The best walks and hikes around Blackpool

Yes, there are over 70 designated hiking routes in the Blackpool area. The majority are easy, flat trails perfect for casual walks, but you can also find a good number of moderately challenging options. The landscape is a mix of coastal promenades, parkland paths, and nature reserve trails.

The trails around Blackpool are highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.7 out of 5 stars. Hikers often praise the easy-to-follow coastal paths with their expansive sea views and the peaceful, well-maintained trails within the local nature reserves.

Absolutely. Many routes are designed as loops so you can start and end in the same place. For a great coastal loop, consider the Blackpool Pleasure Beach loop from Squires Gate. It's a moderate 10.5 km walk along the promenade, offering classic seaside views.

Blackpool is great for families, with many flat and engaging walks. A particularly good choice is the Hiking loop from Little Marton. It's an easy 5.7 km trail that's manageable for little legs and offers the chance to see wildlife around the Marton Mere area.

Yes, many trails in and around Blackpool are dog-friendly, especially the coastal paths and park trails. The North Blackpool Pond Trail is a well-regarded local spot for a walk with your dog. As always, please keep your dog on a lead where required, particularly in nature reserves like Marton Mere to protect wildlife.

Marton Mere Local Nature Reserve is a popular favorite for its network of footpaths around a large freshwater lake. It's a site of special scientific interest known for its diverse birdlife. The Hiking loop from Great Marton is an easy 6.2 km trail that provides a fantastic introduction to the reserve.

Yes, if you head a short distance inland you'll find excellent countryside walks. Beacon Fell Country Park is a top-rated destination with well-marked woodland trails and panoramic views from its summit. For a longer trek, you can explore trails heading towards the Forest of Bowland, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Many of Blackpool's best walks are accessible by public transport. The town's tramway runs the length of the promenade, making it easy to start or end a coastal walk at different points. For example, you can take a tram to Little Bispham to start the Blackpool Tower – North Pier, Blackpool loop. Blackpool North and South train stations also provide great starting points for urban and coastal hikes.

For a shorter but still scenic coastal walk, the Blackpool Pleasure Beach loop from Blackpool Pleasure Beach is a great option. It's just under 6 km and covers the southern part of the promenade, taking you past the iconic amusement park and offering lovely views over the Irish Sea.

For classic seaside views, any walk along the promenade will deliver, such as the Jubilee Gardens Blackpool – North Pier, Blackpool loop from Bispham. For panoramic countryside views, a trip to Beacon Fell Country Park is highly recommended, where the summit offers a stunning outlook over the Fylde coast and Forest of Bowland.

While most local trails are easy, you can find longer, more demanding hikes. The Blackpool Tower – Blackpool Pleasure Beach loop is one of the longest coastal options at nearly 16 km. For a true challenge, you would need to travel to the nearby Forest of Bowland, which offers strenuous ascents up fells like Clougha Pike.

Walking the Fylde coast generally involves flat, paved promenades or sandy beach sections. It's characterized by wide-open sea views, fresh coastal air, and passing by iconic seaside towns and landmarks. The Jubilee Gardens Blackpool – Cabin Lift, Blackpool loop is a great example, covering a significant portion of the promenade.