09/05/2019 Thursday Car - Yarrow Valley, Birkacre, Chorley

B Walk - Yarrow Valley with Allan Benson

8 miles (12.9km) with no significant climbing.

Meet at Birkacre Visitor Centre (Sat Nav: PR7 3QL Map Ref: GR570153), ready for the usual start time of 10.30am.

We start our walk from the country park and follow the River Yarrow through Saunders Bank and Big Wood to Duxbury Park. We then follow the Leeds Liverpool Canal for approximately 2 miles before making our way back to Yarrow Park via Sandy Lane, footpaths and some quiet roads.

05/05/2019 Coach Walk - Middleton-In-Teesdale

8:00 start with 17:30 return

A Walk - High Force and Low Force with Stuart Drysdale

13 miles (20.9km) with 1320ft (404m) Total Ascent

We leave the coach where the Pennine Way crosses the B6276 and head past Wythes Hill Farm to pick up a bridleway heading North-West over Brown Dod to Crooks o´ Green Fell. From here we head north to Holwick Scars then west to Noon Hill Side, from where we head north to pick up the Pennine Way and go eastwards along the River Tees past High Force then Low Force and onwards to Middleton-in-Teesdale for refreshments and the coach home. 

B+ Walk - Quest for the Force with Kevin Poole

11.2 miles (18km) with 500ft (152m) Total Ascent

Leaving Middleton we follow the river Tees to High Force waterfall. We then head back to the coach via Holwick.

This is a delightful all weather walk.

B Walk - Teesdale Way & Eggleston with Tony Ingham

9 miles (14.5km) with 900ft (275m) Total Ascent

Leaving Middleton we head east along the Teesdale Way and follow it for 4 miles all the way to the village of Eggleston. At this point we turn on to a path which goes west and eventually reaches the village of Mickleton, via Bogg House and a large footbridge over the River Tees. Just south of Mickleton we pick up a path along a disused railway and walk along it until we get to Lonton where we leave the railway track to proceed across fields back into Middleton. There are no sustained climbs on this walk but quite a number of little ups and downs which together make up the 900ft of climbing.

C Walk - The River Tees with Dorothy Dobson

6 miles (9.7km) with 400ft (122m) Total Ascent

We leave the town centre (toilets) to follow a path south east down to the River Tees. Here the river bank is undulating and there are wooden steps for the first 30 yards and we need to take extra care when going over them.

Once past the steps the path levels out and it is pleasant walking in the beautiful countryside. Continuing along the river bank for one and a half miles, we then climb a small rise away from the river to join a track to Ornella Farm and back down to the river where we cross a substantially built footbridge solely for the use of walkers. Despite objections from the farmer who didn´t want it on his land, many organisations contributed to the cost and it was erected in 2002.

Now we head through fields to gradually climb to the village of Mickleton and still further uphill to reach the disused railway line. We are now on a very good track for two miles before joining a well worn path through the fields to the river and back to Middleton.

21/04/2019 Sunday Car - Edgworth

B Walk - Edgworth & Jumbles Reservoirs with Bob & Margaret

7¼ miles (11.6km) with 345ft (105m) Total Ascent

Meet at Barlow Institute Car Park next to Cricket Club, Edgworth GR742166 (Sat Nav BL7 0AP), ready for the usual start time of 10.30am.

We make our way to the dam at Wayho Reservoir and cross to the far side where we have a steady climb through woodland to reach Bartonridge Barn car park. From here we walk through fields to where we join the path towards Clough House Farm, we are now on Witton Weavers Way with beautiful views across the valley of Bradshaw Brook, proceeding to Turton Tower. We then continue to Jumbles Reservoir, before turning right to follow a path along the reservoir which joins another path at the top leading onto Rotary Way where we continue to complete our walk round this beautiful reservoir. We then proceed towards Turton Bottoms to join Witton Weavers Ways once again through fields and footpaths winding our way back to Edgworth.

17/04/2019 Stroller - Clitheroe Sculpture Park

Clitheroe Sculpture Park with Barbara, Margaret and Linda

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 the Car Park Chester Avenue, opposite Royal Mail depot (Sat Nav: BB7 2AJ), then afterwards at Maxwells (Sat Nav: BB7 2EU).

11/04/2019 Thursday Car - Dunsop Bridge

B Walk - Dunsop Bridge with Kevin McEnaney

8½ miles (13.6km) with 1100ft (335m) Total Ascent

Meet at Dunsop Bridge pay and display car park (Toilet and boot washing facilities), Sat Nav: BB7 3BB. Map Ref: SD661502 OS Explorer 0L41, ready for the usual start time of 10.30am.

