24/02/2019 Sunday Car - Sollom

B Walk - Sollom / Mere Sands Wood with Sheila Marsh

8 miles (12.9km) with flat walking

Meet Liverpool Old Road off A59 Near Lock Lane (Sat Nav PR4 6HS. Map Ref SD458183), ready for the usual start time of 10.30am.

We start on the towpath of the Rufford Branch of the Leeds-Liverpool Canal. When we reach Rufford Marina we leave the canal to cross the A59 and enter Meresands Wood where we will have lunch. We rejoin the canal at Spark Lane Bridge and return to Sollom along the towpath.

20/02/2019 Stroller -Fulwood Guild Wheel

Fulwood Guild Wheel with Bob and Christine

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 The Anderton Arms, Fulwood (Sat Nav: PR2 9PS), then afterwards at The Anderton Arms.

14/02/2019 Thursday Car - Morecambe

B Walk - Morecambe to Heysham with Peter Cobb

8 miles (12.9km) with flat walking.

Meet on Morecambe Promenade north of Morecambe (Carnforth side) past the double yellow lines (Sat Nav:LA4 5AQ Map Ref:SD438 649), ready for the usual start time of 10.30am.

We walk along the promenade to Heysham, taking in the views of the Lake District (weather permitting). Once at Heysham we will view St Peter´s Church, a Grade 1 listed building, parts of which date back to the 8th century and it is still an active Anglian parish then retrace our steps back along the promenade.

10/02/2019 Coach Walk - Shap

8:00 start with 17:00 return

A Walk - Tebay to Shap with Graham Hogg

13 miles (21km) with 1800ft (550m) Total Ascent

Starting our walk at Tebay J38 truckstop (toilets) we walk a short stretch along the River Lune before making our way through fields and along quiet lanes to view the Gamelands Stone Circle (dates from 1800-1400 BC).

From here we now have a steep ascent to the trig point on the summit of Great Asby Scar (The Knott) at 412m. This whole area is a vast expanse of limestone pavement and a protected nature reserve.

A little further on we´ll take a detour to visit Beacon Hill (392m) and the monument which was erected by John Bland to commemorate the jubilee of Queen Victoria in 1887. On a clear day, views from here are extensive across the Eastern lake district fells and the Howgills to the south.

We head in a northerly direction over Bank Moor before descending into the little village of Crosby Ravensworth. From the village we climb to Iron Hill then drop to Hardendale Quarry before crossing the M6 and the west coast main line railway to meet up with the coach in Shap. 

B+ Walk - Shap Circular with Kevin Poole

11 miles (17.7km) with 1300ft (396m) Total Ascent

Today's walk starts in Shap. The route takes us to Haweswater Dam and back. We will take in Shap Abbey, Keld, and the Goggleby Stone. Expect excellent views of the Eastern fells.

B Walk - Shap Abbey and Bampton Grange with Dorothy Dobson

8½ miles (13.6km) with 800ft (244m) Total Ascent

This is a beautiful walk with not too much climbing, even though there are hills all around us.

Setting off from the main street in Shap we take a field path to pass the Goggleby Stone, a ten ton monolith some 3,500 years old and then on to Shap Abbey. Built in around 1199 the Abbey has no roof but most of the outer shell still remains. After looking round the grounds we head in a northerly direction to the small village of Rosgill before continuing on to Bampton Grange. Passing through the churchyard we turn south and walk along the road for a while heading back to Rosgill, where we take the Coast to Coast path to Rayside on to Keld and back to Shap village.

The walk can be shortened if the weather is bad.

C Walk - Keld, Rosgill and Shap Abbey with Bob and Margaret

6 miles (9.7km) with 550ft (167m) Total Ascent

From the main street we turn left at the fire station and join a path that leads to the hamlet of Keld, we continue to Tailbert, up to Rayside where we join the coast to coast trail up to Rosgill (a steepish climb here but the views are well worth the effort). We then follow field paths to Shap Abbey where weather and time permitting we can look around the ruins. After which we continue along field paths back to Shap.

27/01/2019 Sunday Car - Ribchester / Haslam Park, Ashton

B Walk - Ribchester with Chris Cook

7½ miles (12km) Undulating

Meet at Ribchester main car park (Sat Nav PR3 3ZH), ready for the usual start time of 10.30am.

Leave the car park past the Ribchester Arms, and Almes Houses, into Duddel Wood then across the fields to Panstones Farm. We follow the road for a short spell to Head of Lee, then onto Goodshaw House from there to Hougher Fall Farm, down New Row to Seed Farm and Kellets Farm then straight (through fields) to Ribchester.

Lovely walk - HAPPY DAYS.

