5.5 miles / 8.9km mostly flat
Walking through Miller & Avenham Park and other paths around the Penwortham area.
We are based in Lancashire in the North West of England but our walks take us round the UK's National Parks & National Landscapes, the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales, Peak District & North Wales. *** To view the next walk - Please scroll to the bottom ***
18/02/2024 Sunday Car - Penwortham
5.5 miles / 8.9km mostly flat
Walking through Miller & Avenham Park and other paths around the Penwortham area.
08/02/2024 Thursday Car - Fulwood
7 miles / 11.4km with 380ft / 120m Total Ascent
Parking is usually available on the north side of Longsands Lane between Waterford Close and The Lodgings.
We set off across Preston Golf Course to walk through Mason´s Wood. From here we head through the playing fields behind The Sherwood to the site of Broughton Tower, then on to Moss Leach Wood and Cromwell´s Mound, where Cromwell´s men dug in during the Civil War to fire on the tower (some imagination is required here!). At this point we pass some of the uglier buildings in Fulwood (sorry - it does get better). We continue along Midgery Lane towards Midgery Wood, then through Squire Anderton´s Wood to Cow Hill. From Cow Hill we return via Little Rough Hey Farm and the Guild Wheel, which firstly goes through a wood with no name. This wood has a very nice, little-used path if anyone fancies clambouring through blackthorn and sliding on their bottom! Perhaps I´ll keep that to myself and we´ll just stick with the Guild Wheel, which continues through Fernyhalgh Wood.
Shortly before reaching Midgery Lane, we take a wooded path on the left back to Longsands Lane.
The route is undulating, with two short, steep climbs. Most of the paths are good, but there are some muddy parts. There are no stiles.
04/02/2024 Coach - Grassington (Yorkshire Dales)
12.5 miles / 20km with 1850ft / 563m Total Ascent
From the coach we walk up through Grassington to High Lane and then to Edge Lane and along Tinkers Lane to Hebden Beck. We now go to the Dukes New Road which we follow to Mossdale and go up the valley before heading off towards Cappleston Gate and down Conistone Turf Road to Bycliffe Road, from which we pick up the Dales Way back to Grassington for refreshments and the coach home.
9.5 miles / 15.3km with 1200ft / 365m Ascent.
We get off the coach at Rylstone and follow a bridleway south and then east to start a steady climb up Sun Moor Hill to High Bark. Our route then heads north along the tops of Rylstone and Cracoe Fells. We pass the cross, obelisk and crags which stand out against the skyline when viewed from below on the road to Grassington.
The war memorial on the top of Cracoe Fell is the highest point on the walk at 1667ft (508m). We continue along the tops and wind eastwards skirting Burnsall and Thorpe Fell before dropping down to the lovely little village of Thorpe. A quiet lane and fields then take us down to the River Wharfe where we join the Dales Way for a mile and a half to Linton Falls and up to Grassington.
7.5 miles / 12km with 876ft / 267m Total Ascent
We leave the village via Main Street, Chapel Street and then onto Bank Lane to reach a squeezer stile. We then cross several fields and stiles before passing two ruined barns to reach Downs Pasture with a sheepfold on our right to eventually reach a cairn at Bycliffe Lane but there was no obvious path to follow. The descent back to Grassington should have been straightforward.
Unfortunately due to adverse weather conditions which was very concerning so we were unable to complete the walk, and a decision was taken to return back via the outward route to Grassington as we could not see a clear path due to the deep snow.
We may be able to undertake the completed walk on the day but it would depend on whether the conditions are favourable.
5.5 miles / 8.9km with 400ft / 122m Ascent.
From the coach park ( toilets ) we walk down the hill to cross the bridge over the River Wharfe before making our way to the village of Linton via footpaths and minor roads. Linton has some interesting old buildings and houses, so we will spend a little time there prior to taking the wooded footpath by a stream. The path leads into a field where we cross a dismantled railway via a stepped bridge.
We then descend through fields to Threshfield, another village with old buildings. Making our way back to Grassington, we cross the River Wharfe again and join another path into the town for refreshments.
21/01/2024 Sunday Car - Brinscall
Meet at Brinscall Baths, Lodge Bank, Brinscall (Sat Nav: PR6 8QU),
ready for the usual start time of 10.30am.
ready for the usual start time of 10.30am.
