11/05/2023 Thursday Car - Tarleton

B Walk - Tarleton with Barbara Gilbert

6½ miles (10.5km) with flat walking

Meet at Car Park back of Spa (Sat Nav: PR4 6TU), ready for the usual start time of 10.30am.

No details available.

30/04/2023 Coach Walk - Llangollen

April

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

A Walk - Eglwyseg & Moel y Gamelin with Dave Colbert

13½miles (22km) with 3,450ft (1,050m) Total Ascent

Starting from the centre of Llangollen, we cross the Afon Dyfrdwy and storm the hill fort of Castell Dinas Bran. A trail that purports to follow the dyke built by some ancient bloke called Offa (although Professor Bewaldeth from the University of Snittlegarth begs to differ) will then take us north below the tremendous limestone ramparts of Creigiau Eglwyseg (the Dales has nothing on this scale) to Plas yn Eglwyseg, where the long climb to Bwlch Oernant (Horseshoe Pass) begins; beware of bikers at the summit.

At 577m / 1,893ft Moel y Gamelin is the highest point on Maesyrychen Mountain, itself the highest of the Bryniau Clwyd. The leisurely descent to Rhewl precedes a short climb to Llandynan to avoid too much tarmac bashing. We then return to Llangollen along the canal towpath from Berwyn, although for a fee you could catch a steam train. Mwynhau!! 

B+ Walk - Castle & Canal with Stuart Arnold

13 miles (20.9km) with 1070ft (326m) Total Ascent

We leave Llangollen along the canal and by the river Dee as far as Valle Crucis abbey (Valley of the cross), near to Eliseg´s Pillar, a 9th century medieval cross. We then join the Clwydian Way southwards to Castle Dina´s Bran. This medieval castle sits on the site of an Iron Age hill fort with great views from the top.

We then press onwards to Offah´s Dyke path in a south easterly direction on a panoramic walk through Trevor Hall Wood to Trevor where we cross the river Dee with a view of the aqueduct above and to the left. When we reach Froncysyllte we cross the canal and return on the dramatic aqueduct 1000ft long and 226ft above the river Dee. We join the Llangollen canal back to our starting point.

The aqueduct is one I have long wanted to see and walk across and I hope you will all enjoy the experience.

B Walk - Canal, Abbey & Castle. with Alan & Barbara Gilbert

8 miles (12.87km) with 1300ft (396m) Total Ascent

Leaving Llangollen we cross the bridge spanning the river Dee heading towards the Llangollen Canal. Here we turn left making our way to Horseshoe Falls. We then take a path to Llantysilio Church (with an option to have a look inside the church). We then make our way signposted to Velvet Hill, which we skirt before dropping to the road and Vale Crucis Abbey where we can stop for lunch (there are toilets here). Passing through a Caravan Park by the Abbey to cross a bridge and up a flight of steps to continue along a track before climbing up to the 13th Century ruin of Castell Dinas Bran with spectacular views. After descending back to a signpost which takes us back into Llangollen for some well earned refreshments.

C Walk - Meet the boys Hercules, Harley & Tobias with Joe Brennand

6 miles (9.7km) with 475ft (145m) Total Ascent

From the coach we walk to the wharf then take the canal tow path to Pentrefelin, then onto the remains of valle Cruise abbey and onwards to abbey cottage. Following the historic trail to Bryn Hyfryd we join the Offa´s dyke path pasting Tan-y-Castell before going round the hill of Castell Dinas and back to the wharf were we will meet the boys?

There is a cafè and a nice cream tea is available, also teas and coffees, or just a walk round the shops - approx 6 Miles

19/04/2023 Stroller - Rivington

Rivington and Yarrow Reservoir 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.

Meet at the Rivington Café car park (Sat Nav: BL6 7SE), then afterwards at at the Café, Horrobin Ln, Rivington, Bolton. Map grid reference: SD625144 .

Please Note: This is NOT the Great House Barn café but the Rivinton Café opposite the school in Rivington village.

Walk distance: 3 miles with very little climbing.

Starting our walk from the café we walk along a track at the easterly side of the Upper Rivington Reservoir. The track eventually leads us to the Yarrow Reservoir and a minor road which we now take downhill to Anglezarke Reservoir. From here we now take the track along the westerly side of the Upper Rivington Reservoir back to Horrobin Lane. A short walk along the lane gets us back to our start point.

16/04/2023 Sunday var - Brinscall

B Walk - Brinscall with Dorothy Dobson

6½ to 7 miles (10.5 to 11km) with mainly flat walking

Meet at Brinscall Baths(Sat Nav: PR6 8QU), ready for the usual start time of 10.30am.

Apart from two short steepish climbs it is relatively flat and an enyoyable walk!