We follow the River Dunsop along farm access tracks passing, small dams, flood barriers and onto Brennand Farm, after passing through the farm an uphill track takes us to Whitendale. The ascent, though initially steep, the gradient soon eases and the Whitendale Valley comes into view.

We then follow an old railway and pipeline track to make our return journey back to Dunsop Bridge. The walk takes in magnificent views of the Bowland Fells and is very near the centre of Britain.

07/04/2019 Coach Walk - Glenridding via Kirkstone Pass

8:00 start with 17:30 return

A Walk - Stony Cove Pike and High Street with Graham Hogg

11 miles (17.5km) with 2700ft (820m) Total Ascent

Leaving the coach at the Kirkstone Inn, we make an initial ascent up to St. Ravens Edge and then to Stoney Cove Pike (763m) before descending carefully into the confines of Threshthwaite Mouth.

From here, we will climb to Thornthwaite Beacon (784m) with its distinctive summit cairn.

We gradually ascend the vast High Street ridge to the summit and trig point standing at 828m before a long descent to the Straits of Riggindale.

Unfortunately, the climbing isn´t over yet – we have three more tops in quick succession – Kidsty Pike (780m), Rampsgill Head (792m) and The Knott (739m).

With the serious ascent now out of the way it is a relatively easy return to Glenridding via Angle Tarn, Boredale Hause and Patterdale. 

B+ Walk - Red Screes and High Hartsop Dodd with Colin Manning

7.2 miles (11.6km) with 1510ft (460m) Total Ascent

Today´s walk starts at the Inn atop of Kirkstone pass. We begin straight away with a steep climb up the side of a Red Screes on a route called the Kilnshaw Chimney. We can take our time up here as it is a rocky accent and the hardest part of the walk. Shortly after reaching the top of the Chimney the ground levels off more to reach the summit of Red Screes, the highest part of the walk. From here we descend to the path crossroads at Scandale pass. After continuing for a short grassy climb we turn off this path to Little Hart Crag before descending again to the lower summit of High Hartsop Dodd. A grassy descent from Here takes us down to the path which passes Brothers water and gives a nice gentle stroll all the way via Crookabeck, Rooking and Patterdale to arrive at Glenridding.

If, upon reaching Patterdale, we find we are going to be back too soon we can chose to add a short visit to Lanty´s tarn.

B Walk - Gowbarrow with Tony Ingham

7½ miles (12km) with 1400ft (427m) Total Ascent

This walk will either start at Glenridding and end at Aira Force or the other way round. I would prefer to end in Glenridding and start at Aira Force as there is more to do in Glenridding at the end of the walk, but it will require the willingness of the coach driver on the day to run us on to Aira Force after finishing the other drop offs in Glenridding (depends whether he thinks he can turn round somewhere to go back to Glenridding).

Either way the walk is near the maximum recommended total climbing for a B because it involves the ascent of Gowbarrow, which is a Wainwright standing at 1578ft (481m). Those choosing to do this walk need to be aware of that.

Assuming the start will be from Aira Force, we first climb up to the main waterfall taking the "Squirrel Route" to get there. After viewing the falls we follow a path northwards on the east side of the stream before turning east to climb steeply to the trig point at the top of Gowbarrow. We descend on the other side of the mountain to a derelict shooting lodge and from there proceed westwards with superb views over Ullswater for all of the 2 miles back to Aira Force. The final 3 miles is undulating and mostly along the shoreline of Ullswater into Glenridding. It is said this section passes the spot where Wordsworth saw his host of golden daffodils "beside the lake, beneath the trees, fluttering and dancing in the breeze".

C Walk - Glenridding Valley and Lanty´s Tarn with Roy Smith

4½ miles (7.2km) with 650ft (198m) Total Ascent

The slightly shorter walk takes into account the fact that the total climbing is slightly above the norm for a C walk.

From the car park (toilets available - 30P) we start by walking along the southern side of Glenridding Beck. We cross the beck at Rattlebeck Bridge and make our way to Greenside Road. From here we make our way uphill, with Glenridding Screes to our right, as we walk we will pass the Y.H.A hostel and Mountain Rescue Post, arriving at the disused lead mine. From here we cross Glenridding Beck via a footbridge and traverse the lower slopes of Birkhouse Moor on the south side of the valley. On our way down the valley we make a diversion to visit Lanty´s Tarn, which is well worth a visit. From the tarn we make our way back to Glenridding and welcome refreshments.

Should anyone have had enough climbing, the ascent and descent to Lanty´s Tarn can be missed out, meaning climbing would be reduced to 400 feet in total. 

24/03/2019 Sunday Car - Clitheroe

B Walk - Clitheroe Sculpture Park & Waddow Hall with Roy Smith

5½ miles (8.9km) with 250ft (76m) Total Ascent

Meet at the car park on Chester Avenue, Clitheroe, opposite Royal Mail depot (Sat Nav BB7 2AJ), ready for the usual start time of 10.30am.

