11/01/2018 Thursday Car - Longridge Fell from Hurst Green
17/12/2017 Coach - Windermere & Ambleside
12½ miles (20km) with 3200ft (975m) Total Ascent
We will do the fairfield horseshoe.
9 miles (15km) with 1800ft (549m) Total Ascent
This walk is similar to the B walk, so Tony suggests we move off first to avoid mix ups.
Leaving the coach at Windermere, we take the path to Ellery Bank & Orrest Head, before descending to Causeway Farm, Near Orrest and Far Orrest (Dirty bog! Gaiters recommended). Skirting Allen Knott, we turn right onto Moorhowe Road and then left onto Longmire Lane which leads us to Limefitt Park. We now follow the A592 right to the church before taking a track to Troutbeck where we will have lunch around here.
Walking through Troutbeck to Nanny Lane, we now climb up Wansfell taking a right fork to The Hundreds. Crossing a wall we now continue diagonally onto the ridgeline, then left along the ridge (clean bog) to Wansfell summit 482 metres (If you really want thousands you have to do it twice). Sorry but it´s a steep and stony descent to Ambleside, if it is very icy we will take Robin Lane and a minor road to a track leading to Stockghyll Force before returning to Ambleside.
9 miles (14.5km) with 1400ft (427m) Total Ascent
This is a linear walk starting from Windermere.
Immediately after leaving the coach we ascend 410 feet to the Orrest Head Viewpoint , which stands at 784 feet above sea level. We descend in a northerly direction to Causeway Farm and follow a minor road eastwards, past Near Orrest Farm, to reach Moorhowe Road. We soon turn off there to proceed north along a Byway for 1.5 miles before dropping down to Limefitt House Holiday Park and Troutbeck. Here we pick up Robin Lane (another track) and this climbs steadily for a mile to High Skelghyll where it drops down through Skelghyll Wood, past Jenkin Crag, to Waterhead. The rest of the walk takes us along the road to the coach in Ambleside for the journey home.
6.45 miles (10.1km) with 262ft (80m) Total Ascent
Today´s walk is a circular, starting from Ambleside.
We begin by heading North to Rothay Park where we turn West and make our way to the footbridge over the River Rothay. Keeping the river on our right we follow the road to Pelter Bridge. If the weather allows, we hope to take the lower path through a small wood and along the edge of Rydal Water. Approaching Loughrigg Terrace we turn North through another small wood, then cross the bridge and continue to the Banner Rigg car park. Next we cross the A591, and begin to slowly climb (180ft) North West until we reach the path to Rydal. Here we turn East. If the weather is good, we will have a lovely the view of Rydal Water and Loughrigg Fell to our right, before reaching Rydal Hall and continuing down through Rydal Park.
Finally we follow the road back into Ambleside where there should be time for a refreshments and/or Christmas shopping. This is a moderately easy walk with good paths. Alison and I would like to wish you all a very Happy Christmas and a Healthy New Year.
14/12/2017 Thursday Car - Rivington
8½ miles (13.5km) with 1035ft (315m) Total Ascent
Meet at Rivington Hall Barn Car Park (Sat Nav: BL6 7SB. Map Ref: 633145), ready for the usual start time of 10.30am.
The walk starts using stony tracks to ascend through Lever Park and includes Lord Leverhulme's ornamental gardens. After following a zig-zag route we head northwards to the western slopes of Rivington Moor which we climb in an easterly direction to reach the summit which should afford stunning views of the surrounding countryside. After passing the TV mast we follow the summit road to Pike cottage and return to the car park via the tower on Rivington Pike.
If there is low cloud I have an alternative walk planned which will include the tower and Rivington reservoirs. The title for this walk is ‘the road to nowhere, destination unknown´ .
Hopefully we should be back for Christmas.
06/12/2017 Stroller - Christmas Meal
Christmas meal at The Ley Inn, Back Lane, Clayton-le-Woods (Sat Nav: PR6 7EU).
Meet 12:15am for 12:30pm.
To book contact Roy Smith (Telephone number on Programme of email: strollerspdwc@gmail.com).
03/12/2017 Sunday Car - Beacon Fell / Clitheroe
8 miles (12.9km) with 850ft (259m) Total Ascent
Meet at Barnsfold Outbarn (Sat Nav: PR3 2WH), ready for the usual start time of 10.30am.
