10/05/2018 Thursday Car - Hornby

B Walk - Hornby with Tony Ingham 

9½ miles (15.3km) with 800ft (244m) Total Ascent

This walk has been moved from 8th March due to adverse weather conditions.

Meet at the car park next to River Wenning (Sat Nav: LA2 8JR. Map Ref: GR 585683), ready for the usual start time of 10.30am.

The first 2 miles of the walk are flat as we follow the banks of the Rivers Wenning and Lune. The next section includes a climb up Windy Bank on the way to Tatham. From there it is mostly field paths to the village of Wray. The last 1.5 miles takes us from Wray back to Hornby. In the right weather this should be a lovely walk, but it is bound to be muddy in the many fields if there has been a lot of rain. If there has I have a cunning plan B!

06/05/2018 Coach Walk - Glenridding via Dockray

8:00 start with 17:30 return

A Walk - Helvellyn & The Dodds with Colin Manning

11 miles (17.7km) with 3500ft (1067m) Total Ascent

Leaving the coach at Dockray we head up the road towards High Row and on to a cycle track to Groovebeck Fold. From here we head up over Matterdale Common all the way up to Great Dodd. Our high level walk takes us over Watson Dodd, Stybarrow Dodd and Raise, before reaching our ultimate goal of Helvellyn.

Our planned decent is via the rocky ridge of Swirrel Edge and over the distinct peak of Catstye Cam before following the traditional valley path alongside Birkhoise Moor all the way back in to Glenridding. If the weather is bad we can descend a safer way, via Red Screes, avoiding Swirrel Edge.

B+ Walk - Grisedale Pilgrimage with Kevin Poole

8 miles (12.9km) with 2500ft (762m) Total Ascent

Today´s walk starts in Patterdale. After passing waterfall wood we climb up to the ridge consisting of Black Crag, Birks, The Cape and St Sunday Crag. Weather permitting great views will reward your exertion.

We then descend to the mystical Griesdale Tarn. After soaking in the atmosphere we walk down the valley, until paths take us to Glenridding and the coaches.

Any regular B+ walker should be fit enough to enjoy this route.

B Walk - Great Mell Fell & Aira Force with Tony Ingham

9 miles (14.5km) with 650ft (198m) Total Ascent

We leave the coach on the Dockray Road and walk along a disused (honest!) army firing range to the foot of Great Mell Fell. When I reccied the walk I climbed it, but, as it would add a very steep and boggy 700 ft climb to the total, I have decided that you might enjoy it more if we walk round the undulating base of the Fell, on the southern flank, to Brownrigg Farm. From there we will head south west to Matterdale End. It is then south east to Ulcat Row where we turn to go south to Aira Force. From there we take a newly formed path, part of the circuit round Ullswater, and this leads south west and south for 3 miles to Glenridding and the coach.

C Walk - Dockray via Aira Force to Glenridding with Bill & Bob

5 miles (8km) with 150ft (45m) Total Ascent

Starting from Dockray we take the track to our left along this splendid Valley, passing the farm and barn we turn right. After passing through the gate, at this point the track becomes rough and undulated continuing we pass along side of High Force, shortly we fork right at a junction leading to 76 steps down to Aira Force.

After lunch we climb out from here before crossing over the beck to follow the track to the information centre and cafe by the A592. Turning right we walk along the Ullswater Way to Glenridding, a few climbs along the route. Extra walk when reaching Glenridding after refreshments.

25/04/2018 - A Grand Night Out

A Grand Night Out with Pete & Steve

Slide Show, Raffle & Hotpot Supper.

Tickets £6 which includes a Hotpot Supper, Apple Pie & Cream.

There will be a slide show of photographs taken by club walkers from the previous year and a Raffle.

Drinks including tea, coffee and alcohol can be purchased on the night.

Tickets available from Committee Members, or email secretary@pdwc.org for details of how to buy tickets (Vegetarian option available if notified when buying ticket).

Venue: The Longton VM Sports & Social Club, School Lane, Longton, Preston PR4 5ZA

22/04/2018 Sunday Car - Abbeystead / The Crook O Lune

B Walk - Abbeystead - The Twin Rivers with Margaret & Bob 

6 miles (9.7km) with 500ft (152m) Total Ascent

Meet at Stoops Bridge, Abbeystead. (Sat Nav: LA2 9BH Map Ref: GR563543), ready for the usual start time of 10.30am.

From Stoops Bridge we turn right passing Abbeystead House following The Wyre Way making our way towards Top of Emmetts and on to the hamlet of Tarnbrook. Passing through we continue along towards Gilberton Farm where we climb up to the highest part of the walk at the edge of the moor. We then make our way to Tower Lodge and the Trough of Bowland Road to Marshaw Wyre. Continuing on road and field paths we approach Hore Wood. Eventually passing the front of Abbeystead House built in 1886 leading back to stoops bridge.