6 to 7 miles / 9.7 to 11km with slight undulations
We retrace the way you came in and enter through lovely woodland to carry on
to Bluebell Wood. The 2nd oldest woodland in Lancashire. From there onto the
Hare and Hound´s Pub, past the reservoir and onto Tockhole´s Plantation.
From there to Withnell Moor, round Old Man´s Hill and down to our car.
HAPPY DAYS.
17/01/2024 Stroller - Meal at Brown Hare
Arrive 12:15 for 12:30 for start.
Meal Only at the Brown Hare
11/01/2024 Thursday Car - Newton / Treales
No details available
07/01/2024 Coach Walk - Grange-over-Sands
13.4 miles / 21.6km with 2530ft / 770m Total Ascent
This walk visits two hills clearly seen from the
A590, but not so often visited. The first is the limestone escarpment of
Whitbarrow, its white cliffs dominating the road. The second is Dixon
Heights, part Newton Fell, with its bracken covered slopes, ruined tower
and fell ponies. Finally, returning to limestone, we climb Hampsfell
before descending to Grange-over-Sands.
We leave the coach at the bus stop on the A590 immediately after the turn off to Mill Side and Beck Head. We head towards Mill Side, then Low Fell End and follow a winding path through the woods onto Whitbarrow. We continue on the path along the escarpment past Lord´s Seat, then turn left and follow the wall to descend via Bell Rake, before heading to Witherslack church via High Park Wood and Yewbarrow.
From Witherslack church we take the path to Bleacrag Road, then along Holme Road and Back o´ th´ Fell Road, where we take the footpath to Tom Tarn. Here we take a quick detour to the top of Dixon Heights before returning to Tom Tarn, then continuing past Eller How and crossing the A590 towards Hollow Lane.
If time permits we will head westwards past
Great Wood and climb Hampsfell from the north before descending to
Grange-over-Sands. Alternatively we can go directly to Grange-over-Sands
via Hampsfield, Merlewood and Eggerslack Wood.
9 miles / 15km with 1500ft / 457m Ascent.
From Grange climb steeply through Eggerslack Wood to Hampsfell Hospice. Descend northerly through Hampsfell Allotments turning south then west past Hampsfell Hall. Briefly left onto road and right over a stile and across the field. Right onto a road taking a path on left to Broughton Hall, lunch at a barn on the way.
Continue on a network of paths, tracks and minor roads passing Beck Side, Wall Nook, Hard Crag Wood to the road at Well Knowe. Cross this taking a path which goes through woods and down to Cartmel racecourse. go through Cartmel, up Hampsfell again past Pitts Farm descending before the summit via Fell End to Spring Bank and Grange.
7 miles / 11.26km with 1076ft / 328m Total Ascent
From the car park we make our way to the clock tower where the walk starts. We then walk up Hampsfell Road climbing gently to reach the summit of Hampsfell where a hospice was built in 1846 to provide a shelter for travellers. Here we have spectacular views of Old Man of Coniston, the Langdales and Morecambe Bay.
Heading South we head for a cairn at Fell End before descending to the road to make our way to Allithwaite crossing green pastures. We then descend down hill until we reach Kents Bank Station, turning left here and down some steps to meet a path which follows the railway line. Passing the Lido (now undergoing renovations) which was the location for a scene in the first series of the crime drama The Bay, from here is a stroll along the promenade back to Grange for refreshments.
5.5 miles / 8.9km with 500ft / 152m Ascent.
From Grange coach park (toilets nearby) we wind our way through Eden Mount, climbing gradually to Nutwood Manor and on to High Farm. Most of the climbiing has been completed at this point. Turning west along good tracks, we reach Spring Bank, where, hopefully we have wonderful views towards the estuary. Continuing along this track we come to the road, which we cross to reach High Fell Gate Caravan Park.
Continuing along the road, we reach a stile, which leads into a field and where we cross and eventually drop down to Allithwaite. From here it is mostly road walking until we reach Kent´s Bank where we join the coastal road back to Grange.
