06/03/2022 Coach Walk - Grasmere

8:00 start with 17:30 return

A Walk - Seat Sandal and Fairfield with Dave Colbert

10 miles (16km) with 3500ft (1080m) Total Ascent

Starting from Grasmere, we head through the village to the A591 before taking the footpath from Winterseeds, which climbs alongside Tongue Gill to Grisedale Hause and a short but steep scrabble to the summit of Seat Sandal (737m/2,417ft). It´s then northwards down to the col west of Grisedale Tarn, which we circumvent to north and east before climbing again to Deepdale Hause. The next bit is best as we ascend the steep, rocky ridge to Cofa Pike, the traverse of which is quite airy. From Fairfield (873m/2,865ft), we return to Grasmere over Great Rigg and down the ridge to Stone Arthur.

Please note that weather and/or fell conditions on the day may necessitate an alternative, lower level hike. Various options available include a circuit of Greenburn Bottom over Steel Fell, Calf Crag and Helm Crag, and linear routes from Waterhead over Wansfell and Loughrigg Fell. 

B+ Walk - Silver Howe & Wordsworth Sites with Val Walmsley

8 to 9 miles (12.9 to 15km) with 1220ft (390m) Total Ascent

Leaving Grasmere take path up to Allan Bank, Wordsworth former home, from where commence ascent to Silver Howe, highest point & worthy of good views. Locate path descending through Wyke Plantation to reach Loughrigg Terrace from where pass above Rydal Water under the cave & carry on to Pelter Bridge over the River Rothay. Continue to pick up coffin trail north via Rydal Mount & eventually Dove Cottage, Wordsworth connections, arriving back at Grasmere.

B Walk - Tour of Loughrigg with Judith & Stuart

8½ miles (13.6km) with 900ft (274m) Total Ascent

The walk starts in Grasmere.

From Grasmere we will head up Red Bank road and head for Loughrigg tarn. We will pass round the south side of Loughrigg Fell and Ivy Crag. Along the foothills of the fells we will proceed to Fox Ghyll and along the road parallel to the river Rothay to Rydal. From Rydal we will follow the coffin trail back into Grasmere.

C Walk - Grasmere Circular with Bill Manning & Bob Tognarelli

6 miles (9.7km) with 400ft (118m) Total Ascent

Starting from Grasmere (car park toilets) we make our way passed Dove Cottage on our way to the Coffin Trail, after a brief walk along the trail we leave at White Moss to take the trail down to the A591, crossing over we follow the riverside path to the footbridge on the edge of Grasmere water, crossing the bridge we continue along the water´s edge for some distance before a short climb takes us to Red Bank Road which leads back to Grasmere.

Once at Grasmere we turn left into Langdale Road then left down a track leading to Allan Bank, passing Allan Banks we follow the track to Low Scorecrag, and then downhill through fields to Goody Bridge. Turning left onto Easedale Road we pick up a stone track leading to Langrigg Woodland walk. From Woodland we take the road to Butharlyh Howe. Turning left through the wood and we continue to reach the A591. After crossing we take the lane at the side of the Swan Hotel which leads us to the grounds of Forest Side Hotel, from here its back to the A591. Crossing over we follow the field path leading back to the coach park.

Now it´s time to get a well deserved drink or two, with or without nibbles before going home.

There are cut off points for anyone wishing to shorten the second part of the walk.

20/02/2022 Sunday Car - Walton-Le-Dale and district

C Walk - Walton-Le-Dale with Bill Manning

6 miles (9.7km) with little climbing.

Meet at the footbridge off Hennel Lane, Lostock Hall (Sat Nav: PR5 4LE), ready for the usual start time of 10.30am.

Starting by the footbridge off Hennel Lane we cross the bridge to make our way down to meet the old tram road. After climbing up on to the path by the bridge we turn left to make our way down to Duddle Lane and Station road. Continuing a road walk to school lane before turning left by the NHS centre.

We follow the track down to Higher Walton by the river Darwen to the footbridge. We now follow the roadside path to Chorley road corner and continue to Walton Green, leading us back to the start of the walk. We may call at Holland house garden centre and cafe on Higher Walton Road.

16/02/2022 Stroller - Lytham

The Snowdrop Walk with Bill & 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 Hall, Ballam Road, Lytham (Sat Nav: FY8 4JX), then afterwards at Café in grounds.

10/02/2022 Thursday Car - Cottam & Lea

B Walk - Cottam & Lea with Chris Airey

7 miles (11km) with ?ft (?m) Total Ascent

Meet at The Ancient Oak Pub, Cottam (Sat Nav:PR4 0NZ), ready for the usual start time of 10.30am.

No details available.

06/02/2022 Coach Walk - Sedbergh

8:00 start with 17:30 return

A Walk - The Calf and Winder with Sandra Robinson

12½ miles (20km) with 2500ft (762m) Total Ascent

The walk starts in Sedburgh.

