7 miles / 11.4km with 380ft / 120m Total Ascent
Parking is usually available on the north side of Longsands Lane between Waterford Close and The Lodgings.
We set off across Preston Golf Course to walk through Mason´s Wood. From here we head through the playing fields behind The Sherwood to the site of Broughton Tower, then on to Moss Leach Wood and Cromwell´s Mound, where Cromwell´s men dug in during the Civil War to fire on the tower (some imagination is required here!). At this point we pass some of the uglier buildings in Fulwood (sorry - it does get better). We continue along Midgery Lane towards Midgery Wood, then through Squire Anderton´s Wood to Cow Hill. From Cow Hill we return via Little Rough Hey Farm and the Guild Wheel, which firstly goes through a wood with no name. This wood has a very nice, little-used path if anyone fancies clambouring through blackthorn and sliding on their bottom! Perhaps I´ll keep that to myself and we´ll just stick with the Guild Wheel, which continues through Fernyhalgh Wood.
Shortly before reaching Midgery Lane, we take a wooded path on the left back to Longsands Lane.
The route is undulating, with two short, steep climbs. Most of the paths are good, but there are some muddy parts. There are no stiles.