14/11/2021 Coach Walk - Kirkby Lonsdale

November

8:00 Start with 16:30 (4:30pm) Return

A Walk - Farleton Fell & Hutton Roof with Graham Hogg

12½ miles (20km) with 1650ft (500m) Total Ascent

Today´s A walk presents an opportunity for an early start and a linear walk to Kirby Lonsdale. We will leave the coach on the A65 at Lupton, opposite the Plough Inn & Restaurant.

Heading for Aikbank and then Puddlemire Lane, we commence our ascent of Farleton Fell to reach the summit at 265m/870ft. Hopefully, weather permitting, we will be afforded some fine views across to Arnside and the South Lakes.

It´s off to Hutton Roof next, across the Uberash Plain and some intricate weaving around and in between heavily vegetated limestone outcrops and pavements, to reach the trig. point at 274m/900ft. Farleton Fell and Hutton Roof are part of the Morecambe Bay Pavements Special Area of Conservation, and the combined area of limestone pavement on the two fells represent a significant proportion of the United Kingdom´s overall total.

From the summit of Hutton Roof, we descend in a south westerly direction, over Dalton Crags, making for Henridding, Keer Holme and then Docker. From Docker, footpaths and tracks lead us to Whittington where we head towards the River Lune and follow this north until we arrive at Devil´s Bridge and Kirkby Lonsdale in time for some refreshments. 

B+ Walk - Barbon Low Fell with Sue Banister

9 miles (14.5km) with 1345ft (410m) Total Ascent

We leave the coach a few miles north of Kirby Lonsdale on the A683 at Hodge Bridge then walk through Barbon village and into Barbondale.

After crossing Barbon Beck at Blindbeck Bridge we join a bridleway south to Bullpot Farm. This is the home of the Red Rose Caving and Pot Holing Club. Here you are standing over the longest caving system in Britain known as the Three Counties system. You can go underground in Yorkshire, pass under Lancashire and emerge in Cumbria!

From Bullpot, a short stretch of lane leads us to a path which takes us up to the trig point and highest point of Barbon Low Fell at 1437ft (438m). The views up here are spectacular if we get a decent day.

We then cross to the cairn on Brownthwaite Pike after which it is downhill back to Kirby Lonsdale by fields and lanes via Blindloss Farm, Cragg House Farm, and Laitha Lane.

B Walk - The Giant´s Boulders with Stuart & Judith

7 miles (11km) with 400ft (122m) Total Ascent

We will start from the car park close to Devil's bridge.

Walking up through the caravan site we will pass through Cragg House Farm, Blindloss Farm and onto the remains of Fell Foot road. It is up here that we will see some of the giant's Boulders as we progress to Tuplot wood.

From here we walk to Hole House and Langthwaite on our way into Casterton. Down by the river we will pass Casterton Hall and Marigold Well on our way back. 

C Walk - The long way round to Ruskin´s View with Bob and Margaret

6 miles (9.7km) with 215ft (65m) Total Ascent

After thinking about it, I have decided to repeat Bill Manning´s walk of 2014, going through fields with some easy climbing, as it suits a November day.

The walk starts from Devil´s Bridge at Kirkby Lonsdale (toilets cost 40p and you pay by contactless card, no cash accepted). Then it is an easy climb to Laitha Lane track passing the caravan park and golf club on the way to the A683. Turning left here we have a short walk on the A683 to reach the field paths to Casterton Hall and Marigold Well.

We continue through woodland before either climbing up or passing by Gildard Hill and then on through further woodland and fields to reach Lowfields Lane. Turning left we can either go under the old tramway bridge and take the broad track down to the River Lune. Or go across the fields alongside the river. Both routes end up at the castellated bridge over the Lune, and weather obliging a pleasant stop for lunch.

After crossing over the bridge and out of the woods it´s a right turn and then left to walk down the narrow lane to Kearstwick and go left on to the B6254, where a short walk brings us to another left turn to go along the track leading to Ruskin´s View, St Mary´s Church and the Hot Spots of Kirkby Lonsdale for refreshments. After refreshments it´s a 10 to 20 minute walk depending on the route taken to get back to the coach.

11/11/2021 Thursday Car - Hoghton

B Walk - Hoghton Bottoms / Billinge Hill with Dorothy Dobson

7½ miles (12km) with 6000ft (183m) Total Ascent

Meet at Witton Park main entrance - Car Park charge £1.80 (Sat Nav: BB2 2TP), ready for the usual start time of 10.30am.

PLEASE NOTE CHANGE OF VENUE

From the car park we make our way across the park, past the lily pond to the foot of Billinge Hill. We follow a winding path up through the woods to the top, before emerging into a field to pass Wainwright Memorial Stone.

Here we have wonderful views of the surrounding countryside. We then descend via The Witton Weavers Way to Hoghton Bottoms to walk on the flat for a while before gradually climbing Throstle Nest Brow to Pleasington. We skirt round the cemetery to cross Witton Park and back to the car park.