Going up cautley spout and then the calf and down via winder. 

B+ Walk - Winder with Sue Banister

9 miles (14.5km) with 1706ft (520m) Total Ascent

We will get off the coach at Lincolns Inn Bridge a few miles before Sedbergh on the A684 to join the Dales Way heading north.

Passing the Lune viaduct and Hole House we head for Thwaite then the lovely little church of Holy Trinity, Howgill.

At Birkhaw we join a track towards Seat Knott then head south on access land to Craggstones where we drop down through woodland to the road.

After a short stretch along Howgill Lane we start the steady climb up Winder. This is the southernmost hill in the Howgills and one of the smallest but at 1551 ft (473m) is still quite a pull up to the top.

From the summit we head back down to Sedbergh towards Lockbank Farm then Settlebeck Gill.

B Walk - A Wonderful Winter Wander with Chris Cook

7½ miles (12km) with 600ft (183m) Undulating

From the coach park a steady climb up Howgill Lane then taking footpath to Underwinder, then to Slack Lane and onto Low Branthwaite to join The Dalesway. Head south by Lincoln´s Inn bridge to Luneside onto The Oaks. Then heading east to Birks before taking a path by school grounds and back to centre of Sedbergh.

HAPPY DAYS.

C Walk - Sedbergh Serendipity with Bill Manning

6 miles (9.7km) with 394ft (120m) Total Ascent

Starting from the market car park (Toilets), we proceed up Howgill Lane via the school grounds. Walking up the lane for about 1 mile, we drop down through fields to Underwinder, continuing along the lane to meet the A684. Turning right, we follow the road before shortly turning left to take the lane to Luneside Farm where we cross over fields to reach the River Lune Path.

Here we may have lunch before continuing up through field paths to High Oaks to join the A683 and the Cumbria Way alongside the River Rawthey. Following the paths we climb over the railway bank and continue to Birks House before following the paths up to the coaches and cafes in Sedbergh.

23/01/2022 Sunday Car - Scorton / Rufford

B Walk - Scorton with Chris Cook

7½ miles (12km) with 800ft (244m) Total Ascent

Park at the toilets (now 30p), Scorton (Sat Nav: PR3 1BL), ready for the usual start time of 10.30am.

Proceed up Tithe Barn Lane, crossing fields to Peddar´s Wood and Burn´s Farm. Carry on to Barn Acre Moor and then to the road. Follow the road to Grizedale Bridge Bridge and on through Grizedale Wood. Then over Nicky Nook if the weather is favourable.

HAPPY DAYS.

C Walk - Rufford to Croston and return with Jean Gabbatt

6 miles (9.7km) with easy walking

Meet at St Mary the Virgin CE Church in Church Rd, Rufford (Sat Nav: L40 1TD. Grid Ref: GR: SD464156), ready for the usual start time of 10.30am.

We will cross the Preston/Ormskirk railway line and proceed along Meadow Lane, taking a footpath over fields and along the embankment of New Reed Brook. Reaching Gales Lane we will walk across Mawdesley Moss on a well-defined track. This leads to the outskirts of Croston and then, via a country lane, to the historic heart of the village.

The return route leaves Croston via St Michael´s and All Angels´ CE Church and the old school. Semi-rural lanes lead out into the countryside reaching Moss Lane. At the junction with Sumner´s Lane the route veers right onto a farm track and re-crosses the railway line. We will then walk on to Stephenson´s Lane and follow a drainage ditch and a field footpath to the embankment of the River Douglas. Walking alongside the channel we will reach Meadow Lane and then follow the road back to Rufford church.

19/01/2022 Stroller - Meal at The Arches Embley´s Garden Centre

Meal Only at The Arches Restaurant & Coffee Shop

No walk this month but a meal at The Arches at Embley´s Garden Centre, Liverpool Road, Much Hoole. (Sat Nav: PR4 4RL).

Arrive: 12.15pm for 12.30pm start.

13/01/2022 Thursday Car - Hutton

B Walk - The River Ribble and back with Wilf Turner

7½ miles, Undulating

Meet at Hutton Village Hall (Sat Nav: PR4 5SE), ready for the usual start time of 10.30am.

No details available.

09/01/2022 Coach Walk - Skipton via Gargrave

8:00 start with 16:30 return

A Walk - Noyna Hill & Pinhaw Beacon with Dave Colbert

12 miles (19km) with 1800ft (550m) Total Ascent

This is a genuine Trans-Pennine ‘watershed’ walk starting in the Ribble catchment and finishing in the Aire catchment.

