21/05/2017 Sunday Car - Tockholes / Edgworth Reservoirs

 

May

10:30am Start

Tockholes with Dorothy Dobson
8 miles (12.9km) undulating

Meet at Tockholes Information Centre car park (Sat Nav: BB3 0PA) ready for the usual start time of 10.30am.

Starting from the Information Centre we take a zig zag path up to Darwen Tower. From here we descend steeply to Sunnyhurst Wood - a popular park for the local dog walkers - to then climb once more, to Hawkshaw. We cross over the golf course to eventually reach Weasel Farm and after reaching the main road, we drop down to Tockholes village before joining the Witton Weavers Way and back to the car park. 

Edgworth Reservoirs with Margaret and Bob
6 miles (9.7km) mostly on the flat, one or two inclines

Meet at car park behind "The Barlow" Building next door to the cricket club GR 742166 (Sat Nav: BL7 0AP), ready for the usual start time of 10.30am.

Nestling below moors between Darwen & Bolton this is a pleasant stroll around 2 reservoirs Wayoh and Entwistle, starting from the village of Edgworth, at The Barlow Institute (where there are toilets). We enter a field to reach a path overlooking Wayoh where we walk round part of this Reservoir. There is a short steep climb which brings us to Entwistle Station to reach the Strawberry Duck Inn. We continue along a road path for a short distance, up some steps, along a conifer wood to the shoreline of Entwistle Reservoir which we walk round to reach the dam. We then continue through woodland leading back to Wayoh Reservoir.

We cross the dam and make our way back to the village where refreshments can be taken at the Black Bull Pub. 

17/05/2017 Stroller - Longton

 

May

10:30am Start

Longton with Joan and Allan
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 the Rams Head car park, Liverpool Road, Longton (Sat Nav: PR4 5HA), then afterwards at the Rams Head Pub, Longton.

11/05/2017 Thursday Car - Yarrow Valley, Chorley

 

May

10:30am Start

B Walk Yarrow Valley with Allan Benson
8 miles (12.9km) with no significant climbing.

Meet at Birkacre Visitor Centre (Sat Nav: PR7 3QL Map Ref: GR570153), ready for the usual start time of 10.30am.

We start our walk from the country park and follow the River Yarrow through Saunders Bank and Big Wood to Duxbury Park. We then follow the Leeds Liverpool Canal for approximately 2 miles before making our way back to Yarrow Park via Sandy Lane, footpaths and some quiet roads.

07/05/2017 Coach - Appleby and Dufton

 

May

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

A Walk – Backstone Edge & Murton Pike with Dave Colbert
12½ miles (20km) with 2,375ft (725m) Total Ascent

The North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty became the first British Geopark in June 2003. Its most famous geological feature is the spectacular glacial canyon of High Cup Gill that eats into the hillside above Dufton, the product of an intrusion of dolerite otherwise known as the Whin Sill.

Starting from Dufton, we follow the track around the southern flank of Dufton Pike, climbing gradually up the narrowing valley of Threlkeld Side with its relics of industry past to eventually reach Great Rundale Tarn. The next bit is off-piste as we head generally south along Backstone Edge from its 692m Trig Point towards the great cleft of High Cup Gill. From High Cup Nick, our route traverses High Cup Scar before heading across Middle Tongue and down to the broad col below the shapely Murton Pike (594m/1,949ft). It’s then steeply down to the farm at Harbour Flatt and the minor road back to Dufton from Keisley Bridge.

B+ Walk – High Cup Nick with David Thornton
9½ miles (15.25km) with 1608ft (490m) Total Ascent

The great gorge of High Cup is reminiscent of the glacial trenches seen in the Cairngorms, although it looks so out of place iin the North Pennines that the splendour of the scene is greatly exaggerated. The dramatic cliffs are an outcropping of the Great Whin Sill, exposed by the passage of ice. The boulders littering the valley floor are relics of the collapsed sill - the underlying limestone being eroded away. One of the pinnacles along the cliff edge, Nichol's Chair (or Nichol's Last), was named for a local cobbler who, for a bet, sat on top while mending a pair of shoes. Occasionally the stream that empties into the cleft can be seen spurting upward. Peregrine falcons also catch the updraft, circling as they search for prey.

