05/02/2023 Coach Walk - Hawkshead

8:00 start with 17:30 return

A Walk - Loughrigg Fell and Hodge Close with Graham Hogg

11 miles (17.5 km) with 2300ft (700m) Total Ascent

From Ambleside Rugby Club (A5075) we cross the River Rothay and head on a quiet lane to Brow Head Farm before making towards the summit of Loughrigg Fell 1099ft (335m).

From the summit we´ll descend steeply to Loughrigg Tarn and then head on back roads to Skelwith Bridge to pick up the Cumbria Way footpath, following this until reaching Stang End.

Heading south towards Hodge Close there is a little known but interesting diversion that we can take into Parrock Quarry. Taking a careful line of descent down to the quarry floor we are suddenly confronted by two huge openings in the quarry face ahead of us. These lead through into the neighbouring Hodge Close quarry and present us with the opportunity to explore the industrial archaeology and the grandeur of Hodge Close from a different perspective than usual.

We retrace our steps through and out of Parrock quarry and head east over High Oxen Fell to the A593. From here we head to Tarn Hows and then quiet lanes to Hawkshead and the coach.

B+ Walk - Hodge Close & High Arnside with Val Walmsley

10 miles (16km) with 900ft (274m) Total Ascent

From Skelwith Bridge we take the Cumbria Way west to High Park, Stang End and then turn south to Hodge Close Quarry which now has flooded workings with a depth 300feet, so no diving please. We now turn East to High Arnside for views of the nearby fells before returning to the Cumbria Way to resume our walk to Tarn Hows circuit, we then head south east to Knipe Fold to follow paths to Hawkshead Hill, Keen Ground and Walker Ground on our way back into Hawkshead.

B Walk - Far Sawrey via the Heald with Stuart Arnold

9 miles (15km) with 1,150ft (351m) Total Ascent

From Hawkshead we cross fields to Loanthwaite Lane and on to climb Latterbarrow with fine views of the area. We then head easterly towards Belle Grange but turn southerly before the descent to go over the Heald to Far Sawrey. From here we take the path passed Moss Eccles Tarn and Wise Een Tarn and on to Guide Post 10 before making our way back to Hawkshead via Colthouse.

If conditions are bad an alternative walk will have to be implemented.

C Walk - Tarn Hows with Judith Kirby

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

This is a circular valley walk through woods and open countryside with some stunning views of the central fells with the added attraction of the beautiful area around Tarn Hows.

22/01/2023 Sunday Car - Ribble Estuary

B Walk - Exploring the Ribble estuary and the West Lancashire flatlands with Jean Gabbatt

5-6 miles (8-10km) with no ascents other than the embankment.

Meet at Roadside parking opposite All Saints' CE Primary School, Hesketh-with-Becconsall (Sat Nav: PR4 6RD)

Walking back towards Tarleton we will turn almost immediately left onto Guide Rd and half-way down this thoroughfare, veer off onto a track between the fields. This takes us to Dib Rd, the location of the RSPB viewpoint at Hesketh-out-Marsh. We will climb the embankment and follow it to the right for some miles with views across the river and towards Preston and inland ´peaks´. The path sweeps right at the confluence of the Douglas with the Ribble and we will continue as far as the track to Marsh Farm and Lane. This road will take us back to Shore Rd and our parked vehicles.

18/01/2023 Stroller - Rams Head Longton

Meal Only at Rams Head Longton

No walk this month but a meal at Rams Head Longton, 67 Liverpool Rd, Longton, Preston (Sat Nav: PR4 5HA). Arrive 12:15 for 12:30 for start.

12/01/2023Thursday Walk - Fulwood

B Walk - Fulwood circular with Chris Airey

Meet Moor Park car park, Sir Tom Finney Way, Preston - opposite preston north end (Sat Nav: PR1 6RU)

No details available.

08/01/2023 Coach - Ingleton & Clapham

8:00 start with 16:30 return

A Walk - Ingleborough Mystery Tour with Sandra Robinson

11½ miles (18.5km) with 2,926ft (892m) Total Ascent

The walk will start and end in Ingleton. A delightful hike in this beautiful area. 

B+ Walk - Moughton Scars with Sue Banister

10 miles (16km) with 1500ft (457m) Total Ascent

Todays walk starts and finishes in Clapham. We will head east on the Pennine Bridleway then north past Sowerthwaite Farm and Hunterstye to Moughton Whetstone Hole.

We then follow the path along Moughton Scars and Thieves Moss before heading west to Nick Pot. It´s then south to Long Scar and back down to Clapham along the beck and through the woods.

B Walk - Clapham with Chris Cook

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

Don´t Miss the opportunity to take part in this fantastic walk.

HAPPY DAYS.

C Walk - Clapdale with Dorothy Dobson

5¾miles (9.2km) with 650ft (198m) Total Ascent

From the car park (Toilets - free!) we cross Clapham Beck by an ancient packhorse bridge and walk by a picturesque man made waterfall which flows into the beck.

