31/08/2025 Sunday Car - Calf head and Ogden Reservoirs

 

August
Start: 10:30am

Calf head and Ogden Reservoirs with Bob Tognarelli

6 Miles / 9.6 km Moderate Climbing

Meet at the Clough Head Cafe and Tourist Information Centre car park, Grane Road, BB4 4AT ready for the usual start time of 10:30 am.


No details available.

20/08/2025 Stroller - Hurst Green

 

August
Start: 10:30am


Hurst Green with Jean Gabbatt
2 ½ miles / 4km with Little Climbing

This circular walk (2½ miles/4 km) follows roads, paths and fields with views of Stonyhurst College. The terrain is mainly flat and even, but with a few inclines.

Meet outside the main door of The Shireburn Arms, Hurst Green (Sat Nav: BB7 9QJ ).

We have permission to use the car park as this is our lunch venue at 12.30pm.


17/08/2025 Coach - Caldbeck

 

August
Start: 8:00am with 17:30 (5:30pm) return


A Walk – Great Lingy Hill & Great Sca Fell with Dave Colbert
11.25 Miles / 19km with 2625ft / 800m Total Ascent


The Caldbeck Fells are predominantly grassy hills comprising an extensive tract of upland known colloquially as ‘the Back o’Skidda’, a remote area reminiscent of the North Pennines. From Caldbeck, we follow the Cumbria Way southwards to Nether Row before tackling High Pike (658m/2,159ft) and a traversing an ill-defined ridge over a number of minor undulations including Hare Stones, Great Lingy Hill and Iron Crag, the latter the most recent elevation in England to be added to its various lists of 2,000 footers. On a clear day there are excellent views across the Solway Firth to the hills of Galloway and the Southern Uplands. Once across a boggy col, we climb directly to the featureless summit of Knott, which at 710m/2,329ft is the highest of the Caldbeck Fells. A broad ridge leads to the flat-topped outlier of Great Sca Fell and then Brae Fell (both Wainwright tops for those interested), from where a long descent takes us to a ford across Dale Beck, which may require the removal of boots! It’s then back to Caldbeck by way of Fell Side and various lanes and tracks.


B+ Walk – High Pike with Sue Banister
10 Miles / 17km with 1837ft /560m Total Ascent


We leave the coach at Caldbeck and head west along Whelpo Beck to a footbridge. We then go generally south to Little Fellside and join a path taking us on the steady climb to the summit of High Pike at 2159ft (658m).
We will hopefully have good views of the Solway Firth and Scottish Border hills to the north and the Lakeland hills to the south.
Our descent takes us via Low Pike to the disused mine at Birket then down towards Wood Hall, Hudscales and Townhead back to Caldbeck.


B Walk – Calderbeck South Circular with Stuart Arnold
8 Miles / 12.8km with 1100ft / 335m Total Ascent


Leaving the coach we join the Cumbria way heading east through Parson's Park. Coming out of the wood we drop down a steep path to join a route which takes us to Hesket Market. Passing through the village we join a field path which takes us to Wood Hall. Here the start of the climb begins as we climb up to Stony bank and a path that traverses round the fellside to join a path which descends to Nether Row.
We then cross fields to Potts Hill and begin our return to Caldbeck through fields via Wath and Townhead.


C Walk – Title with Judith Kirby and Christine McGrath
Miles / km with ft / m Total Ascent


No details available.


14/08/2025 Thursday Car - Dunsop Bridge

 

August
Start: 10:30am


The Centre of the UK with Stuart Arnold
9 Miles / 15km with 900ft / 274m Total Ascent

We will start our walk from the car park in Dunsop Bridge which is expensive so parking on the road may be acceptable (Sat Nav: BB7 3BB), ready for the usual start time 10:30am.

We will start our walk from the car park in Dunsop Bridge which is expensive so parking on the road may be acceptable.

We follow the river hodder down to Burholme Bridge which we cross and go up the road 1/4ml and go into New Laund farm and then up and over the hill and down to Fair Oak Farm. We then pass the telephone box reported to be at the centre of the UK.
We then pass through Dinkling Green Farm through Higher Fence Wood and Whitemore around the edge of Mellor  Knoll down to Harden Farm and back to the start.
In view of the distance from Preston Stuart will be offering lifts to anyone who would like to join him for this excellent walk in some of our most beautiful countryside.

03/08/2025 Sunday Car - Longton

 

August
Start: 10:30am


Hutton/Longton circular with Chris Furlong
7 Miles / 11.2 km Flat Walking

Meet at Hutton Village Hall car park, Moor Lane, Hutton (Sat Nav: PR4 5FE), ready for the usual start time 10:30am.


With lunch this walk should take us approximately 4 hours. reasonable footpaths and modern gates. As much of the walk is by the river and brooks, there may be some muddy paths in places. From the car park we walk along Liverpool road and cross to a public footpath, marked to the Ribble.
After passing through two gates we walk until we reach and cross Ratten lane, after crossing Ratten lane we go down a secluded footpath and after going through stiles and gates reach the River Ribble, where we shall sit on the bank and have lunch. If we are lucky the tide might be in and we can watch the boats go by.
We will then walk along the river until we reach a disused water treatment unit and follow a raised path until we reach a series of gates, we follow the Ribble Way signs and cross over a stream via a small bridge. After going through several gates, we will find ourselves in a large field, we go over a stile at the end of the field which brings us to Grange Lane, we cross a small field to Back Lane, we proceed along Back Lane then find a secluded somewhat overgrown footpath and cross a stile and two bridges walking along Longton Brook. We then reach Liverpool Road and back to the car park.


Peter Stevens 1949-2025

As some of you may already know Peter Stevens passed away on the morning of the 28th of July peacefully at St. Catherine's Hospice. Peter was 76 years old. 