C Walk - The Crook O Lune with Roy Smith 

Meet at the Crook of Lune main car park (Sat Nav LA2 9HY), ready for the usual start time of 10.30am.

From the main car park we make our way along the disused railway line, in the direction of Halton. Along this stretch we will pass a number of interesting features, including the disused railway station of Halton. Just past the station we cross the river via a narrow road bridge and enter the village of Halton. Following the northerly bank of the River Lune we pass the recently constructed hydro-electricity station, before heading uphill to Low Road! From Low Road we make our way along field paths and woodland tracks, until we come to the footbridge across the River Lune. We cross the bridge and continue through fields, and along farm tracks until we meet the Lune Valley Ramble footpath. We now follow the path back to the main car park.

18/04/2018 Stroller - Marton Mere Nature Reserve

Walk with Barry Hayhurst
2.1 miles (3.4km) with No Climbing

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

Meet at: (Sat Nav: FY3 8LL), this is the postcode of the Village Hotel situated on East Park Drive Blackpool (we will be using their vast car park), then afterwards at the Art Deco Cafe, Stanley Park (FY3 9EQ).

This is a level circular walk around a SSSI nature reserve (and partly through a caravan holiday park). Plenty of benches and some “ hides ” to take the weight off your feet are situated around the Mere .

This site used to be part of Blackpool´s landfill site, but their doesn´t seem to be any trace of it now. The Mere is an attractive site for wild fowl, birds, butterflies, and dragonflies. The reed beds cover a large area around the edges, home to the illusive reed bunting, among other species. So you may wish to bring some binoculars or a camera ... you never know what we may see. The first one to spot Blackpool Tower gets to buy me a pint!

12/04/2018 Thursday Car - Stocks Reservoir, Slaidburn

B Walk - Stocks Reservoir with Mary & Kevin McEnaney 

9 miles (15km) with 855ft (260m) Total Ascent

Meet at School Lane Car park (Sat Nav: BB7 4TS Map Ref:SD732565), ready for the usual start time of 10.30am.

Please note: there is a £3 car park charge.

We leave car park pass through wooded area, then pass the remains of Birch Hill Farm through pasture land to Hasgill Beck, then onto New House Farm then descending into Parks Clough and head onto Lock Bridge crossing the Hodder, then rejoin Stocks Reservoir circular walk which is followed until the end. Outstanding views of the Hodder landscapes.

08/04/2018 Coach Walk - Bakewell

8:00 start with 17:30 return

A Walk - Monsal Trail & Tunnels with Dave Colbert

14½ miles (24km) with 1080ft (330m) Total Ascent

The Monsal Trail follows the route of the former Midland Railway line between Buxton and Bakewell, which closed in 1968. For much of its length the Trail lies within the deeply cut valley of the River Wye, with spectacular views across the picturesque limestone landscape of the White Peak. Despite the length, this is an easy walk mostly on good tracks with little in the way of serious climbing.

We start on the A6 just south of the village of Blackwell in the Peak and loop round to Taddington along the Pennine Bridleway and across Sough Top, at 438m/1,437ft one of the highest points in the White Peak. Descending into Wye Dale, we meet the Monsal Trail just east of Chee Tor Long Tunnel (401yds), taking the easy route through the hillside to emerge high above Chee Dale. Chee Tor Short Tunnel (91yds) and Rusher Cutting Tunnel (121yds) follow, then it´s down into the gorge paralleling the railway but below it through the spectacular Chee Dale gorge with stepping stones in the river in places. We climb back onto the Monsal Trail close to where we joined it first time and head downhill through Millers Dale, Litton Tunnel (516yds) and Cressbrook Tunnel (471yds) to Monsal Head and it´s magnificent viaduct, which we cross before plunging into Headstone Tunnel (533yds). The latter part of the Trail passes through the former Great Longstone Station, beyond which we will climb over a couple of hillocks to reach Bakewell.

B+ Walk - Deepdale,Lathkill Dale & Haddon Hall with Val Walmsley

11 miles (17.7km) with 600ft (183m) Total Ascent

We leave the coach at the White Lodge Picnic area, in bottom of Toddington Dale(GR170705) on A6 Buxton to Bakewell Road. Proceeding through Deep Dale to Bagshaw Dale on edge of Monyash, we soon enter the beautiful Lathkill Dale with its crystal clear stream running through it. Climbing out of Dale at Raper Lodge, we find an old building once used in a D H Lawrence film set in the past. Proceeding to Haddon Hall, we conclude the walk along the River Wye to Bakewell and tarts.

B Walk - Rowsley & Chatsworth with Tony Ingham

10 miles (16.09km) with 1000ft (305m) Total Ascent

From Bakewell we cross the golf course and climb up to Calton Pastures. Heading east and then north we reach the quaint village of Edensor. We proceed from there to Chatsworth House and the Derwent Valley Heritage Way which we follow south, through Calton Lees, to Rowsley. Here we turn north along a bridleway, then a farm track and, finally, a disused railway back into Bakewell.

