No Walk
No walk this month but a meal at Duxburys Garden Centre. 12.15pm for 12.30pm.
Meet at Maple Leaf Café, Duxburys Garden Centre, Whitestake (PR4 4LB).
We are based in Lancashire in the North West of England but our walks take us round the UK's National Parks & National Landscapes, the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales, Peak District & North Wales. *** To view the next walk - Please scroll to the bottom ***
14/01/2018 Coach Walk - Hebden Bridge
8:00 start with 16:30 return
13½ miles (22km) with 2000ft (620m) Total Ascent
Black Hameldon sits squarely on the main watershed of Britain (and two River Calders) and would certainly meet Private Frazer´s definition of ‘A Wild and Lonely Place’.
We start from Holme Chapel (bizarrely just outside of Burnley) and follow the Pennine Bridleway up onto The Long Causeway, leaving this at the windfarm for a trackless tramp across Black Hameldon (479m/1,572ft) to the pass at Gorple Gate below the dramatic Gorple Stones. Here we rejoin the Pennine Bridleway and head down to Widdop Reservoir, thence via Clough Foot and Gorple Lower Reservoir and a short climb to the ancient Reaps Cross. Leaving the Pennine Bridleway we ascend Standing Stone Hill (a trig point here, nothing more) before descending into the deep-cut valley of Colden Clough, which leads directly to Mytholm and Hebden Bridge. If the weather is really bad we will stick with the Pennine Bridleway between The Long Causeway and Gorple Gate.
9½ miles (15.3km) with 1830ft (558m) Total Ascent
We leave Hebden Bridge and head west along the Rochdale canal before climbing up through Callis Wood and joining the Pennine Bridleway to Swillington and London Road. Dropping down we will pass through the beautiful village of Mankinholes with its 18th century cottages and stone water troughs, a sure sign that this was an important stopping point on these old packhorse trails.
Heading south from Mankinholes we join the Calderdale Way and start the steady climb up to Stoodley Pike monument which dominates the moors for miles around. It was first built in 1815 to celebrate peace at the end of the Napoleonic war but it collapsed in 1854 and was replaced 2 years later by the present structure. The internal spiral staircase can be climbed, using torches as it is pitch black, to reach a viewing platform. Well worth the effort.
We descend by Law Hill, Pinnacle and the tiny hamlet of Horsehold to follow the steep lane back to Hebden Bridge. Don´t forget your torches!
7½miles (12.1km) with 1000ft (304m) Total Ascent
At the time of writing these details I have been unable to recce the walk due to a felled tree on a vital part of the route (no pun intended). The local authorities where working on it and I am assured this tree will be gone well before we do the walk today. This means that all the details are as accurate as I can get without having been able to recce the walk.
So, starting our walk from Hebden Bridge we head up towards Mytholm and Heptonstall. Here, we continue north to Lee Bank before baring west to continue through woodland paths towards Shackleton and round to Hardcastle Crags. Further along we reach Walshaw where we turn to open field paths to head East to Lumb Hole Waterfall at the top of Crimsworth Dean. Turning back towards Hebden Bridge we now start a steady decent through woodland paths down alongside Crimsworth Dean. At New Bridge we continue south to Midghole and Lee wood. Our descent steepens here for a short while till we reach Nutclough and follow the road back in to Hebden Bridge.
5½ miles (8.8km) with 600ft (182m) Total Ascent
Leaving Hebden Bridge we pass the Railway Station and go under the railway track to join the path through Crow Nest Woods. It is a good steady climb all the way through the woods, we then exit onto a hard track. Crossing the track we take the path signposted to Pinnacle Lane, which goes through open field, and involves more climbing to the Brents, and the junction at Pinnacle Lane. Then it´s along a good path on Kilnshaw Lane to Kershaw Farm. Sadly, this is our nearest point to the Stoodley Pike Monument.
We now join the Pennine way at Lower Rough Head for a short distance, before crossing fields to Pinnacle lane. Then it is a descent through open field to the edge of Callis wood and onto Horsehold and a further long descent on the road back down to Hebden Bridge. At this point we will have walked 4 miles. At Hebden Bridge the walk will continue along the canal and the river Calder for approx 1.5 miles.
11/01/2018 Thursday Car - Longridge Fell from Hurst Green
7 miles (11km) with 1024ft (306m) Total Ascent
Meet at Hurst Green Village Car Park (Sat Nav: BB7 9QB), ready for the usual start time of 10.30am.
Leaving the village we turn left onto Whalley Road. After a short road walk we turn left onto a track taking us past the school and Timothy Cottage, and on through fields towards Stonyhurst College. Passing the college we take the road past Stockbridge Cottages turning right into fields and making our way to Kemple End. At Kemple End we turn right up a broad forest track up Longridge Fell where we will have lunch.
After lunch we take a descending path through bracken leading us to a forest path and then briefly onto a road. We continue onto a cart track that leads to the ancient house 'Greengore'. We walk on through beech woodland and follow Dean Brook back to Hurst Green.
17/12/2017 Coach - Windermere & Ambleside
December
8:00 Start with 16:30 (4:30pm) Return
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
December
10:30am Start
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
December
Meet 12:15pm for 12:30pm
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
December
10:30am Start
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.
6.7 miles (10.8km) with 300ft (61m) Total Ascent
Meet at the long stay car park next to the railway station (Sat Nav: BB7 2ED), ready for the usual start time of 10.30am.
We start off on field paths leading down to the Ribble Way which we follow southwards, via Edisford Bridge (toilets), to Fishes and Peggy Hill Farm. Here we turn east to reach a Roman Road and from there through fields to Lower Standen. At this point we head west to follow a stream to Henthorne Road which leads back northwards for a mile to the car park through Clitheroe's southern suburbs.
19/11/2017 Coach - Ilkley
November
8:00 Start with 16:30 (4:30pm) Return
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
November
10:30am Start
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.
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