16/11/2022 Stroller - Mere Sands

Mere Sands woodland wander 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 on Car Park at Hesketh Arms (toilets will be open), 81 Liverpool Rd, Rufford (Sat Nav:L40 1SB), then afterwards at Hesketh Arms.

The walk involves road, footpaths, then woodland track around the woods and back to the Hesketh Arms.

13/11/2022 Coach - Haworth via Hebden Bridge

November

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

A Walk - Black Hameldon & High Withins (Return to Dick Delf Hill) with Dave Colbert

13½ miles (22km) with 2,300ft (700m) Total Ascent

On our last visit to Haworth in January 2015, debate raged in ‘Footprints’ as to just who Dick Delf was to have a hill named after him. Why this was so remained unresolved, but a recent investigation by Professor Bewaldeth from the University of Snittlegarth suggests that Dick Delf was a pseudonym used by Bog Myrtle, an 11th century Yorkshire herbalist from Heckmondwike who wrote a seminal paper on the frustrations of searching for moorland flora and fauna in the West Riding under the title ‘Withering Lows’. Whether this is just another example of ‘Fake News’ is anyone’s guess, and as before, by the end of this hike you will still be none the wiser.

We start just over the border in Cornholme and traverse Black Hameldon, at 479m/1,573ft the highest part of today’s walk, eventually reaching the Pennine Bridleway near the dramatic Gorple Stones. This takes us eastwards past Widdop Reservoir to Clough Foot where we join the Pennine Way proper and chase the ‘B+’ Party over the moors all the way to Haworth!

B+ Walk - Out on the Wiley, Windy Moors with Sue Banister

10 miles (16km) with 1328ft (405m) Total Ascent

We get off the coach at Pecket Well, a mile north of Hebden Bridge, and head west on a downhill stretch of bridleway to New Bridge from where we follow Hebden Water through Hebden Dale to Hardcastle Crags and Walshaw Wood.

We then have a short sharp climb out of the dale and up to the beautiful Walshaw Lodge. From here the climb becomes more gradual over Wadsworth Moor then down to Walshaw Dean Middle Reservoir.

We now join the Pennine Way and follow it over Dick Delf Hill, and on past Withins and Scar Hill. Shortly after Upper Heights we leave the Pennine Way and drop down to the Bronte waterfalls.

We then follow the Brontë Way to Haworth via Penistone Hill Country Park.

B Walk - Brontë Way with Dorothy Dobson

7½ miles (12km) with 600ft (183m) Total Ascent

Except for better paths, I guess little has changed on the moors since the Brontë sisters walked over them almost two hundred years ago.

We start the walk from the Parsonage and with Penistone Hill on our left, we soon reach the Brontë Way. The path is good most of the time, but is a bit tricky as we approach the waterfall. As we leave the fall the path levels out and is good walking for the rest of the way. Our highest point is Top Withins (reputedly the inspiration for Wuthering Heights) and from here we turn northwest to join the Pennine Way for two miles and leave it before reaching the moorland village of Stanbury. Going on past Lower Laithe reservoir we have a gradual climb back to Haworth.

C Walk - The Railway Children Walk with Tony Ingham

5½ miles (8.8km) with 550ft (168m) Total Ascent

This walk takes in a number of buildings and places featured in the 1970 film.

Starting from the town centre we head north to Oakworth Station which is the station used for the film. After passing Perks´s cottage we turn to come south to reach Haworth Station and I will point out various other points of interest from the film on the way, although some have been affected by new housing. We will have lunch either on the platform or in the waiting room at the station.

The Keighley and Worth Valley Railway volunteer on duty when I reccied the walk said that would be OK. We then continue south on tracks and through fields before crossing the railway and climbing steeply up to the house where the railway children lived. We then start to go north again passing the hamlet of Hole and coming out into Haworth churchyard. Going through the church grounds brings us into the town centre with its gift shops, cafes and pubs.

10/11/2022 Thursday Car - Lytham

B Walk - Lytham with Sheila & Norah

7½ miles (12km) with easy walking.

Meet at Lytham Wind Mill (Sat Nav: FY8 5LD), ready for the usual start time of 10.30am.

The walk takes you along the Promenade and then after a little road walking out along the embankment from where you overlook the Ribble Marshes. The return is made across pastures and along quiet lanes and back to Lytham.

30/10/2022 Sunday Car - Hoghton & Samlesbury Bottoms

B Walk - Hoghton & Samlesbury Bottoms with Dorothy Dobson

Park far end Chapel Lane immediately after Boars Head, Hoghton (Sat Nav: PR5 0RX), ready for the usual start time of 10.30am.