From Brinscall we walk for about a mile through a nature reserve before eventually reaching the A675 north of Abbey Village. Still in the same direction we follow the path to then head south into a wood which I hope will be covered in bluebells! Then through fields and a good track to reach Hare and Hounds where we have splendid tracks to the reservoir. Depending on the weather the walk can be cut short here otherwise we go round the reservoir and back through Abbey Village to retrace our steps to Brinscall.

13/04/2023 Thursday Car - Ribchester

B Walk - A walk through history around Dinckley with Dorothy Dobson

 7½miles (12km) with little climbing.

Meet: From A59 crossroads (traffic lights) turn left towards Ribchester on B6245, the Car park (no post code) is on the left almost at bottom of hill, ready for the usual start time of 10.30am.

During this walk we pass three beautiful Elizabethan Manor Houses.

We head up the road to go in fields to Bolton Hall then to Park Gate to reach A59. After 100 yards we turn north west through fields to Dinckley Grange. Here we do a stint of road walking down country lanes to reach Aspinalls, where we head north to take a path towards Dinckley Hall. We reach a wooded path by the River Ribble and continue along it for about a mile all the way to Salesbury Hall. From here it is once more road walking to Ribchester Bridge and pass the last Manor House, New Hall, before reaching the car park.

02/04/2023 Coach Walk - Keswick via Thirlmere

8:00 start with 17:30 return

A Walk - Springtime Scramble with John Parkinson

11.9 miles (19.2km) with 2857ft (871m) Total Ascent

We start the walk on the A591 at The Kings Head at Thirlspot leaving behind the Thirlmere reservoir which helps slakes Mancunian thirst via 83 miles of engineering wonder.

An early scramble over Brown Crag will warm us up as we head for the summit of Whiteside. Turning north along the Helvellyn ridge we ascend Raise before descending down to Sticks Pass and a trio of Dodds. These undulating hills, formed of volcanic rock 450 million years ago, we tick off in turn - first Styborrow Dodd, next out to Watson´s Dodd, then the final ascent to Great Dodd. From there we descend across Matterdale Common, briefly joining the Old Coach Road before heading north again to finish at Scales where we await the coach from Keswick.

B+ Walk - Stile End summit 447m (1467ft) via Braithwaite village with Stan Park

11 miles (17.7km) with 800ft (244m) Total Ascent

At the summit of Stile End, you are rewarded with stunning 360 degree views of the north-western Lakes. The ascent starts from the lovely village of Braithwaite, a steady climb but fairly steep in parts. The path to Braithwaite, via Portinscale, is a pleasant trail through countryside.

B Walk - High Rigg & the Stone Circle with Stuart Arnold

 8 miles (12.9km) with 1250ft (381m) Total Ascent

We will start the walk at Legbuthwaite on the A591.

We start climbing immediately to Wren Cragg and on to Yew Cragg. From here it is a fairly comfortable undulating path to High Rigg. We then take a nice grassy path down to the Youth Centre at St John´s in the Vale.

We will then visit the Stone Circle before making our way back to Keswick for a well earned beer or cup of tea.

C Walk - Keswick and Castlerigg Stone Circle with Barbara Gilbert & Jan Atkins

5-6 miles (8-9.7km) with 400ft (122m) Total Ascent

The walk starts in Keswick where we cross over the river Greta via a bridge between Upper and Lower Fitz Park and then along part of the railway path and leaving it to continue upwards towards Castlerigg Stone Circle where there are 360 degrees views. Along a track crossing A591 to enter fields before entering woods where there are views of Walla Cragg and Derwent water.

We may add a small addition to the walk time allowing which I think we will have and then returning to Keswick for a much needed cuppa.

19/03/2023 Sunday Car - Longridge

B Walk - Quarries, Railways and Reservoirs with Tony Ingham

6 miles (9.6km) with 500ft (152m) Total Ascent

Meet at Longridge Civic Hall (Sat Nav: PR3 3HJ ), ready for the usual start time of 10.30am.

The walk passes five of the seven reservoirs in Longridge and the Tootle Heights and Lords Quarries. It also follows part of the quarry railways and the Longridge - Preston line.

Leaving the Civic Hall we make our way to Lords Quarry through Willows Park and along the railway embankment. Next we take in Lords Lane, Chipping Road, Croft Farm, Halfpenny Lane and Green Nook Lane before crossing the track bed of the Longridge-Preston Line to reach Mardale Playing Fields. From there we proceed to Daniels Farm, Preston Road and Pinfold Lane to reach Alston 3 Reservoir (disused, now a nature reserve with viewing areas) before walking between Alston 1 and Alston 2 Reservoirs.

