The river rises near Fiendsdale Head in the Forest of Bowland and flows first westwards then southwards through the villages of Oakenclough and Calder Vale before passing under the M6 motorway, West Coast Main Line and under the Calder Aqueduct on Lancaster Canal.
The river flows from Fiendsdale Head in the Forest of Bowland, initially heading west before turning south through villages like Oakenclough and Calder Vale. It then passes under major infrastructure including the M6 motorway, West Coast Main Line, and the Calder Aqueduct on Lancaster Canal.