Peter joined the walking club in 1967 at the tender age of 18. He joined the committee a few years later and has been active in several roles ever since. As well as being a prolific walk leader of all grades, life member Peter started the Footprints newsletter in 1990 and was the creator and webmaster for the PDWC website since 2007. For nine years he co-hosted with Stephen Watson the annual 'Grand Night Out' event for the club, utilising his computer skills to create the popular slide show and all the related graphics for the event. 

He was the beloved husband of Lesley, much loved dad to Matthew, James and Caroline, cherished granddad to Katelyn, James and Adam, brother in law to Paul. He will be sadly missed by all his family and friends.

Funeral Service and Committal at Charnock Richard Crematorium on Tuesday 12th August 2025 at 2.30pm. Family flowers only.

Donations if desired to 'St Catherine's Hospice and Rosemere Cancer Foundation' c/o the family.

https://peter-stevens-1949-2025.muchloved.com/

20/07/2025 Coach - Kirkby Stephen via Garsdale

 

July
Start: 8:00am with 17:30 (5:30pm) return


A Walk – Garsdale to Kirkby Stephen via Wild Boar Fell with John Parkinson
12¼ Miles / 19.7km with 2274ft / 693m Total Ascent

Leaving Garsdale Head and its small halt on the Settle to Carlisle Railway we strike north across fields and tracks heading for Grizedale Common. From here we start the long ascent to Swarth Fell Pike before a short descent and ascent to Wild Boar Fell from where we have great views across the remote fells that constitute the region.

Next we head for The Nab and Little Fell descending past Lammerside Castle and Wharton Hall into Kirkby Stephen.


B+ Walk – Mallerstang Edge with Dave Colbert
10.5 miles / 17 km with 1475 ft / 450 m Total Ascent


Two steep-sided, craggy ridges flank the upper Eden Valley: Wild Boar Fell to the west and the dramatic gritstone escarpment of Mallerstang Edge to the east. Today’s ‘B+’ walk will traverse the latter, so if you want to meet the Wild Boars, the ‘A’ walk is the one for you.

Starting from Shaw Paddock a couple of miles beyond the Moorcock Inn at Garsdale Head, we follow a rough track to Hell Gill Bridge, crossing the infant River Ure twice on the way. Hell Gill Beck is a tributary of the River Eden, so we also cross the main watershed of Great Britain. Leaving Hell Gill, we begin the long but gradual climb along High Rigg to Hangingstone Scar and the insignificant grassy mound known as Archy Styrigg or Gregory Chapel. Just who these two characters were has been the subject of much speculation, Dr Bente Kanin-Vakmester of the Wyre Piddle gymnasium concluding they were contemporaries of Bog Myrtle, the infamous 11th century Yorkshire herbalist from Heckmondwike, who argued so long over the origins of cotton grass they eventually turned to stone. Unfortunately, the truth is now most likely lost in the mists of time.

Heading north, we soon reach High Seat (709m/2,327ft), the highest point on the walk with splendid views over much of Cumbria on a clear day. It’s then along Mallerstang Edge to High Pike Hill, another insignificant mound and from where our trackless descent into the Eden Valley begins. Passing Foul Gutter we come to Stank Hill (who came up with these names?) and then Great Bell and the Hunger Hills. From Nateby, the Pennine Bridleway national trail takes us to Kirkby Stephen and sanity, finally crossing the River Eden at Frank’s Bridge..


Pendragon Castle with Stuart Arnold
9½ Miles / 15.3km with 800ft / 244m Total Ascent

Heading south along the river Eden we pass Wharton Hall (16th century) Lammerside Castle (14th century).  Here we go up and pass under the Carlisle-Settle railway. This is the highest and most expensive line in the UK.

Under Breeching it was supposed to be closed but was saved by the then transport minister Michael Portillo.

We then head down Tommy road to reach Pendragon castle.

Now we cross the river and head to the village of Southwaite. Here we follow a path which takes us past Carr House and on to Scotch well and up the fell to Ridding House and then down Thringill Beck into Nateby and eventually Kirby Stephen (Possibly via Stenkrith park).


C Walk – Kirkby Stephen with Christine Davies
5 Miles / 8 km with 400ft / 122m Total Ascent


Kirkby Stephen is s Market town, it got it’s name Market town after King Edward lll granted the first market charter in1353 and had two Annual fairs, bustling with buyers and sellers.

The walk starts at Frank’s Bridge, we cross the river and head for Nateby. We cross the A6259 and make our way to Warton Hall, returning via Half-Penny House and Croglam, then onto Greenriggs before heading back to Kirkby Stephen for refreshments, Hope you enjoy the walk.


16/07/2025 Stroller - Brinscall

 

July
Start: 10:30am


Brinscall with Roy Smith
2 to 3 miles with Little Climbing

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 (Sat Nav: ).


No details available.


10/07/2025 Thursday Car - Chipping

 

July
Start: 10:30am


Chipping with Meriel Nutter
7-8 miles / 12 km with 300 ft / 100 m Total Ascent

Meet at Chipping Car Park (Sat Nav: PR3 2QH), ready for the usual start time 10:30am.


From Chipping car park, road then path northerly to Birchen Lee and Park Gate, track to Park Style and Lickhurst Farm. Road east to crossroad by telephone box and turn right then right on track past Higher and Lower Greystoneley past Knot Barn to Leagram Mill. Road westerly to Throstle Nest then track South to Dairy Barn onto Green Lane into Chipping. From Leagram Mill could extend to Hodder Hole Wood and Townley Moss Wood to Dairy Barn.



07/07/2025 Committee Meeting

 

July
Start: 7:00pm Finish 9:00pm


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.