The festive period is in full swing, we’ve eaten our Christmas dinners, the New Year is on its way and a walk to take in the beauty of East Lancashire may be on your to-do list too.

Here in East Lancashire, there are dozens of beautiful country walks on our doorstep.

Here are five of East Lancashire's best walks to do over the festive period.

Darwen Tower

Lancashire Telegraph: Darwen TowerDarwen Tower (Image: NQ)For Darrerners, Darwen Tower is right on the doorstep, with stunning views from the top where, on a clear day, the Isle of Man and the hills of North Wales can be seen.

The two-mile walk begins at Darwen Town Hall and is the perfect for between Christmas and New Year.

Walkers will pass the war memorial and around the lake before getting to the top of the hill to see the tower.

On the way back, the route goes past Sniddle Hill Farm and Holly Tree Farm before returning back to Darwen Town Hall.

Pendle Hill

Lancashire Telegraph: Pendle HillPendle Hill (Image: NQ)Or why not take a stroll up Pendle Hill?

This two-and-a-half-hour walk takes you to the heart of the Pendle witch trials of 1612, where 10 people were executed on the moors above Lancaster, having been found guilty of witchcraft.

Starting near Barley, the five-mile walk passes the Ogden reservoirs before beginning to climb the infamous hill where, from the summit, Blackpool Tower and the Lakeland fells can be seen on a clear day.

The walk then proceeds down back towards the village of Barley.

The Bronte’s Trail, Pendle

Lancashire Telegraph: Wycoller Hall, on the outskirts of ColneWycoller Hall, on the outskirts of Colne (Image: NQ)If you love walking and you’re a bit of a bookworm, why not head to the Bronte’s Trail in Pendle.

The Brontë sisters spent a lot of their time exploring Lancashire and the South Pennine Moors.

This walking route begins in the heart of the Trawden Forest and allows walkers to see historic farmhouses and woodland.

It will take around five hours to complete and walkers will even encounter the remains of Wycoller Hall on the route.

The J.R.R Tolkien trail, Ribble Valley

Lancashire Telegraph: The Tolkien TrailThe Tolkien Trail (Image: alh1 / Flickr (CC BY-ND 2.0))This is one for all the Lord of the Rings fans who live in Lancashire; the trail in the Ribble Valley is a five-mile route which starts and ends at Hurst Green.

During the walk, you will find yourself walking past Hall Barn Farm and over Cromwell’s Bridge.

You will also find yourself walking by the historic Hacking Hall, which dates back to the 12th century.

And for avid fans of the franchise, Stonyhurst College and its scenic surroundings were said to be the inspiration for the fictional world of Middle Earth in Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings.

The Rossendale Halo

Lancashire Telegraph: The HaloThe Halo (Image: JADE DOHERTY)Or if you are looking for something a bit more challenging, this four-mile circular route explores various areas of the valley, with a visit to the monumental Halo structure.

The route begins and ends in Rawtenstall and explores Bribden Clough, Top o'Slate, The Halo, and Whittaker Park.

The route takes around two hours to complete.

If you have a story or something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at chloe.wilson@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on X @chloewjourno.