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 ***
From Hayfield, we proceed up Kinder Road and pass the terraced house in which actor Arthur Lowe was born (Captain Mainwaring of “Dad’s Army” fame). Keep an eye out for a blue plaque on the wall which indicates the exact house.
Soon after, we join the “Snake Path” on our left and follow this in the footsteps of the 400 or so ramblers who, on 24 April 1932, took part in the Kinder Mass Trespass.
The ramblers were seeking the right of working class people to roam freely on the open moorlands. At that time, all of the Kinder massif was privately owned by and for the exclusive use of wealthy landowners and their grouse shooting. Some 19 years later the Peak District became the UK’s first national park.
As we reach Middle Moor shooting cabin, instead of following the main tourist (and trespass) route up William Clough, we will today contour slightly left before ascending Leygatehead Moor and summit out at the top of Mill Hill (544m).
From here, heading in a south easterly direction, we descend to the col at the head of William Clough, before joining the now well trodden path that contours the western edge of the Kinder plateau. We follow this, first to Kinder Downfall and then onwards to Kinder Low (633m).
To complete the round, we continue to Brown Knoll (569m), South Head (494m) and then to the curiously named Mount Famine (473m). The hills name originates from the period of the Inclosure Acts (1773-1859) when tenant farmers struggled to make a living from the poor farming land.
From Mount Famine, we follow the descending ridge line towards Elle Bank and then back to Hayfield in time for refreshments.
We’ll aim to complete the walk today, hopefully without having trespassed on anyone’s land, which of course will be “Strictly Prohibited” and also preferably without any of the group being arrested!
From coach park in Hayfield west along River Sett on Penine Bridleway north up Lantern Pike and down towards Blackshaw Farm. Leave the bridleway for a path south to Little Hayfield. West now crossing to a track then a path over Middle Moor and the shooting cabin shortly after cabin take path going towards Kinder Reservoir following it round the end of the reservoir up to Broad Clough. Follow track south leaving west for a path down to Bowden Bridge and road back to Hayfield. Stopping at the pub if time allows as Hayfield was a bit lacking in open cafes and pubs when I was last there.
Great views of Kinder Edge and the Downfall plus Kinder End weather permitting.
Each Mid-Week Stroller walk has a destination providing a walk and venue for drinks / snacks or meal and starts at 10:30am
Meet at Goosnargh village hall, Church Lane (Sat Nav: PR3 2BH ), Toilets are available.
The walk will be a circular one of 2.80 miles on bridleways and quiet minor roads with good views (weather permitting) across to the Bowland Fells. There will be minimal climbing. Afterwards we will have lunch at the Grapes Inn which is just 100 yards from the Village Hall.
Tarleton with Margaret Oliver
5 Miles / km with flat walking
Meet at Car parking behind Spar in Tarleton (Sat Nav: PR4 6TU ), ready for the usual start time 10:30am.
Walk down Church Road to cross the A59. Passing through Sollom, crossing the canal bridge and through open farm land over the River Douglas and on to Bank Hall. A short walk to the main road and back to the cars in Tarleton.
Due to the shortness of the walk and there being no suitable place to sit, we can stop for a stand up coffee break (if wanted) during the walk but there won’t be a lunch stop.
Walk taking in Jumbles, Wayoh and Turton Tower. All good paths no climbing. It's a lovely area.
Hope to see you all there. Happy Days.
The ‘Fairfield Horseshoe’ is one of the Lake District’s classic fell walks and rightly so, and today we will hike around three quarters of it, taking in six of the eight ‘Wainwright’ tops on the round. Starting from the Rydal Road car park just north of Ambleside town centre, we take the lane to Low Sweden Bridge before climbing onto the eastern arm of said horseshoe. Our route is along the broad ridge taking in Low Pike, High Pike, Dove Crag and Hart Crag before reaching Fairfield itself, at 873m/2,865ft the highest point on the walk. We then head for Great Rigg, leaving the horseshoe here to descend to Grasmere, grabbing a bonus ‘Wainwright’ Stone Arthur on the way.
Please note that weather and/or fell conditions on the day may necessitate an alternative, lower-level hike. Various options are available but unless it’s really bad, we will follow a linear route from Brockhole to Grasmere taking in Wansfell’ ridge and Loughrigg Fell. This is similar in terms of both length and the amount of climbing.
Middleton Fell is a bit of an oddity; wedged between the Lune Valley and the deep-cut trench of Barbondale, it lies within the Yorkshire Dales National Park yet geologically is an eastward extension of the Silurian slate landscape of the South Lakes. For many years Calf Top, the highest point, was thought to be just shy of 2,000 feet, but recent surveys have shown it to be 2,000 feet exactly! Unfortunately, access points are quite limited, so how best to tackle it from the south?
We start from Hodge Bridge on the A683 and walk through the village of Barbon to the church before crossing Barbon Beck. The climbing starts from Eskholme up an increasingly well-defined, curving ridge to the summit of Castle Knott (538m/1,765ft), beyond which lies Calf Top (610m/2,000ft) and its Trig Point. Unfortunately, the eastern and southern flanks of Middleton Fell are extremely steep, so we will retrace our steps over Castle Knott and back to Barbon before heading to Kirkby Lonsdale by way of Fellfoot Road (a track) and High Casterton.
If weather conditions are poor (heavy rain/snow and/or strong winds) we will do a longer version of the B+, starting from Casterton. This is about the same length but with just over 150 meters / 500 feet less climbing.
B+ Walk – Barbon Low Fell with Sue Banister
9 Miles / 14.5km with 1,345ft / 410m Total Ascent
We leave the coach a few miles north of Kirby Lonsdale on the A683 at Hodge Bridge then head east through Barbon village and into the grounds of Barbon Manor to access Barbondale. After crossing the beck at Blindbeck Bridge we head south on a bridleway to Bullpot Farm.
This is home to the Red Rose Caving and Pot Holing Club and you are standing over the longest caving system in Britain known as the Three Counties system. You can go underground in Yorkshire, pass under Lancashire, and emerge in Cumbria!
From Bullpot we have a short stretch of lane before heading up the fell to the trig point and highest point of Barbon Low Fell at 1437ft (438m).
We then cross to the cairn on Brownthwaite Pike 1382ft (421m) after which its downhill back to Kirby via Blindloss Farm, Cragg House Farm, and Latha Lane.
B Walk – The Limestone Stacks of Uberash Breast with Stuart Arnold
8 Miles / 12.9km with 700ft / 213m Total Ascent
This is a linear walk which will start as we leave the bus after exiting the motorway at Junction 36. We will join the canal and follow it South for about 1½ miles. We then cross the A6070 and at Holme Park Farm we join a path which takes us round the base of Holmepark Fell. This then leads across Uberash Plain to pass Keller well and round Hutton Roof Crags into the village of Hutton Roof.
Following field paths we pass Longfield Barn, Biggins Home Farm, High Biggins and Wood End eventually reaching Kirby Lonsdale and the end of another excellent walk.
Meet at The Horns Inn, The Avenue, Chuchtown , Preston (Sat Nav: PR3 0HR).
12 noon start ( apparently, they can only do group bookings for a noon sitting).
No details available.
Committee meetings are held on Mondays.
Start at 7:00pm and finish at 9:00pm.
All members are welcome.
We meet at the Over 60s Club, Priory Lane, Penwortham, Preston PR1 0AR.