We will walk up via Woodfold onto the fell hoping to find the picture on front of the OS EXPLORER map OL41. We will then search for the dragonfly and the woodpecker before visiting the plaque honouring the Queen's diamond jubilee. We will then drop down off the fell via Middle Lickhurst and Lower Lickhurst to Brock Mill. We will then progress upstream, hopefully crossing the river, if water levels permit. We may then visit the memorial, erected by the club, to Cyril Spiby, a former member of the club. We will then pass through Waddacer scout camp on our way the Gill Barn Wood were we will leave the river and proceed to Wickens corner and eventually Sagar's farm, Broadhead and Rigg lane. We will then pass round the south side of the fell back to Woodfold. This will complete the full tour of the fell and we will then drop down to our starting point.
19/11/2017 Coach - Ilkley
11 Miles / 18km with 1,840ft / 560m Total Ascent
Ah, but which Moor? Which ‘At?? The high ground separating Lower Wharfedale from Airedale goes under a variety of names, Ilkley Moor the most famous due to a certain song. If you wish to sing it, go on the B+! The highest point, which we will visit, is known as Rombalds Moor, 402m/1,320ft, but there are others.
From Ilkley, we follow the Dales Way Link / Ebor Way past the Cow and Calf rocks to Barks Crag on Burley Moor and the small settlement of Burley Woodhead. Various paths lead onto and over Hawksworth Moor to a road at White Flush, left for a long climb past Horncliffe Well and across Bingley Moor (see what I mean) to the Twelve Apostles stone circle and a level walk to the trig point atop Rombalds Moor.
We return to Ilkley down Keighley Road (a track) from Whetstone Gate.
10 miles (16km) with 1132ft (345m) Total Ascent.
Starting in Ilkley we first go south along the Dales Way Link until we meet the Millennium Way which we follow westwards past the Swastika Stone, thought to be of Bronze Age origin.
Turning south on Long Ridge End, a part of Addingham High Moor, we walk to the edge of the forest and then turn south east along a 'not so dry' path to West Buck Stones. We continue to the Wireless Station at Whetstone Gate and then along a newly constructed path to the highest point on Ilkley Moor at 402m/1319ft.
We return to Ilkley via the 12 Apostles Stone Circle and the Cow and Calf rocks.
7 miles (11km) with 1200ft (366m) Total Ascent
We take the road south from the town and immediately begin to climb up to Ilkley Moor, as far as White Wells, then head in a westerly direction along the Dales High Way/ Millennium Way, where we have outstanding views of the surrounding countryside.
We pass the Swastika Stone, believed to be from the Neolithic Age and after another mile leave the path to descend to Cragg House. We follow paths across fields before joining a minor road to Cocking End. Here, after carefully crossing the A65, we Join the Dalesway and back to Ilkley.
6¼ miles (10.1km) with 247ft (65.3m) Total Ascent
We start our walk just past Chelker Reservoir on the A65; only al fresco toilets I´m afraid! We follow field paths, more or less on the level, before descending steeply (450ft / 137m) to Lobwood House where we join the Dales Way to Ilkley along the River Wharfe. This first section and the next mile or so has several stiles, all in good condition.
The way now is, for the most part, flat with three stepped rises to add interest! There are some lovely views but, for the recce, it was very wet under foot except for paved sections. Lots of shops, pubs and cafés in Ilkley
15/11/2017 Stroller - Boundary Mill
Boundary Mill with Roy Smith
2 to 3 miles with Little Climbing
Each Mid-Week Stroller walk has a destination providing a walk and venue for drinks / snacks or meal and starts at 10:30am
Meet at car park at Boundary Mill (Sat Nav: BB8 9NW), then afterwards at Boundary Mill café.
09/11/2017 Thursday Car - Garstang & Cabus Nook
7 miles (11km) with no ascent
Meet at Riverside Pay and Display Car Park, Garstang (cost £3) (Sat Nav: PR3 1FU), ready for the usual start time of 10.30am.
We leave the car park and walk briefly through Garstang to reach the canal. The walk continues through farms, fields and marshland and a small amount of road walking. We continue over fields to reach Cabus Nook Farm and from there we make our way back to the canal towpath. We walk along the canal back to Garstang and the Car Park.
05/11/2017 Sunday Car - Sollom & Bretherton / Galgate
7½ miles (12km) with No Ascent
Meet Tarleton Village Centre car park (Sat Nav: PR4 6UJ), ready for the usual start time of 10.30am.
Totally flat walk on lanes from Tarleton to Bretherton via Sollom and ending through grounds of Bank Hall.