Starting at Dufton we head south east across fields to Redbanks bridge and just before reaching Castle Hill we turn north east and then follow a country lane for a short distance to Keisley bridge. Leaving the lane we head up the glaciated valley which we have to climb out of to reach High Cup Nick. From there we head back to Dufton along the Pennine Way.

B Walk – Knock! Knock! Who's There? with Dorothy Dobson
9 miles (14.5km) with 1500ft (457m) Total Ascent

The scenery around Appleby and Dufton is stunning and Sheila and I thoroughly enjoyed reccying the walk.

Setting out from Dufton we head along a track to Pusgill House and then pass between Brownber Hill and Dufton Pike to reach Costa Hill. Here we have a gradual climb as we follow the Pennine Way north eastwards to Swinedale Beck. We return along a private road for a while before walking beneath Flagdaw and Knock Pike. Then its back to Costa Hill, where we rejoin the Pennine Way to head southwards to Dufton.

C Walk – Appleby Amble with Joyce Bradbury
6¼ miles (9.7km) with 434ft (132m) Total Ascent

Setting off from Appleby (toilets available) we climb out of the town past the railway station and continue along a road until we can go under the A66. For the next few miles we follow tracks, field and woodland paths on the level or downhill. We eventually reach a road which we cross to take another field path, with a short sharp rise, to Brampton Hall. We continue onwards through a caravan site after which a short road walk takes us to Keld Farm. We now climb up to Castlerigg to arrive at the Roman Road. Another ¾ mile brings us to the main road and it is pavement walking, downhill into Appleby with its two cafes and various pubs. There are several stiles and some lovely mud!

23/04/2017 Sunday Car - Abbeystead

 

April

Start 10:30am 

Abbeystead & Dolphinholme with Mary & Kevin McEnaney
8 miles (12.9km) easy walking

Meet at Abbeystead parking area Stoops Bridge free car park (Sat Nav: LA2 9BH Map Ref: SD564544), ready for the usual start time of 10.30am.

The walk takes us through the village of Abbeystead and heads over pasture land to Far Barn Farm, carry onto the reservoir and onto Lower Swainhead farm, then Lower Dolphinholme, continue through woodland and pastures and onto Swainshead Hall, Little Catshaw, Hinberry wood, and eventually returning to Stoops bridge.

19/04/2017 Stroller - Haslam Park

 

April

10:30am Start

Haslam Park with Christine and Bob
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 main car park, Haslam Park, Bristow Avenue, Ashton, Preston (Sat Nav: PR2 1JE), then afterwards at Lane Ends Pub.

Please remember there is no right turn into the car park from Blackpool Road. Approach from Pedders Lane/ Tulketh Road direction to turn left into the car park. Also there is no car park at the Lane Ends Pub, the nearest car park is at Haslam Park which is short walk to the Pub.

13/04/2017 Thursday Car - Dunsop Bridge

 

April

Start 10:30am

Dunsop Bridge with Kevin McEnaney
9½ miles (15.3km) with 1660ft (505m) Total Ascent

Meet at Dunsop Bridge car park (Sat Nav: BB7 3BB), ready for the usual start time of 10.30am, £2 for eight hours parking, toilet and boot washing facilities available, limited off the road parking for free.

We start from the car park and follow the Hodder south down to Burnholme Bridge, cross the Hodder and on to Fair Oak Farm. We then walk on to Dinkling Green and head north to Mellor Knoll before descending to Harden Farm and on to the trough road, returning to Dunsop Bridge via fields and woodland.

A good circular walk with excellent views of the Bowland Fells. 

09/04/2017 Coach - Braithwaite

 

April

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

A Walk – Crag Hill & Causey Pike with Colin Manning
9 miles (14.5km) with 3000ft (915m) Total Ascent

Wainwrights galore today for our 'A' party. Starting from Braithwaite we cross fields to reach Braithwaite lodge. From here we start our ascent up to Barrow (1493ft/455m) and on to Outerside (1864ft/568m). We descend a little from here before our ascent steepens up to Sail (2405ft/773m) and Crag Hill which, at 2753ft/839m, is the highest point of our walk. From here we retrace our steps back down via Sail and bearing right this time to head via Scar Crags (2205ft/672m) on up our final short climb of the day to Causey Pike (2090ft/637m). All down hill from here via Rowling End down to Stoneycroft. From here we can assess our time and either take the longer scenic route along Newlands beck for the full 9 miles or cut a mile off and head back via the, probably just as scenic, road and track via Braithwaite Lodge again all the way back to Braithwaite.