We take a track to Bolton Hall, then through fields to walk by River Darren to reach Samlesbury Bottoms. After a short steep climb we reach the Nabs Head. We then go down Further Lane before heading south passing Woodfield Hall, again through fields to an old track. We descend into a wood where another steep climb leads us to the Witton Weavers Way at Close Farm, to arrive at Hoghton Bottoms. Another steep hill and back to Chapel Lane.

19/10/2022 Stroller - Cottam

Cottam with Bob Tognarelli

Nearly 3 miles with no Climbing but a few gates to negotiate.

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

Meet on the car park of the Ancient Oak Pub, (Sat Nav: PR4 0NZ) on Merrytrees Lane, Cottam, off Tom Benson Way, then afterwards at the Ancient Oak Pub.

The Pub does not open until 11am so we may not have toilets available at start of walk. Crossing a footbridge we pick up the path through the green spaces, leading down to the to the canal and the Whistle Stop Cafe. We continue along the path next to the canal up to the new housing estates. Here we turn away from the canal to follow the many meandering paths back to Merrytrees Lane. Now to find and follow the Guild wheel for a short distance before turning left along a tree line path which takes us back to the start.

Refreshments will be in the Ancient Oak Pub.

16/10/2022 Coach - Coniston via Tover

8:00 start with 17:30 return

A Walk - Dow Crag and Coniston Old Man with Graham Hogg

11 miles (17.5km) with 3400ft (1030m) Total Ascent

Today affords us the opportunity for a fine high level ridge walk across the Coniston Fells (provided we are fortunate enough to avoid an encounter with prevailing south westerly gale force winds on Dow Crag - some of you may remember this experience from a previous A walk with this club!).

From Torver we will climb to join the Walna Scar Road and follow this to Brown Pike and Buck Pike before reaching the summit of Dow Crag (778m).

From here a quick descent to Goats Hawse is followed by an immediate climb up to Coniston Old Man at 803m. Weather permitting, we will walk the ridge north to Swirl How, descend the Prison Band and return to Coniston via Levers Water and the Coppermines Valley. 

B+ Walk - Blawith Fells with Meriel Nutter

11 miles (17.7km) with 1000ft (305m) Total Ascent

Leave the coach at Torver. Take a minor road south westerly for about 2 miles to Haveriggholme at the road end. The terrain is now a mixture of good paths and rough, potentially boggy areas. Continue south on a track taking the left fork onto a bridleway to DryHaw Wood. Just after fording a small stream go left onto a path south east for a short distance continuing right onto another bridleway.

Just before another ford take a path cut through the bracken ascending to the col between Coulter Stone and Wool Knott then descending to Beacon Tarn, watch out for wild swimmers! Turn North alongside the tarn onto the Cumbria way which we follow all the way to the lake and into Coniston.

B Walk - Walna Scar Road with Stuart Arnold

8 miles (12.9km) with 1150ft (362m) Total Ascent

From the car park in Coniston we make a slow leisurely ascent up Church Beck towards Crowberry Haws. We then take the path between Stubthwaite Crag and the Bell to Walna Scar Road, which we follow for about a mile.

On leaving Walna Scar Road we make a gradual descent alongside Torver Beck via some disused quarries to Crook. After crossing the A593 we walk towards Brackenbarrow Farm and then through Torver Common Wood to Hoathwaite Landing to join the Cumbria way and make our way back to Coniston along the side of the lake.

C Walk - Torver and Back with Judith Kirby

Starting from Coniston we make our way to Haws Bank on the A593. From this point we break off south west and follow well marked tracks that take us gradually up hill towards Torver Beck. During this part of the walk we are afforded fine views of Coniston water. In due course we arrive at Torver Beck having completed all our climbing for the day. We now commence our descent, initially along the side of Torver Beck eventually moving away from the Beck to emerge once again on the A593 at Little Arrow.

A short walk along the disused railway takes us to the path that leads through Torver Common Wood and down to Coniston Water. Our walk continues alongside the lake, eventually returning to the finish at Coniston.

13/10/2022 Thursday Car - Dolphinholme

B Walk - Dolphinholme with Dorothy Dobson

7½ miles (11km) with minimal climbing.

Meet at Village Hall, Dolphinholme (Sat Nav: LA2 9AJ), ready for the usual start time of 10.30am.

From the car park we walk down to the village before taking a wooded path to Corless Mill. We cross the River Wyre and continue along the road for a while to pass through the tiny hamlet of Street.

Climbing a tad we pass Bracken Lea and Lane Head. Soon we hope to have good views of Morecambe Bay, Black Combe and beyond. After reaching Swainshead Hall we descend to the river to pick up the Wyre Way to walk through fields to arrive back in Dolphinholme.