We then pass Higher College Farm to get to Spade Mill 1 and Spade Mill 2 Reservoirs and climb up alongside them to Tootle Heights Quarry. We then drop down to the tunnel under Higher Road which gave rail access to the quarry. From there it is back through Willows Park to the Civic Hall.

15/03/2023 Stroller - Ashton Park

Ashton Park with Bob Tognarelli

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 on Pedders Lane (Signed posted), Ashton-on-Ribble (Sat Nav: PR2 1HL), then afterwards at the Ribble Pilot on the docks (Sat Nav: PR2 2YN).

We will walk around the Hall then keeping to the middle of the park, head towards Larches Wood. Now we walk the streets to get to the green fields over looking Riversway. A quick tour around the fields then we retrace our steps back to Ashton Park and the cars. Then it´s on to the Ribble Pilot and lunch.

Some parts of the walk are expected to be muddy, since it March, so good footwear is advised.

09/03/2023 Thursday Car - Goosnargh and Barton

B Walk - Goosnargh and Barton with Tony Ingham

7 miles (11.27km) with very little climbing.

Meet at the Village Hall (parking and toilets), Church Lane, Goosnargh. (Sat Nav: PR3 2BH), ready for the usual start time of 10.30am.

From the village hall we make our way west along Goosnargh Lane which leads to a bridleway going north to Goosnargh Lodge. We continue north on public footpaths to Park Head then it is south west on a track to Barton Old Hall Farm and onwards south on a bridleway to Barton House. Here we rejoin Goosnargh Lane and head back east partly through fields and partly on the Lane itself to the village hall.

05/03/2023 Coach Walk - Castleton via Peak Forest

8:00 start with 17:30 return

A Walk - Win Hill and Mam Tor via Ringing Rodger with Dave Colbert

 12½miles (20km) with 2,850ft (870m) Total Ascent

Recent investigations by Professor Bewaldeth from the University of Snittlegarth have cast doubt on the established view that there is a firm topographical explanation behind the name of the rock formation known as ‘Ringing Roger’. Professor Bewaldeth asks us to consider just who was Roger, why did he need ringing and by whom? He has concluded that Roger may actually be an extra-terrestrial long since lost on the wild and lonely moors of Kinder Scout, but you may decide differently if you come on this hike.

We start from the village of Hope with a direct assault on Win Hill (463m) via Twitchill Farm, continuing north-westwards along Hope Bank to Hope Cross, from where we climb across Crookstone Moor and onto the southern escarpment of Kinder to the Druid´s Stone and Ringing Roger (perhaps Roger was a druid?). A steepish descent via The Nab will take us down to Edale and across to Harden Clough for our third major climb to Mam Tor (517m). It´s then down to Castleton via Hollins Cross and Hollowford Road, and hopefully time to debate the truth about Ringing Roger! 

B+ Walk - The Great Ridge with Sue Banister

10 miles (16km) with 1400ft (425m) Total Ascent

We head north from Castleton on Hollowford Road then east past Losehill Hall to Spring House Farm. The climb then begins to the summit of Lose Hill (1561ft / 476m) and a walk along the tops past Hollins Cross and on to the summit of Mam Tor (1696ft / 517m) which is our highest point today.

We drop down and head south to Windy Knoll, past Oxlow House and Conies Dale to arrive at Conies Farm. A beautiful woodland track takes us up along Oxlow Rake and north to join the Limestone Way through Cave Dale back to Castleton (parts of Cavedale are a bit tricky underfoot).

B Walk - Castleton & Mam Tor with Chris Cook

7½ miles (12km) with 1300ft (396m) Total Ascent

We leave Castleton past Cave Dale and onto to Limestone Way passing the disused mines and Rowter Farm. We cross the road to Windy Knoll and on to Mam Tor. From there we carry on to Hollins Cross ( on a well paved path ). From there to Lose Hill ( time permitting ). If we don´t have time to get to Lose Hill the distance will be 6 miles.

HAPPY DAYS.

C Walk - Hope for the best! with Dorothy Dobson

6¼ miles (10km) with 450ft (137m) Total Ascent

Todays walk is in the shape of a figure eight.

Starting from the visitor centre (toilets), we follow the main street to eventually turn east, past an old mill to the river - Peakshole Water. We walk by the river for half a mile then we go over a railway crossing to reach Pirdale Road and Hope village. From here we begin climbing towards Losehill and at this point should have excellent views of the surrounding countryside.

Passing along paths we pass by Losehill Hall, where the remains of a Medieval hospital have recently been excavated. We now head back to Castleton to cross the town to take a footpath to Goosehill Road and climb gradually towards Speedwell Tavern. From here we head north to Dunscar Farm and walk along a path flanked by walls, to follow a rough track to reach Castleton.