19/06/2019 Stroller - Lytham

Lytham Wander with Bill and Marie

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 Lytham Railway Station (Sat Nav: FY8 4TQ), then afterwards at the Railway Café.

16/06/2019 Sunday Car - Bowgreave

B Walk - Bowgreave near Garstang with Tony Ingham

8½ miles (13.6km) with 250ft (76m) Total Ascent

Meet in the back car park at Bowgreave Rise Care Home, Bowgreave, on the B6430 Garstang Road to the south of Garstang, PR3 1YD (permission given to park there) for the usual start time of 10.30 am.

We initially cross a disused football field to join the Lancaster Canal where we head east before leaving it at the third bridge. We then go north across fields, cross the West Coast railway line and M6 motorway to Parkhead, Keeper's Lane and Higher Lane to reach Long Crossey Wood and Woodacre Great Wood (lunch). We continue into Scorton (pay toilets) and from there head south along the Wyre Way all the way back to the Lancaster Canal on the south side of Garstang. We then follow the towpath south and eastwards back to the start point.

13/06/2019 Thursday Car - Garstang

B Walk - Garstang with Christine & Nora

7-8 miles (11-12.9km) with flat walking.

Meet main car park Garstang (Sat Nav: PR3 1FU), ready for the usual start time of 10.30am.

From the Car Park the walk takes us through the Millennium Park and across the River Wyre, through fields, roads and tracks into Scorton. From Scorton we cross the A6 to join the Canal and head along the Canal path which takes us back to Garstang.

02/06/2019 Coach Walk - Threlkeld via Thirlmere

8:00 start with 17:30 return

A Walk - Helvellyn and The Dodds with Dave Colbert

11¾ miles (19km) with 4050ft (1230m) Total Ascent

The mountain range of which Helvellyn is the dominant height extends northwards from Grisedale Tarn for over 12 kilometres to the village of Threlkeld and forms the greatest area of high fells in the Lake District.

This walk traverses much of this range, taking in seven ‘Wainwright’ summits, beginning with an ascent of Helvellyn (950m/3,116ft) itself from Highpark Wood on the eastern shore of Thirlmere by way of Helvellyn Gill and Browncove Crags. It´s then north from Lower Man over White Side (863m/2,832ft) and Raise (883m/2,896ft) to the Sticks Pass, a natural escape route down into St John´s in the Vale in case of inclement weather. We will hopefully continue over Stybarrow Dodd (843m/2,765ft) and across Watson´s Dodd to Great Dodd (857m/2,811ft), thence past the rocky outcrop of Calfhow Pike to our final summit, Clough Head (726m/2,382ft). A grassy rake makes for an interesting descent to Wanthwaite and the road to Threlkeld. Although strenuous, this is a magnificent traverse consistently above 750 metres with stunning views if clear. 

B+ Walk - Blencathra - the Saddleback with Kevin Poole

8 miles (12.87km) with 2700ft (762m) Total Ascent

Today´s walk starts and ends in Threlkeld. Although the walk has a lot of climbing. The ascent is mainly gradual. At one point in the walk you will need at least three points of contact as you negotiate a small scramble.

This is not an easy B+ but well worth the effort for some amazing views of the Northern fells.

B Walk - Great How with Barry Mather

8 miles (12.9km) with 1000ft (305m) Total Ascent

We set off from Legburtwaite and after carefully crossing the A 591 we head towards the bridge over St Johns Beck and on to Smaithwaite. Then after skirting a wood we cross the A 591 again. We then head for Dale Bottom Caravan Site then join the road to St John's church. We then have a short climb over Low Rigg and after passing Tewet Tarn head for the old disused railway line. Following the River Glenderamackin we arrive at Threlkeld.

C Walk - Thirlmere & St John's in the Vale with Joyce & Maurice

6.2 miles (10.2km) with 580ft (177m) Total Ascent

We leave the coach at the Swirls car park (toilets available) and drop down to the shore of Thirlmere. We follow a permissive path northward, leaving the lake to pass east of Great How (the two short steepish climbs here mean that most of the climbing has now been done) and arrive at Legburthwaite. We will have lunch somewhere around here.

A rather stony track along and above St John´s Beck (care needed here) brings us to Low Bridge End Farm. Thereafter we follow field paths, initially near the beck as far as Bridge House, all the way to Threlkeld Bridge. At this point we follow the road into Threlkeld. Unlike most of our walks there are not many stiles!

19/05/2019 Sunday Car - Tockholes / Scorton

B Walk - Tockholes with Dorothy Dobson

7½ miles (12km) with Undulating ground

Meet at the Tockholes Visitor Centre, Darwen (Sat Nav BB3 0PA), ready for the usual start time of 10.30am.

Starting from Tockholes Visitor Centre, we cross over the road to enter the wood where we pick up the Witton Weavers Way. We follow this path through Tockholes village to the M65 Motorway. We now change direction going east to Winter Hill (not the familiar one) and down to the golf course. Still going downhill we walk along the length of Sunnyhurst Wood to Earnsdale Reservoir and make our way along a track and fields to the car park.

C Walk - More tramping around Scorton with Bob Tognarelli

6 miles (9.6km) with 300ft (91m) Total Ascent

Meet in Scorton, on the main road near the Scorton Bowling Club (Sat Nav: PR3 1BJ), ready for the usual start time of 10.30am. Toilets available if you pay.

From here we head south on the Wyre Way, beside the River Wyre, to Gubberford Bridge. Crossing the road we walk down Woodacre Lane to the railway line. Crossing the bridges over both the railway line and the motorway we again pick up Wyre Way, but now we head north. We are heading back to Scorton across fields and through woods to reach Tithebarn lane. Maybe have lunch before we climb to Higher Lane and then descend to Woodacre Pasture to pick up the Grize Dale track around the base of Nicky Nook and walk to the other end of Higher Lane. We turn into Higher Lane and follow for a short distance before taking the footpath that will take us passed Potter´s Hill New wood, Potter´s Hill and down to Sands Bottom. Here we turn right on to the gravel track that leads to Snowhill Lane and back to the cars.

We now have the opportunity to indulge in refreshments at The Barn before heading home.

P.S. Tramping “the recreational activity of going for long-distance walks in rough country”, so come prepared.

15/05/2019 Stroller - Beacon Fell Country Park

Beacon Fell Country Park with Bob and Christine

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 on the Beacon Fell Visitor Centre car park (Sat Nav: PR3 2NL), then afterwards at Owd Nells, St Michael´s Road, Bilsborrow (PR3 0RS).

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).