6k Run Burnley: Picturesque Loop Around Clowbridge Reservoir

Route Overview & Local Insights

This 6.3km loop offers a quintessential East Lancashire trail running experience, blending steady climbs with sweeping moorland vistas. Starting just above Clowbridge Reservoir, you’ll navigate a mix of gravel paths and natural trails as you head toward the Dunnockshaw Community Woodland. With roughly 70m of ascent, the route is classified as "hilly," providing a fantastic workout for those looking to build strength away from the tarmac. The descent joins the historic Rossendale Way, leading you on a scenic return leg that skirts the southern edge of the water, where the wind off the moor often provides a refreshing (or challenging) finish to your run.

Clowbridge Reservoir, situated between Burnley and Rawtenstall, is not just a haven for runners and windsurfers; it sits on the site of the former village of Gambleside. As you traverse the trails, you are running over history—the village was abandoned in the late 19th century to make way for the reservoir's construction to supply water to the expanding industrial towns nearby. The surrounding Dunnockshaw Community Woodland is a testament to local conservation efforts, having been transformed from former grazing land into a thriving habitat for short-eared owls and kestrels. It remains one of the most atmospheric spots in the Burnley area for a quiet, contemplative morning session.