C Walk - Haddon Hall with Joyce Bradbury

5.37 miles (8.6km) with 397ft (121m) Total Ascent

Setting off from the Coach Park in Bakewell we cross the River Wye and follow footpaths to the A6. After crossing with care, we have a short steepish climb to a stile from where a path takes us to a very muddy wood. A field path now takes us down to a footbridge and a short steep climb to some cultivated fields. We cross these on some spray tracks (hardened ground).

Most of our climbing is now over and we follow more field paths down to the A6 at Haddon Hall. A short road walk (pavement) brings us to a path down to the Wye which we follow for some distance to a wood. At the end of the wood is one end of the Monsal Trail. Another mile brings us to the path down to Bakewell where ther are plenty of pubs if the cafés are closing. Melting snow (more is a possibility!) meant some soggy and muddy places! PS: Just one real stile!

25/03/2018 Sunday Car - Garstang

B Walk - Garstang with Stuart Arnold 

9½ miles (15.3km) with 700ft (213m) Total Ascent

Meet on the car park next to the old council offices in Garstang (Sat Nav: PR3 1FU). Unfortunately there is a charge of £3 for the six hours we will be there. We can avoid this if we park on Croston road or you might want to risk it on Booths car park. We will meet at the bottom end of the car park next to the river Wyre, ready for the usual start time of 10.30am.

Having negotiated the rather damp underfoot condition across the fields up to the motorway crossing we will take a coffee break and watch the busy world go bye. The walk up Grize Dale is then particularly pleasant for it's quietness. Hopefully we will reach Grizedale Bridge were we will lunch by the stream. After crossing the tops we will descend into Calder Vale were there is a toilet break. Leaving Calder Vale we will reach the skyline were we have a superb view of the Fylde coastline, let's hope for clear day. On our descent to Garstang we will cross the motorway again together with a stream!! We will then cross the defunct railway crossing spur which used to go to Garstang followed by the remains of Garstang castle.

21/03/2018 Stroller - Brinscall Baths

Walk with Roy
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 Brinscall Baths,(Sat Nav: PR6 8QU), then afterwards at The Hoghton Arms, Withnall (Sat Nav: PR6 8BL).

11/03/2018 Coach Walk - Grasmere

March

8:00 Start with 17:30 (5:30pm) Return

A Walk - Caiston Glen with Stuart Drysdale

11 miles (17.7km) with 2900ft (884m) Total Ascent

Due to the recent weather conditions I have decided to lead a lower-level walk, starting in Ambleside.

We head uphill alongside Stock Ghyll past Low Grove and High Grove to the Kirkstone Inn. We then we follow the road downhill until we reach Caiston Beck which we follow upstream along Caiston Glen to the Scandale Pass. It´s then mainly downhill down Scandale to the Kirkstone Road and back into Ambleside for refreshments and the coach home.

B+ Walk - Blea Rigg with Kevin Poole

8 miles (12.9km) with 2000ft (610m) Total Ascent

Welcome Comrades. Starting from Grasmere We follow excellent paths up to Easedale Tarn. From here we have a good view of the imposing buttress of Blea Rigg. Dont worry, we climb up the easy way - via the ridge between Castle How and Blea Rigg. From here we go to the summit to explore the wonderful views.

We back track and head along the ridge to Castle How and Lang How. It´s then a gradual descent back into Grasmere.

I have picked today´s route taking into account the harsh snowy weather coming from Siberia. This is perfect for your average B+ walker who is suitably prepared.

B Walk - Alcock Tarn with Barry Mather

7½ miles (12km) with 1700ft (518m) Total Ascent

Leaving Grasmere car park we head north and after crossing the A591 take a minor road passing the Swan Hotel. We follow a stream uphill and after crossing it at the end of the lane we start a steep climb on the open fells. Eventually reaching Alcock Tarn. We then descend to White Moss Common stopping occasionally to admire the view over Grasmere we then follow the undulating 'coffin road to Rydal. At the church we pass through Dora's Field to the A 591. After crossing the River Rothay we make a slight ascent to Rydal Cave then descend to Grasmere Lake which we follow and on reaching the road arrive back in Grasmere.

C Walk - Glen Rothay with Bob & Joyce for Bill

6 miles (9.7km) with 353ft (108m) Total Ascent

A tried and well trodden route.

Setting off from Waterhead we make our way to Hayes Garden Centre. Plenty of time for a browse and a coffee! Leaving the Garden Centre we pass through Ambleside via the Churchyard and then along the River Rothay to Pelter Bridge on a limited access road. Here we turn left and climb gently until we reach Rydal Water. We will take the upper permissive path past Rydal Caves, the only real climb of the day. After the caves we follow more or less downward paths until we reach Grasmere. We take the shore path for about half the lake before a final road walk brings us to Grasmere village, the coaches, the shops and the cafés.