Gisburn Forest
Tales from a fellow hiker
Summary
There’s something almost ethereal and other worldly about Gisburn Forest. It offers itself as a fantastical backdrop where you might expect to see mythical or magical beings at any given moment. But really, you’re more likely to see a biker zoom past you, bouncing through the woodland and weaving along its many tracks.
The Hike
As we began our adventure, all but the sound of crunching, crackling rocks underfoot could be heard as we moved along the stone pathways, sandwiched between dense woodland. On our walk, we veered off to the left, which took us up through a boneyard of dead and lifeless branches, scattered alongside the snaking uphill path; the greyness of the scene is broken only by brilliant flashes of fuschia foxgloves.
Gradually, we came upon much denser woodland where the trees, already tall and dense, towered above us, making us feel small and as you look on through them, the expanse of the forest seems unending. Accompanied with the vibrant lime and jade of the forest bed, it is as if, together, they create a continuous patchwork of bronzed bark and dappled moss. When the sun is able to break through the ceiling of the tree tops and shine its speckled light, the scene becomes a fluorescent feast for the eyes and takes you in with its enchanting beauty. We could not help but pause occasionally to drink in the views and admire the natural allure of the forest. Much of the trail takes you through similar scenery with winding dirt paths and trails, some complete with quirky wooden, built in bridges which carry you safely over the many streams and breaks along the forest floor.
This was a thoroughly relaxing walk with a varied trail, taking you through darker, shadowy areas as well as the occasional sun traps where the light pools around you and the path opens up into bright and wide walkways. We did see quite a few people around, mostly on bikes and few on foot with their canine companions, but the moments where you are alone (and those are many with the forest being so vast!), all that can be heard is the chatting of insects and the gentle trickling of the streams that run through the woods. We will certainly be visiting again to see more of what the forest has to offer.
- Charlotte Cuff