02/10/2022 Sunday Car - Bilsborrow / Crook of Lune

B Walk - Bilsborrow with Sheila Marsh & Norah Boyle

7½ miles (12km) with no climbing

Meet at Guys Thatched Hamlet, Bilsborrow (Sat Nav: PR3 0RS), ready for the usual start time of 10.30am.

Park near to the cricket pitches (away from the buildings).

This walk is on the canal towpath and farm fields, but it can be muddy!

C Walk - Crook of Lune with Roy Smith

5½ miles (8.9km) with Minimal Ascent

Meet at the car park at the Crook of Lune, Low Road, Halton (Sat Nav: LA2 9HU), ready for the usual start time of 10.30am.

Starting our walk from the car park we follow the disused railway line towards Caton. Beyond Ellers Farm we leave the disused line and follow farm track and field track along the side of the River Lune until we get to the Waterworks bridge, which we cross to make our way through woodland, towards Halton Green. We now follow again the River Lune, passing the hydroelectricity pumping station, until we reach Halton. At Halton we cross back over the River Lune and follow the track of the disused railway, the Lune Valley Ramble, back to our starting point.

22/08/2022 Stroller - Squire Andertons Wood

Squire Andertons Wood with Bill & Marie

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

Meet at car park behind Anderton Arms (Tesco), Longsands Lane, Fulwood, Preston (Sat Nav: PR2 9PS), then afterwards at the Anderton Arms.

18/09/2022 Coach Walk - Keswick & Braithwaite

September

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

A Walk - Grisdale Pike & Crag Hill with Dave Colbert

9½ miles (15km) with 4,130ft (1,260m) Total Ascent

Two steep-sided, parallel ridges extend westward from the Newlands valley to Lorton Vale, Grisedale Pike lying towards the eastern end of the northern and Crag Hill towards the western end of the southern. Joined at the broad col of Coledale Hause, they surround the glacial valley of Coledale Beck to the south-west of Braithwaite, the high level circuit of which is one of the classic hikes in the Lake District. On all previous occasions, we have walked the route clockwise, so just for something completely different, today we will walk it anti-clockwise!

Starting from Braithwaite, a lengthy climb by way of Kinn and Sleet How takes us up to Grisedale Pike (791m/2,595ft), from where we traverse the undulating ridge to Hopegill Head (770m/2,525ft), arguably the finest ‘Wainwright’ on this walk and certainly the sharpest. It´s then down to Coledale Hause over the minor top of Sand Hill and up again to Crag Hill, at 839m/2,753ft our highest fell of the day. A narrow and exposed traverse to Sail precedes a long descent to High Moss, from where we will ascend Outerside (568m/1,863ft) before descending back to Braithwaite from the minor top of Stile End (not a ‘Wainwright’).

Please note that weather conditions (strong winds and/or heavy rain) on the day may necessitate an alternative, lower level hike. 

B+ Walk - Cat Bells with Dave Thornton

9½ miles (15.3km) with 1400ft (427m) Total Ascent

Cat Bells has been climbed many times over the years by members of the club. It offers some excellent views of the Lake District.

Starting from Braithwaite we follow Newlands Beck south to Ghyll Bank, then passing Skelgill on to Hawes End from where we start the main climbing of the day. From here we ascend Skelgill Bank (1148ft / 350m), where we level out for a while before ascending Cat Bells at (1476ft / 450m). From here we can see the length of Derwent Water to Keswick and beyond, with Bassenthwaite Lake and Skiddaw in the background.

We descend from Cat Bells down Hause Gate to Manesty Park at the southern end of Derwent Water. Turning North, we join the Allerdale Ramble track (Cumbria Way) which follows Derwent Water back to Hawes End, through Fawe Park to Portinscale. From here we will turn east into Keswick where we will be picked up by the coaches.

B Walk - Cumbria Way & Blease Fell with Dorothy Dobson

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

I led this walk a few years ago and I think it merits a return visit as the scenery is slmply breathtaking.

We leave the coach on the A66 road at Threlkeld and walk in a westward direction, passing through the hamlet of Wescoe before heading north through fields to the Blencathra Centre. Here we join a good wide path walking along a valley between Lonsdale Fell And Blease Fell, before reaching the Cumbria Way. We now turn south on yet another good path on its undulating route into Keswick for refreshments before returning to the coach.

C Walk - Braithwaite to Keswick with Sylvia Rymer & Barbara Malloy

6½ miles (10.4km) with 263ft (80m) Total Ascent

Leaving Braithwaite in a SE direction towards Little Braithwaite we join the riverside footpath by Newlands Beck which leads us to Stair. We continue down to Rowling End Farm and cross over the beck towards Ghyll Bank. We follow the footpath to Skelgill and then walk by the side of Cat Bells to join the Cumbria Way.

The Cumbria Way takes us up to Keswick but we will make a detour to Lingholm and Nichol End.