14/12/2023 Thursday Car - Garstang
7 miles (11km) with slight undulations
Leaving the car by the river, under the bridge, following the River Wyre over the ford to Woodacre Hall. Going over the M6 down to Parkhead Farm, later back over M6 then onto the canal path under the aqueduct and back to where we started.
Happy Days.
10/12/2023 Coach Walk - Ambleside & Grasmere
December
8:00 Start with 16:30 (4:30pm) Return
9.1 miles / 14.6km with 1,650ft / 503m Total Ascent
After chatting to A walk colleagues on Sunday I reccied today what I thought would be a slightly shorter walk with less altitude reflecting the likely December conditions and walk time available. The conditions were atrocious with flooding and overflowing streams requiring diversions and considerable care on descents.
Given the time available on the December walk and the reasonable probability of continuing conditions in this area, I´m therefore proposing a shorter walk with less altitude:
Leave Grasmere towards Lancrigg, we´ll ascend sharply via White Crag and High Raven Crag to Helm Crag. Following the ridge line through Bracken Hause to Gibson Knott, Moment Crag, Pike of Carrs and on to Calf Crag. Descending via Brownrigg Moss we´ll turn back over Grasmere Common and Far Easedale before heading back via Stenners Crag and Cockly Crag to Easdale tarn. Turning sharply, we´ll start the descent of Easdale and back into Grasmere.
7 or 8 miles / 11.12 or 12.45km with 1800ft / 550m Ascent.
The route taken will depend on the weather on the day. The Loughrigg option, which is lower, is the backup option. Both routes start and finish at Grasmere and total ascent for each is the same. However the Loughrigg route is about a mile longer.
Easedale Tarn and Silver How route: We start by walking through the village towards Allen Bank and Goody Bridge, then take the path along Easedale Beck, past the waterfalls on Sour Milk Gill, to Easedale Tarn. From the Tarn we take a path heading south west to reach the ridge just east of Blea Crag. At 1600ft, this is the highest point of the walk. We continue east along the ridge, past Great Castle How, Little Castle How, Swinscar Pike and Lang How to Silver How. From here we can descend to Grasmere via Wray Gill and Allen Bank. Alternatively, if we have made good progress we can continue roughly SSW along the grassy top of Silver How then down towards Spedding Crag to descend via Kelbarrow.
Note - this walk has some steep sections on the descent, but these are short and not difficult and we should have plenty of time if we need it. Some parts are boggy, and there are streams to cross (or paddle through).
Around Loughrigg route: We head out of the village, past Dove Cottage to take the Coffin Route as far as Rydal. After a short distance on the main road, we turn right to take the road alongside the River Rothay before taking the path up hill alongside Fox Ghyll. We continue past Ivy Crag and Loughrigg Tarn then take the upper path at The How. As this is a B+ walk, I´ve included a climb to the top of Loughrigg. Just before a stream and a wood, we take a steep path to the top where we should have views of the higher fells all around.
We descend Loughrigg to Loughrigg Terrace, then skirt round the hill to the road. From here we take the path through Red Bank Wood, which eventually rejoins the road back to Grasmere.
8 miles (12.9km) with 750ft (229m) Total Ascent
From Grasmere village car park we head towards and past Dove Cottage and climb steeply up following the Coffin trail to Rydal Hall and the main road where we cross over Pelter Bridge.
Another climb leads us to footpaths with views of Rydal Water and onto Loughrigg Terrace which we follow to Redbank Woods and down to the shores of Grasmere. A short road walk takes us to the centre of Grasmere for refreshments and the coach.
5.5 miles (8.9km) with 400ft (122m) Ascent.
The walk is a linear from the centre of Ambleside to the centre of Grasmere. It passes through some beautiful countryside with magnificent views over the two lakes to the fells beyond.
We pass initially through St Mary´s church grounds and then through Rothay park. Following a very minor road we reach Pelter bridge. Here we follow the track which leads us around the shores of Rydal water and then Grasmere. We then leave the lake shore and walk into Grasmere via Red Bank road. We hope you all enjoy this lovely walk.
06/12/2023 Stroller Walk - Christmas Lunch
Meet 12:15am for 12:30pm.
To book contact Bary Hayhurst Email: strollers @pdwc.org
A £10 deposit per person is required. Christmas sweaters , Ties , tinsel and other adornments optional.
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