junction walking the short stretch of roadway to reach Lower Hodder Bridge and the Old Bridge. Cross the bridge and take a short detour to explore the old bridge at close quarters.
4. Immediately after crossing the bridge, take the FP on the R, heading upstream, through the gate. It’s a good path along the river bank with plenty of wildlife to see. Continue around the bend in the river, Hodder Place dominates the view, pass the weir continuing into the woodland. Through a gate by the redundant sewage treatment plant, climb the good path through the beautiful woodland to reach Trout Cottage at the crest. Descend the path, you are in ear-shot of the rapids and the noise is nature’s own, its a delightful sound, descend to reach a small stone bridge (SD69993 39990). Take a detour here for a better view of the river, its beautiful. Cross the stone bridge climbing the steps. At the top, take the path to the R contouring around to reach the stone cross, then descend the slope continuing along the path high above the Hodder. Over a stile, eventually descending to the river level, cross two small FB’s. Continue to the 3rd FB to reach the edge of woodland along a path through the meadow by the river. Pass through a gate, over a FB as the Hodder sweeps to the R. Cross a few FB’s to emerge on the road by Higher Hodder Bridge.
5. Cross the bridge then walk up the road, past the cottages and Hodder Bridge Court, continue to the crossroads but don’t miss the old milestone c.1766! Continue across the X-roads for about 300m to a bend in the road, on the R is a FP and stile (SD70540 41492).
6. Cross the stile, into the field keeping the hedge/fence on your L. Cross the next stile, there are good views of Pendle Hill, at the end of the trees, cross the stile and head diagonally across the next field staying in line with Clitheroe Castle. Cross the stile (SD71692 41467) by the model flying club. Go through the gate opposite and continue through the next field with the hedge on your R to a quaint stone stile. Now turn L heading for the steel gate by the road. Turn R at the road to reach the T-junction, turn L going downhill to Edisford Bridge and the car park on the opposite bank of the Ribble.
Go to the downloads section to download this route description.
Approaching the bridge at Little Mitton
the 'Old Bridge' by the Lower Hodder Bridge
Basic map: An enchanting walk along the banks of the River Ribble and River Hodder, from Clitheroe