B+ Walk – Cat Bells with Pete Stevens
9½ Miles / 15.3km with 1,400ft / 427m Total Ascent

The last time I led a walk over Cat Bells was in 2009 before I had a bionic Knee. This will be a test for me, but a delight for the group as the views from here are some of the best in the lake district and well worth a visit.

Starting from Braithwaite (toilets available) we follow Newlands Beck south to Ghyll Bank, then passing Skelgill on to Hawes End from where we start the main climbing of the day. From here we ascend Skelgill Bank (1148ft / 350m), where we level out for a while before ascending Cat Bells at (1476ft / 450m). From the summit, we will be able to see the length of Derwent Water to Keswick and beyond, with Bassenthwaite Lake and Skiddaw in the background. We descend from Cat Bells down Hause Gate to Manesty Park at the southern end of Derwent Water. Turning North, we join the Allerdale Ramble track (Cumbria Way) which follows Derwent Water back to Hawes End.

Leaving Hawes End, we follow a road to Swinside where we once again pick up the Newlands Beck path which leads us back into Braithwaite.

B Walk – Around Barrow Door with Dorothy Dobson
7.5 miles (12km) with 1,200ft (366m) Total Ascent

Leaving Braithwaite village we walk along the track to Braithwaite Lodge. From here we begin the steep climb, on a good grassy path up Barrow Door. We will have a few stops to admire the panoramic views and get our breath back. All the climbing is done now and we descend gradually on a path by Stoney Croft Gill to Rowling End Farm. We cross the road to Skelgill Youth Centre, then head northwards to Stair and follow a path by the beck to Braithwaite. 

C Walk – Derwent Bay with Joyce Bradbury
6 miles (9.7km) with 488ft (149m) Total Ascent

Our walk today starts from Keswick, (toilets available). Following the Cumbria Way we head for Portinscale, Nichol End and Hawse End. Between Nichol End and Hawse End we have time to visit the newly opened walled garden at Lingholm which has connections with Beatrix Potter. The gardens are free and there is a shop and cafe.

We now leave the Cumbria Way for our only real climb of the day up to Skelgill. From here we drop down into the Newlands Valley to follow Newlands Beck into Braithwaite. All we need is the weather!

26/03/2017 Sunday Car - Caldervale / Witton Country Park

B Walk - Caldervale & Bleasdale with Chris Metcalfe 

7 miles (11.4km) with 250ft (76m) Total Ascent

Meet at the Mill Square (free parking), Caldervale (Sat Nav: PR3 1SP Map Ref: SD 534458), ready for the usual start time of 10.30am.

Starting at the Mill Square (free parking) our walk will take us from Calder Vale to Bleasdale and part of Claughton. The walking will be relatively easy with a mixture of country roads, farm tracks and (possibly) some field walking as well. On my first recce. the fields were absolutely saturated and virtually impassable in many places so I may avoid fields if no improvement by the final recce. Depending on the weather there will be extensive views across the Fylde with the Lake District to the north and Liverpool Bay to the south. There will be toilets at lunch and at Cobble Hey cafe in the afternoon. Hope you can join us.

C Walk - Witton Country Park with Roy Smith 

6 miles (9.7km) with 300ft (91m) Total Ascent

Meet at main car park off the A674 (Sat Nav: BB2 2TP), ready for the usual start time of 10.30am.

From the main car park we head past the Visitor Centre and climb towards Billinge Wood. Moving out of the wood we walk along the top of what are known as the Yellow Hills, so named because of the covering of gorse bushes on their southern slope. Along this stretch we pass the Wainwright Memorial, a memorial to Alfred Wainwright who was born in Blackburn in 1907. Continuing gradually downhill we make our way to the River Darwin, at Hoghton Bottoms. We follow the river for a short distance then, moving away from the river, we follow farm tracks and minor roads eventually arriving at Pleasington Priory. From here we make our way back into the Country Park. We now follow the Witton Weavers Way back to our starting point.

15/03/2017 Stroller - Rivington

Rivington with Roy
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 main car park at Lower Barn, Rivington (Great House Barn, Sat Nav: BL6 7SB), then afterwards at Lower Rivington Barn Cafe.