20/04/2022 Stroller - Yarrow Valley

Yarrow Valley with Barry Hayhurst

2 to 3 miles with Little Climbing

Each Mid-Week Stroller walk has a destination providing a venue for drinks / snacks / meals etc and starts at 10:30am.

Meet at Yarrow Valley Visitor Centre, off Birkacre Road, Chorley (Sat Nav: PR7 3QL), then afterwards , then at the Birkacre Garden Centre.

Starting from the Yarrow Valley car park we make our way around the Small lodge. Then heading through the woods, where the undergrowth should by now have a covering of Wild Garlic, to the Big lodge, keeping on the alert to try and spot the Great Crested Grebe and Mandarin ducks .

After passing the far end of the Big Lodge we follow the path along the River Yarrow to the Top lodge where there is a chance we may catch a glimpse of a Kingfisher and Reed Buntings. Continuing along the path following the river to the weir where we may also spot Dippers, Heron and Yellow Wagtails and you never know may see migrating trout scaling the fish ladder.

From here we go up a few steep steps to Spring Wood then circling the Meadow to see if any spring flora has sprung up and looking up to see if we can see any Buzzards gliding around. After leaving the meadow we cross the bridge over the river up a track then turn right up through the woods to a picnic area .

From here we make our way back down to the Big Lodge then to our starting point. Refreshments will be available at The Birkacre Garden Centre a short drive form Yarrow Valley Country Park. This Stroller could be shortened if the weather is not kind to us .

17/04/2022 Sunday Car - Rivington

B Walk - Rivington and the Wellington Crash Memorial with Roy Smith

5½ miles (8.9km) with 500ft (152m) Total Ascent

Meet at the lower barn ie:- The Great House Barn, Rivington (Sat Nav BL6 7SB), ready for the usual start time of 10.30am.

From the lower barn we head northwards along the side of Lower Rivington Reservoir. At Rivington we enter field paths and make our way to, and walk along, the eastern side of Yarrow Reservoir. From the northern end of the reservoir we head uphill winding our way until we reach the War Memorial.

After a short break here we head northwest to Jepson´s Gate, where we meet a minor road and follow it downhill to a recognised viewpoint overlooking Anglezarke Reservoir. Some more road walking takes to woodland and country tracks, which lead us back to the village of Rivington. From here we retrace our steps back to our starting point.

14/04/2022 Thursday Car - Longton Brickcroft

B Walk - Longton Brickcroft with Allan Benson

7 miles (11km) with ?ft (?m) Total Ascent

Meet at Longton Brickcroft car park (Sat Nav:PR4 5YY), ready for the usual start time of 10.30am.

No details available.

03/04/2022 Coach - Hayfield

April

8:00 start with 17:30 return

A Walk - Walking History with John Parkinson

12 miles (19km) with 2000ft (610m) Total Ascent

From the centre of Hayfield we walk along the river towards Kinder reservoir and the route of the famous Kinder Mass Trespass of 1932 when walkers seeking the right to roam confronted Gamekeepers leading to prison sentences before the law gradually changed to allow greater freedom to explore our land.

Skirting the reservoir we head up William Clough to join the Pennine Way. Following the Pennine Way through Kinder Scout Nature Reserve we turn at Edale Cross taking a route which picks up the Pennine Bridleway and leads us into Hayfield. 

B+ Walk - Decent Day - Kinder Scout with Merriel Nutter

10 miles (16km) with 2000ft (610m) Total Ascent

From Hayfield north on Snake Path, east along White Brow, north up William Clough. Follow Pennine Way south easterly along the plateau edge to Kinder Downfall, then southerly over Kinder Low (trig point) passing Edale Rocks and turning west onto the path past Edale Cross joining a track at Oaken Clough to Coldwell Clough and joining the Pennine Bridleway into Hayfield.

 

Horrid Day - Pennine Bridleway with Merriel Nutter

10 miles (16km) with 1000ft (305m) Total Ascent

From Hayfield south east on Highgate Road take track to Higher Hays Farm. Follow Pennine Bridleway south easterly to a road just after Tom Moor Plantation and the spot height 403m. Take a mixture of roads and paths first westerly passing Breck Edge, Slack Hall, Bowden Head and Wash. Turn northerly to pass Brekhead, Slack House, Dewsnaps and Andrews Farm. Re-join Pennine Bridleway to Highgate Road and Hayfield.

B Walk - A Lantern wander round Middle Moor with Chris Cook

7½ miles (12km) with 1500ft (475m) Total Ascent

There are toilets at the car park.

We leave the car park following the Sett Valley Trail to Birch Vale and then take the Penine Bridle Way to Lantern Pike. We head for Knarrs after which we cross the A624 and follow the path over Middle Moor to Shooting Cabin. Bearing right down Snake Path we head back to Hayfield.

HAPPY DAYS.

C Walk - Around New Mills then onto Hayfield with Bob Tognarelli

6 to 7 miles (9.7 to 11km) with 396ft (120m) Total Ascent

The coach will stop in New Mills, very soon after it turns off the A6 onto the A6015, Albion Road. From the drop off point we will make our way to High Peak Park and toilets, a 20 minute walk. Then it´s a walk around the park and onto station road to pick up the trail going down to the Torrs Riverside Park and lunch. From here we follow the Goyt River in a southerly direction to get to the Goyside Meadow Nature Reserve. Then it´s a short walk along the Canal to Victoria Road leading to Wirksmoor Road and back to Torrs Riverside Park for a last look.

We either pick up the Sett Valley Trail direct or divert through the town centre. It´s about a 3 mile walk to Hayfield, but there is the opportunity for a refreshment break at the half way point at the Sett Valley Cafe.

The Sett Valley Trail ends at car park where our coach will be waiting (toilets available at a price). After a quick change it´s on to the refreshments before taking the coach home.