31/10/2021 Sunday Car - Lytham

B Walk - Lytham with The Three Amigos

Meet at the Windmill, Lytham Green, Lytham (Sat Nav FY8 1SJ Grid Ref: 366269), ready for the usual start time of 10.30am.

The walk takes you along the Promenade then after a little road walking out along the embankments then along Lodge Lane until you come to the Bridlepath which takes you to a railway crossing then passing Easthams Caravan site follow the track which leads to Saltcoats Road carry on along this road passing the Catholic Church, at the junction turn right into Ballam Road and carry on back into Lytham passing shops and cafes.

20/10/2021 Stroller - Astley Park, Chorley

Astley Park, Chorley with Roy Smith

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.

For details contact Roy.

17/10/2021 Coach Walk - Glenridding via Kirkstone Pass

8:00 start with 17:30 return

A Walk - Raise & Helvellyn with Dave Colbert

10 miles (16km) with 3350ft (1020m) Total Ascent

Helvellyn is the third highest mountain in England, one of only four that reach ‘Munro’ height. It is best climbed from the east by one of the twin arêtes that enclose the glacial corrie holding Red Tarn, so today our ascent route, weather permitting will be via Striding Edge, followed by a traverse of the range as far as Raise before descending from Sticks Pass to the Greenside Road.

We start from the car park in Glenridding and head up Little Cove to Birkhouse Moor and the infamous Hole-in-the-Wall, basically a gate. The traverse of Striding Edge is very exposed and includes a down climb of some 15 metres at its far end before the final steep climb to Helvellyn´s summit plateau. It´s then along the broad ridge from Lower Man northwards over White Side and Raise to the Sticks Pass, from where we descend alongside Sticks Gill to the Greenside mines and Glenridding.

If weather conditions are poor, we will follow an alternative route from Patterdale via Grisedale, Grisedale Tarn and Dollywaggon Pike, descending from White Side to the Greenside mines. This is slightly longer and involves an additional 90m / 300ft of climbing. 

B+ Walk - The Knot & Angle Tarn with Val Walmsley

9 miles (15km) with 2000ft (610m) Total Ascent

Leaving the coach at Horseman Bridge East to Hartsop & path via Hayeswater Gill to ascend The Knott.

Path north west passing below Rest Dodd to Angle Tarn & Pikes. Follow route to Boredale Hause then back to Glenridding via Side Farm, Patterdale & Grisedale Bridge.

B Walk - Boredale Hause and Sandwick with Stuart & Judith

8½ miles (13.6km) with 1200ft (366m) Total Ascent

The walk will start when the coach drops us off in Patterdale.

We leave Patterdale along the lane to Rooking and start our climb of Boredale Hause. We make for Boredale Head where we start on our rocky descent into the valley to reach a tarmac road.We follow this for about 2 miles before coming to Beckside. A left turn along an undulating path brings us to the shores of Ullswater. We continue the walk to silver bay where we take the lower path, when we will shortly reach Side Farm. Leaving the farm we walk on until we reach the main road which leads us into Glenridding for the coach.

Hopefully we will have time for a drink in the rather nice Inn on the Lake where they have a walkers bar.

C Walk - Brothers Water to Glenridding with Bill Manning

5 miles (8km) with 200ft (61m) Total Ascent

Starting from Sykes farm camp site, we take the farm track down to Hartsop Hall where we bear right to reach the shoreline path of Brothers Water before joining the A592. From here we head for Hart-sop village.

Retracing our steps, we turn right down the lane to Calf Close. Here, we start our climb to Dubhow and Crookabeck and on to Side Farm, where we can stop for refreshments. Leaving here, we meet the A592 taking us to Glenridding for the coaches and cafes.

Come and join me for an extra walk to Lanty's tarn if you wish.

14/10/2021 Thursday Car - Woodplumpton

B Walk - Woodplumpton with Chris Airey

7 miles (11km) with Flat walking

Meet at Hollowforth Lane Wood, near the canal bridge (Sat Nav: PR4 0BD), ready for the usual start time of 10.30am.

No Details Available.

03/10/2021 Sunday Car - Darwen Tower & Tockholes / Catforth

B Walk - Darwen Tower & Tockholes with Dorothy Dobson

7 miles (11km) with 800ft (244m) Total Ascent

Meet at Tockholes Information centre. (Sat Nav: BB3 0PA), ready for the usual start time of 10.30am.

From the car park we climb up a zig-zag path to the Tower then dropping steeply to Sunnyhurst wood. As there are a few seats here it is a good spot to have lunch We then have another short climb to Darwen golf course where we have excellent views of the Tower. After walking along country lanes we descend to Tockholes village (where there are more churches than inhabitants) Emerging from the village we cross a field to enter a plantation and back to the centre.

C Walk - Catforth and Canal with Bob Tognarelli

Meet at Catforth. Parking is available on a rough lay-by on School Lane. (Sat Nav: PR4 0HL Map grid Ref: SD483256), ready for the usual start time of 10.30am.

From the lay-by it's a road walk to Black Pole where we pickup paths across fields to Hollowforth Hall. Possibly a lunch spot if not too early. Then it's on to Moon´s Bridge to take the canal towpath to SwillBrook. We now have a few more small fields and a back lane to walk to get back to the start.