From the car park we make our way to the Sculpture Trail in Brungerley Park. Here we will be able to observe many of the sculptures as we walk around the park. From the park we make our way along the Ribble Way and cross the River Ribble at Bradford Bridge. Field tracks now lead us to Waddow Hall where we are able to walk through the grounds. We now drop down to a footbridge, where we cross the river again. We are now able to make our way back, through field tracks, to our start point.

20/03/2019 Stroller - Mere Sands Wood

Mere Sands Wood with Trudy Kirkham

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 the Mere Sands Wood Car Park (Sat Nav: L40 1TG), then afterwards at the Tastebuds Café (formerly Fettlers Wharf café) (Sat Nav: L40 1TB).

14/03/2019 Thursday Car - Wiswell and Sabden

B Walk - Wiswell and Sabden with Dorothy Dobson

7½ miles (12km) Undulating

Meet at Nick of Pendle car park (Nearest - Sat Nav: BB7 9HN) On A59 take new roundabout to Sabden  (directly after Pendleton turn off) , ready for the usual start time of 10.30am.

This is an lovely varied walk with views of the Ribble valley on the first half and views of Padiham Heights as we approach Sabden.

We take a rough track to Wymondhouses and then through fields to a lane that goes to Wiswell. From here we begin a long ciimb to pass near to Wireless station. We then drop down to Bramley Farm taking a good path before crossing fields to Higher Whins and on to Sabden. We cross the Clitheroe Road and continue to walk round Churn Clough Reservoir before heading west to the car park.

10/03/2019 Coach - Hartington & Alstonefield

8:00 start with 17:30 return

A Walk - Wolfscote Hill and Dale with Dave Colbert

13 miles (21km) with 2000ft (600m) Total Ascent

Carboniferous limestone (the same stuff as found in the Yorkshire Dales) makes the White Peak ‘white’. Over time, the action of water has eroded the plateau, creating a number of dramatic river valleys of which that of the Dove is arguably the most spectacular. On this walk we will follow the course of this river through its quieter upper gorge, together with visits to a couple of high points.

Starting from the picturesque village of Hartington, we head south to meet the Dove as it passes through Beresford Dale. A quick out-and-back diversion will take us to the summit of Wolfscote Hill, at 388m/1,273ft the highest hereabouts and a fine viewpoint. It´s then on through the beautiful gorge of Wolfscote Dale to Milldale and eventually Ilam Rock, a dramatic limestone pillar where we leave the valley to climb Bunster Hill. We then head for Alstonefield and the coach by way of Stanshope, dropping into Hall Dale and Hopedale along the way. 

B+ Walk - Dove Dale and Bunster Hill with Sue Banister

9½ miles (15.5km) with 1700ft (515m) Total Ascent

Starting in Alstonefield we go south east to Milldale then head up round Hanson Grange and The Nabs before dropping down to Dove Dale.

After following the River Dove south for a couple of miles we cross the stepping stones (these can be avoided if preferred) and arrive at the Dove Dale parking area where toilets are available.

We then climb up over Bunster Hill which at 329m is the highest point on the walk and gives spectacular views of the area.

Continuing in a northerly direction we pass Ilam Tops Farm and Air Cottage to walk through Dovedale Wood before dropping back down to the river at Ilam Rock.

We then head up through Hall Dale to Stanshope and back to Alstonefield via Dale Bottom.

B Walk -  Alstonefield Mill Dale with Chris Cook

 9 miles (14.5km) with 1250ft (381m) Total Ascent

We leave Alstonefield (toilets available) heading south east, a steady climb to the scenic valley of Hall Dale. We then head down the River Dove to llam Rock. Here we cross the river heading north past the caves to Milldale (toilets here). We then climb out from Milldale over the tops, taking in the splendid views of Derbyshire before joining the Tissington Trail. After approximately one mile we leave the Trail and head down the beautiful valley to the River Dove where we find a short climb, Gypsy Bank and on to Alstonefield for a well earned drink.

Happy Days.

C Walk - Alstonefield to Hartington with Bob Tognarelli

6 miles (9.6km) with 350ft (105m) Total Ascent

We leave Alstonefield (toilets available) heading south east, with a steady descend along the narrow country lane leading to the charming Hamlet of Milldale. From here we head east along the road for a short distance to find the path along the Dove. We now follow the Dove northwards to Coldeaton Bridge and along the Wolfscote Dale. Then it´s the woods of Beresford Dale before exiting into fields for the climb to Hartington.

So now it´s time to enjoy the delights of Hartington before the trip home.

Coach pick up point to be decided on the day.