Leaving the village we head north on a stony track, a gentle incline, for one and a half miles to Clapdale. Here the path takes us through a farmyard where we descend a rough but short steep path which can be a bit tricky in parts, so we will take it slowly to reach the road and a footbridge.

After crossing the bridge we have a short muddy path to climb (This is the only really muddy part of the walk!) to reach Long Lane. Turning south we walk for a good mile along an undulating wide path before reaching Thwaites Lane. As we walk these lanes we are now in open countryside with extensive views all around.

Along the lane we take a stile into a field and walk for about half a mile to view the Norbert Erratics before retracing our steps to Thwaites Lane and on through the tunnels at Clapham.

11/12/2022 Coach Walk - Windermere via Ambleside

December

8:00 Start with 16:30 (5:30pm) Return

Please Note

The coach will be parking in Ambleside, usually in the car park on the right hand side just past Hays Garden Centre as you head into Ambleside, or failing that, at Waterhead, which is at the head of the lake and a bit further out. The coach will leave Ambleside at 4:30pm. Arrival time should be circa 10:30 with a clear run.

A Walk - Winter Warmer with John Parkinson

9.8 miles (15.8km) with 3350ft (1028m) Total Ascent

Leaving Ambleside opposite the Golden Rule we walk past the University of Cumbria´s local campus, the only university campus in the U.K. located in a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Reaching Nook End Farm we start the ascent to Low Pike and then onto High Pike on the right hand side of the Fairfield Horseshoe.

Continuing on the ridge and before Dove Cragg we head off the horseshoe over Bakestones Moss and Black Brow down to the Scandale Pass. From there we take the short, steep ascent to the cairn at Red Screes before starting our descent through Raven Cragg and Snarker Pike back to Ambleside. 

B+ Walk - Troutbeck Meander with Val Walmsley

9.6miles (15.4km) with 1166ft (355m) Total Ascent

Starting in Windermere take A591 for short way to pick up path to The Common. From here we walk on field paths to Near Orrest & Moorhowe Road than onto Dubbs Road for a 2mile stretch to Limefitt Park.

At Troutbeck we cross the A592 & join a path to Nanny Lane. We leave by the Wansfell Pike path to take one down to search for a waterfall & once found use Hundred Ends Road to Robin Lane. Following this lane all way back to Ambleside passing High Skelghyll & Skelghyll Wood, sunlit all the way!!

B Walk - Winderemere to Ambleside with Barbara & Alan Gilbert

We start from Windermere Station (toilets inside Booths) making our way up Orrest Head with spectacular views over Lake Windermere. This is where Alfred Wainwright had his epiphany after coming from a smokey mill town.

We then descend towards Causeway Farm and onto Far Orrest below Allen Crag before reaching the village of Troutbeck.

We make our way up Robin Lane to High Skelghyll Farm before entering Skellghyll Wood. If there is time we may climb up to Jenkin Crag and finally descending into Ambleside hopefully in time for some refreshments.

C Walk - Rydal Water & The Coffin Trail with Dorothy Dobson

We leave the coach in Ambleside to make our way across the park to the footbridge over the River Rothay. We follow the road by the river all the way to Pelters Bridge. From here we go to Rydal Water and take a footpath round the lake to reach the car park by A591 road. We cross this road to take a short but steep climb to join the Coffin route (Path from Grasmere to Rydal).

We follow the path in a southerly direction to reach Rydal Hall where we take the footpath through Rydal Park to Scandale Bridge to rejoin the A591 which leads us back to Ambleside.

If the conditions underfoot are unfavourable we will take the same route omitting Ryal Water, cross the main road at Pelters Bridge, climb the hill to Rydal Hall and continue as before. Apart from one steep hill the climbing is minimal.

08/12/2022 Thursday Car - Silverdale

B Walk - Eaves Wood with Stuart & Judith

7½ miles (12km) with 400ft (122m) Total Ascent

Meet at Eaves Wood, Silverdale (Sat Nav: LA5 0UQ. Grid Ref:SD471759), ready for the usual start time of 10.30am.

We will walk through the wood initially to the “Pepperpot„ then down to the sea front with a view of the cave and the expanse of Morecambe bay and across the green into Silverdale.

We will leave the village and head to Woodwell then past Lindeth tower and on to Jack Scout and the Giant´s chair for a coffee break. With the ocean on our right we pass round Jenny Brown´s point past Heald Brow and to the road leading us to Silverdale railway station and across the golf course. On our way back to the start we pass through Silverdale Green and pass by Hagg Wood.

07/12/2022 Stroller - Christmas Lunch

Christmas Lunch at The Farmers Arms

No walk this month.

Christmas meal at The Farmers Arms, Wham Ln, Whitestake, Preston (Sat Nav: PR4 4JS).

Meet 12:15am for 12:30pm.

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.