Trek Therapy FREE Wellbeing Walk - The Tolkien Trail - Lancashire

Trek Therapy are offering this FREE professionally guided wellbeing walk along The Tolkien Trail on Sunday 15th November 2026

November marks a period of remembrance that honours the sacrifice of all who have defended the UK’s freedoms and way of life, marked through Armistice Day, Remembrance Sunday, and national ceremonies. Our walk will be themed towards remembrance and will officially commence at the War Memorial in Hurst Green with a short moment of remembrance reflection and the acknoledgement that the author J.R.R. Tolkien himself was a veteran of WW1.

From Hurst Green we then walk in the footsteps of Tolkien who was renowned for his love of nature and wooded landscapes and the countryside around Stonyhurst is richly beautiful. A number of names, which occur in 'The Lord of The Rings' are similar to those found locally including Shire Lane (in Hurst Green) and River Shirebourn. Leaving from Hurst Green memorial hall this walk follows a clockwise direction through country fields and woodland tracks tracing the banks of the River Hodder and River Ribble and a viewing of the famous 'Cromwell Bridge'.

This is a fairly flat walk with a couple of steeper sections, which we can expect to be muddy at times after rain. This walk is 10.27km and although picturesque is considered a moderate walk given a couple of inclines and the need to have firm footing due to muddy fields, paths and woodland trails with two steeper sections. This will take around 3 - 4 hours with rest and viewing stops and will concludes at the Shireburn Arms Hotel.

This walk is part of our wellbeing walks 'Selfcare Sunday' programme made possible through funding received from the National Lottery Community Fund.

This activity will be promoting social interaction, the physical and emotional wellbeing benefits of walking in nature and our connection to the great outdoors to anyone who would like to participate!

The meeting point for this event will be at 09:45am at Hurst Green Memorial Hall Car Park. BB79QB where our 'Trek Therapy' programme leaders will be waiting to greet you. There are toilets and refreshment facilities available nearby. The car park at the Memorial Hall ask for a small suggested donation of £2.00.

This walk is 10.3km with a total ascent of 156m and is graded as an easy to moderate walk requiring participants to have a good level of fitness and the ability to walk unaided due to the terrain underfoot. The route follows well defined paths, woodland trails and gravel tracks. The walk will be led at a relaxed pace allowing everyone the ability to feel comfortable throughout the journey.

This walk will last approximately 4 hours including breaks, plenty of opportunities to rest and enjoy the amazing views and scenery along our route.

The activity will be led by qualified outdoor leaders, registered with the Mountain Training Association, who work within the field of mental health.

Following the event, you will have a chance to relax in the lovely village of Hurst Green where there are refreshment facilities including a cafe and the local pub.

Please note this event is for person aged 18+.

Participants will need to ensure they have a daysack that includes the following:

• Appropriate footwear and a set of waterproofs (trousers and jacket).
• A warm layer or fleece.
• Plenty of food, water and snacks for the day.
• Sunscreen / sunglasses as required.
• A hat and pair of gloves.
• Personal Medic*tion.

Please note places are limited to 24 participants.

Trek Therapy reserve the right to refuse individuals joining the activity if they do not have the appropriate equipment listed above.

For more advice about what kit to bring or to learn more about Trek Therapy visit our website https://trektherapy.co.uk/