At Crossens, it was very frustrating that the route followed the busy, noisy roads, when the England Coast Path and cycle track 62 cut the corner here, in what would have been a much nicer route (see OS Aerial view within my photos). The coast road was very busy with cars, but there were good views from the wide pavement, potentially excellent if the air had been a bit clearer!...

Mary Oz

I had wondered if it would have been easier to leave Tarleton via a short section of towpath alongside the Rufford Branch of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, but the Google Street View images (supplied by the ubiquitous Uy Hoang, does Google pay him to upload all these towpath images?) suggest it can get a bit overgrown, so the raised riverside path was fine, although muddy in places. This was at about 40% through the route, but I think the rest of the route was slightly easier. The long wide section alongside the River Ribble was covered with sheep hoofprints, but was quite easy going, and gradually the distant buildings of Preston came into view, particularly the very tall spire of St Walburge’s. There was a sign here warning of erosion to the path, but only one small section was affected and it was fenced off, but passable. I was soon into the pleasant Priory Park, and then the short street walk to Preston Station. This was a really good walk, and judging by the small section of A59 near Tarleton, much more pleasant than the more direct alternatives....

Mary Oz

A good mix of paved roads and footpaths along the coast and through the countryside. Here we break away from the main road and start along unpaved country lanes. Past this, more unpaved roads, a long farm track, and another unpaved road until we reach the outskirts of Tarleton, where it was now paved, and a short walk into the village centre....

Hiking Historian

A much better route than the original, but still using mostly paved roads, with the odd footpath, albeit through the quieter villages away from the A59. We do join the A59 for a time, but just past Carr House, we take a footpath that runs through the fields on our right. A kissing gate brings us to the paved roads of Longton, and, once past a little roundabout, a long walk through Hutton and then Howick Cross and Penwortham, mostly uphill, before dropping down to the river....

Hiking Historian

From the centre of Tarleton, we follow the road, and head down an unpaved road to the car park at the end. Under Tarleton Bridge (sometimes muddy), we then double back to the main road to Preston , which we join for a while. Past the junction to Bretherton and Carr House, we turn up the unpaved Liverpool Old Road, and then onto Haunders Lane....

Hiking Historian

A lengthy and not very exciting road stomp along often very busy roads and a long stretch of dual carriageway. Check out my alternatives: an urban route TarPre Two; and a countryside route, TarPre Three....

Hiking Historian

I would recommend using the canal tow path from ///dunes.proposals.labels up to ///salad.roving.delays as it is a better path, shorter and is a lovely walk (I walked back using this route and saw a kingfisher)....

Stearsb

From there surely the old A59 through Much Hoole, Little Hoole, Walmer Bridge and Longton would be a better slow route, with a wee detour round the Brickcroft at Longton....

Wendy G