03/03/2024 Coach Walk - Ravenstonedale (Pennines & Dales)

8:00 start with 17:30 return

A Walk - Green Bell and Kensgriff with Graham Hogg

10½ miles / 17km with 2,362ft / 720m Total Ascent

Today we have the opportunity to visit some of the less frequented north eastern Howgill fells.

From the village of Ravenstonedale, we head in a south westerly direction following the course of Wyegarth Gill before ascending Knott (465m) on route to the summit of Knoutberry (529m). A further short steep climb brings us the summit of Green Bell (605m). On a clear day, the views from the top are fairly extensive – Ingleborough, Skiddaw, Blencathra and Cross Fell, to name a few, are all visible.

We continue by descending slightly to Spengill Head (568m). At this point, if the conditions and weather are favourable, we will head for Kensgriff (574m). Kensgriff is a rather shapely fell situated between two of the higher tops in the area, Yarlside and Randygill Top. It is possible on a longer summers day to descend from Kensgriff to the connecting saddle and climb Yarlside but the ascent is nothing short of brutal and the return descent back to the saddle requires strong nerves, good knees and great deal of care!

Instead, today we´ll only view Yarlside and after a break on Kensgriff, we´ll retrace our steps for a short distance before climbing steeply to reach the summit of Randygill Top (624m).

From Randygill Top our route descends north to ensure we reach the high and narrow saddle of Leathgill Bridge. From here, there is a final steep climb to reach the un-named point at 586m before a straight forward path takes us to Hooksey and a descent off the fells to Cow Bank at Weasdale. Return to Ravenstonedale is made via minor roads and field paths. 

B+ Walk - Smartdale Circuit with Meriel Nutter

10.5 miles / 16.9km with 100ft / 305m Ascent.

North out of Ravenstonedale taking a path to Smardale bridge. Climb north easterly over the flanks of Smardale Fell descending north to Smardale Bridge. West onto Beck Lane then north on a path to Smardale Mill and west into Crosby Garrett.

South now onto a path contouring round Beacon Hill and Begin Hill to join the path south westerly on the dismantled railway. Leave it at Badger Badger Hill, crossing the A685 near Newbiggin taking the field path to a minor road and the footpath alongside the main road into Ravenstonedale

B Walk - Nettle Hill without the nettles with Stuart Arnold

9 miles / 15km with 1,100ft / 335m Total Ascent

We depart the coach at Newbiggin and cross the A 685 to reach the Hamlet of Browner. After walking through a few fields we head for the hills. First of all we walk onto Ewe Fell and start our climb over Crosby Garret Fell. After 2 miles skirting Nettle Hill we drop down to the lovely village of Crosby Garret.

Here we take a minor road South East to access the disused railway line which leads us to the very impressive Smardale viaduct. We then take a lower path down Smardale Gill which gives us superb views of the viaduct. When we reach Smardale Bridge we follow Scandal Beck back down into Ravenstonedale.

The scenery and the wild flowers on a nice day are beautiful.

C Walk - Brownber but no bears with Judith Kirby

5 miles / 8km with 120ft / 37m Total Ascent

We leave the coach in Ravenstonedale and after a very short walk on the road we head across fields to Greenside then Higher Greenside and eventually Newbiggin on Lune. Here we have to cross the A685 to meet a track leading into Brownber and up to the hall where we turn east to join the disused railway line which leads us to the quarries.

We walk back a little way to the railway bridge where we follow the path down to Smardale bridge. We climb through fields via Todwray, Hawking Scar past Park House Farm back into Ravenstonedale.

21/02/2024 Stroller - Goosnargh

Meet at the Goosnargh village hall Church Lane, Goosnargh (Sat Nav: PR3 2BH) free parking and toilets, then afterwards at either the Grapes or the Stag´s Head.

Goosnargh with Tony Ingham
2 to 3 miles with Little Climbing 

The reason I say either/or is because the Grapes, which I would prefer, is currently temporarily closed.

The walk will be 2.75 miles long.

18/02/2024 Sunday Car - Penwortham

Meet at Cemetery Car Park on Hill Road, Penwortham (Sat Nav: PR1 9AA), ready for the usual start time of 10.30am.

B Walk - Penwortham & Park Wonder with Dorothy Dobson
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

Meet at the junction between Longsands Lane and Waterford Close, Fulwood (Sat Nav: PR2 9PY), ready for the usual start time of 10.30am.

B Walk - Woodland around Fulwood with katie Clenshaw
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)

8:00 start with 17:30 return

A Walk - Grassington & Mossdale with Stuart Drysdale

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.

B+ Walk - Cracoe Fell with Sue Bannister

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.

B Walk - All Walks Great and Small with Christine Davis and Barbara Gilbert

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.

C Walk - Grassington & Linton with Dorothy Dobson

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.

B Walk - Brinscall with Chris Cook
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

No walk this month but a meal at Brown Hare, Millbrook Way, Penwortham (Sat Nav: PR1 0XW). 

Arrive 12:15 for 12:30 for start.

Meal Only at the Brown Hare
   

11/01/2024 Thursday Car - Newton / Treales

Meet on road outside newton village hall, Vicarage road (Sat Nav: PR4 3RX), ready for the usual start time of 10.30am.

B Walk - Newton with Chris Airey
No details available

07/01/2024 Coach Walk - Grange-over-Sands

8:00 start with 17:30 return

A Walk - Whitbarrow to Gange-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. 

B+ Walk - Hampsfell and More with Meriel Nutter

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.

B Walk - Hempsfell from Grange-over-Sands with barbara & Alan

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.

C Walk - Grange and Allithwaite with Dorothy Dobson

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

Meet at Garstang car park (Sat Nav: PR3 1WZ), ready for the usual start time of 10.30am.

B Walk - Garstang with Chris Cook
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.