Starting from Foulridge, we begin with a gradual climb to Noyna Hill before heading east to Pike Edge and the Pendle Way at Black Lane Ends. It´s then down into Lowthersdale, crossing the Lancashire – Yorkshire border on the way, passing Raygill to reach The Fold. A further climb takes us to the strangely named Cripple Hole Hill and Pinhaw Beacon, at 388m / 1,273ft the highest point hereabouts. Picking up the Pennine Way for a short distance, we then head for Skipton by way of Tow Top Moor, Ramshaw and Carleton Bridge. 

B+ Walk - Skipton Scury with Meriel Nutter

9 miles (15km) with 1000ft (305m) Total Ascent

Leave the coach at Gargrave. Follow the Penine Way, minor roads and field paths mainly in a northerly direction to Friars Head. Turn right onto a bridle way passing the Giants Graves/ Pillow mounds, then right onto a path to Howson Lapiths and a bridge over Flasby Beck. Take the Dales High Way up Flasby to Sharp Haw and down. In to Skipton.

If the weather is poor or time pressing we will use the path through the woods on the Fell side to Tarn House Farm then join the Dales High Way to Skipton.

B Walk - Scarnber Hill with Dorothy & Chris

8 miles (12.9km) with 800ft (244m) Total Ascent

The walk today starts at Gargrave and passes through some lovely undulating countryside.

We go along Eshton Road to take a footpath through fields to Eshton and on a track that eventually reaches Friars Head. This is a Tudor Manor House and looks very imposing and grand as we approach it. Turning east we climb Scarnber Hill and then descend to the hamlet of Flasby before entering High Wood and later Crag Wood. The woods aren´t dense and have good wide paths which are undulating and gradually drop down to the Grassington Road. Crossing the road here we take a footpath which leads us to Skipton and the coach park.

C Walk - Gargrave to Skipton Canal Walk with Bob Tognarelli

5 miles (9.7km) with very little climbing.

The walk starts from the centre of Gargrave (toilets look to be available on the park). The tourist info says that “Gargrave pulls out all the stops with canal locks, cute cottages, tearooms, pubs and a church” so let´s do a little looking around before starting the walk.

From the main road we will walk along West Street to the canal. Then onto the winding Liverpool and Leeds canal towpath through pleasant countryside all the way to Skipton. Entering Skipton we will continue following the canal, before changing to the springs branch which leads to the Castle, Spring Woods and Eller beck. If time allows we can continue into the Skipton Castle Woods and maybe follow the Eller Beck, before turning back to start enjoying the refreshments on offer in Skipton.

12/12/2021 Coach Walk - Hawkshead via Ambleside

December

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

A Walk - Red Screes round with John Parkinson

9.9 miles (15.9km) with 2800ft (850m) Total Ascent (Assuming Scansdale Pass descent)

To maximise walking time during winter daylight we´ll be dropping off at Ambleside and walking through the village to climb the ridge route ascending past Flesh Crags and Snarker Moss to the top of Red Screes at 776m.

From there we´ll make the short descent to Middle Dodd along Smallthwaite Band to take in the views over Brothers water and Place Fell. We then track across to Broad Crag and take the long descent down the Scandale Pass though the valley and back to Ambleside.

As an alternative to the Scansdale Pass descent, if conditions are good and progress rapid, there will be an option to ascend Black Brow and follow the east ridge of the Fairfield horseshoe across High Pike and Low Pike before descending to Ambleside. 

B+ Walk - Ambleside to Hawkshead via Loughrigg Fell with Dave Colbert

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

Due to Dave Thornton not being available, Dave Colbert has stepped in to lead this walk.

There is significant damage to woodland in the original proposed walking area caused by Storm Arwen, so a different walk will be substituted as opposed to the write up in Footprints.

B Walk - Blelham Tarn to Wray Castle with Chris Cook

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

This is a lovely ramble from Hawkshead to Hawkshead taking in lakeland scenery.

Heading north we pass Craggwood and Hole House going left of Blelham Tarn and onto to the splendid Wray Castle. Still heading North we pass Spica Coppice heading towards the village of Outgate and onto Knipe Fold crossing fields to Skinner Lane and back to Hawkshead.

HAPPY DAYS

C Walk - Here and There around Ambleside with Bill & Bob

6 miles (9.7km) with 150ft (46m) Total Ascent

The walk starts from Waterhead, Ambleside (toilets available).

From here, we follow the roadside path to the Roman site, passing through, before we reach are that Bridge. We then take the riverside lane to Rothay park. Keeping left over the bridge, we follow the track to the A591. We turn left here and take the roadside path to enter the grounds of Rydal Hall. Reaching the hall, we will have a short stop before leaving to make our way down to the Badger Hotel.

We cross the road to pass through the wood where we turn left to head for Pelter Bridge. We now walk along the lane by the river Rothay and back to pass through the park. Here we can make our way to Hayes Garden centre before meeting the coach at Waterhead.