There are stiles to climb but they are in reasonable condition, but some will require more of a stretch to get over than others.

To consider: At time of recce Lea Road was a bit of a mess with road changes for the motorway link, and then the road was closed at the Saddle Inn with diversions in place

19/09/2021 Coach Walk - Dent

8:00 start with 17:30 return

A Walk - Whernside with Graham Hogg

11 miles (17.7km) with 2300ft (700m) Total Ascent

We leave Dent village heading in a south-easterly direction along the Dales Way to Bridge End. From here we follow Dyke Hall Lane for a short distance until joining the Craven Way.

The track climbs steeply at first, passing Birk Pot and Tough Hill but the gradient becomes easier for a while towards “Boot of the Wold”.

At Duncan Sike Head we begin the ascent towards Knoutberry Hill and the summit of Whernside at 736 metres. After a well earned rest and hopefully some fine views across to Ingleborough we descend to the Kingsdale — Deepdale Road.

Thankfully, we have only a short stretch on the road before we descend again to Deepdale Head and then follow easy paths down the valley back to Dent. 

B+ Walk - Great Coum via Crag Hill with Meriel Nutter

10 miles (16km) with 2000ft (610m) Total Ascent

Leaving the coach at Dent

Take the road opposite car park leading to the track up Flinter Gill. Look out for the wishing tree. The barn near the top used to be full of agricultural artefacts but wasn't open when I did the recce. Turn right, west, along the drovers rd for 500m then north through a gate and up an enclosed track which opens out at Blea Rigg. We'll probably have 'bagging' here before following the remaining wall up, very steep at times so don't eat too much, to ridge between Crag Hill and Great Coum.

Those who wish can do a short out and back to the Trig point on Crag Hill, no trig on Great Coum although it's a bit higher. We may have lunch here or just after top of Great Coum. It's East to summit of Great Coum again following a wall, lots of 'handrails' on this walk. Turn south past Gatty pike, a great lunch spot if we can wait. continue down ridge past the County Stone dropping left through potentially boggy and very rough pasture to join the drovers track, Occupation Rd. We can't cross onto it immediately unfortunately so plod through the pasture which is very rough along the wall to the left to a gate where finally we can get on the track continuing to Nun House Outrake where we drop to a minor Rd and the path past Scow which leads to Bridge End and the Dales Way which we follow into Dent.

B Walk - River Wharfe with Dorothy Dobson

7½ miles (12km) with 1100ft (335m) Total Ascent

Welcome back everyone! This is a suitable walk to ease you all in if you haven´t climbed for a while as the first two miles are flat as we follow the banks of the River Wharfe.

We cross a country Lane to take a short incline to Dillicar before continuing to Raw Bank. Here we begin a steady climb along good paths to Combe House before having panoramic views of the Howgills and beyond. After crossing a road we take a wide undulating track for a while to reach Flinters Gill. There is now along descent and care should be taken as there are loose stones and may be slippery, before reaching Dent and the car park straight ahead.

C Walk - Barth Bridge & The Dales Way with Margaret & Bob

6.2 miles (10km) with 415ft (128m) Total Ascent

The walk starts from Dent car park (toilets available). Turning left from the car park we go past the church and take the road across the River Dee before turning left into Hall Lane, the narrow road on the north side of the river. We now walk along the road as far as Low Hall. Leaving the road we climb to High Hall and then follow the path through the fields on a gentle climb, as we admire the view across the valley, on our way to Hacra. Next it's down hill to Hole House where we take the path across the fields to Kitty Barn and onto the road. A very short road walk is needed to pick up the riverside path leading to Ellers. Here we cross the footbridge and follow the Dales Way back to Barth Bridge.

At Barth Bridge we can decide whether to continue on the easier Dales Way riverside path back to Dent. Or take the path which climbs (a bit of effort will be needed) up to Gawthrope, for a slightly longer route across more fields, with good views across the valley, before descending to the road and the final few steps back to the car park. Then it's refreshments time before the trip home.

NB. While the majority of the paths are easily walked and the stiles are in good condition. Some parts of the paths will require more care due to some uneven surfaces and long grass. Hopefully all the long grass will either have been cut or died back by time we do the walk. 

17/11/2021 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.

The walk will commence at the car park at Mere Sands Wood (L40 1TG) then afterwards at the Boathouse at St Mary´s Wharf (L40 1TD).

Please be aware that parking costs £2.

15/09/2021 Stroller - Bretherton

Bretherton with Christine & Bob

A good 3 miles with little climbing, but a few stiles. Country lanes and riverside track.

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

Road side parking on Eyes Lane, near junction of Eyes Lane with Back Lane which is just off Carr House Lane the main road into Bretherton. If one uses grid references then the ref is SD47152033. Nearest post code is PR26 9AS.

After the walk it's a few minutes drive to the Blue Anchor for Lunch. Where it's a fix price buffet lunch with lots of choices and eat as much as you want.