C Walk - Haslam Park & The Lancaster Canal with Bob Tognarelli

6½ miles (10.5km) with no hills to climb.

Meet at Haslam Park Car Park, on Bristow Ave, Ashton (Sat Nav PR2 1JE), ready for the usual start time of 10.30am.

We start the walk by going pass the duck pond (or it may be an ice rink) to find the path to the Lancaster canal. We will follow the canal towpath to Lea lane. Leaving the canal it’s a short walk along the Lea Lane to Lea Town. From here we walk along Darkinson Lane to find the footpath which will take us across fields to the Golf Course and the Guild Wheel. We now walk the path along side the Ribble Link back to Haslam Park.

It being January there is high good chance the walk will be muddy or icy or both in places.

16/01/2019 Stroller - Maple Leaf Café

Maple Leaf Café, Whitestake

No walk this month but a meal at The Maple Leaf Café, Duxburys Garden Centre, Whitestake (Sat Nav: PR4 4LB).

12.15pm for 12.30pm start.

13/01/2019 Coach Walk - Horton In Ribblesdale

8:00 start with 17:30 return

A Walk - Horton Humoresque with Sandra Robinson

13½ miles (22km) with 3000ft (915m) Total Ascent

Starting at stainforth we walk to catrigg force then on to fountains fell and penyghent, before heading back to Horton. 

B+ Walk - Ribblesdale Riot with Val Walmsley

10 miles (16km) with 1650ft (503m) Total Ascent

From Horton we follow paths to backbarrow before ascending penyghent. From here we make our way onto plover hill then descend to foxup moor and onto the pennine way, following it back to Horton.

B Walk - Brackenbottom Scar and Ribbleway with Chris Cook

8½ miles (13.6km) with 700ft (213m) Total Ascent

Leaving Horton we pass Brackenbottom as we head towards Pen-Y-Ghent. We then turn south to Mean Moss and Moor Head Lane where we change direction to head North West to Helwith Bridge to join the Ribble Way heading back to Horton.

HAPPY DAYS.

C Walk - Along the Ribble to Settle with Bob Tognarelli

This is a linear walk starting from Horton in Ribblesdale and ending in Settle. We will be walking along the banks of the Ribble where possible.

From the coach drop off (toilets available) we walk down the main road to St Oswald Church (built in around 1100). From here we cross fields to join the Ribbleway to Cragg Hill Farm and then on to Helwith Bridge (Lunch maybe). We now leave the Ribbleway, and a short easy climb gets us onto the Pennine Bridleway which leads to Little Stainforth. Taking a descending narrow road passed a caravan site we cross the Ribble and take a short climb to the charming village of Stainforth (toilets available). We now have to follow the main road (all downhill) for a short distance, before going across fields to Dog Hill Brow. We again cross over the Ribble and walk up a walled track to Stackhouse. Turning left onto the Pennine bridleway, we soon pick up the Ribbleway for the rest of the way into Settle and the bright lights of the Shops, Cafes and Pubs.

10/01/2019 Thursday Car - Great Eccleston

B Walk - Great Eccleston with Chris Airey

? miles (?km) with ?ft (?m) Total Ascent

Meet at St. Mary's Catholic chuch (Sat Nav: PR3 0XN), ready for the usual start time of 10.30am.

No Details Available.

16/12/2018 Coach Walk - Grange-Over-Sands

8:00 start with 16:30 return

A Walk - Whitbarrow & Hampsfell with Dave Colbert

11¾ miles (19km) with 2070ft (360m) Total Ascent

This walk is dedicated to the memory of Ken Brooks WCFA, who first led it way back in January 1998. It traverses two distinctive limestone hills of similar height and separated by the broad strath of the River Winster.

We start from Mill Side on the A590 west of Levens and seek out the meandering track through woodland to gain the plateau above Whitbarrow Scar, traversing this north-westward to the large summit cairn at Lord´s Seat (215m/706ft), the highest point on Whitbarrow with magnificent views all round. It´s then down to Witherslack Hall and the track leading through the wooded escarpment of Yewbarrow to the village of Witherslack. Our route continues across the Winster Valley to Lindale and an ascent of the slightly higher Hampsfell (222m/727ft), with its characteristic ‘Hospice’ view finder close to the summit. We finally descend to Grange and the coach by way of Spring Bank.

B+ Walk - Walks with Wolves with Kevin Poole

11½ miles (18.5km) with 1000ft (305m) Total Ascent

Starting at Grange-Over-Sands we head through Eggerslack Wood to Hampsfell. We then follow the Cistercian Way to and through Cartmel near Cark.

Next we head east to Allithwaite and south to Humphrey Head; 15th Century legend states this was the dwelling place of the last wolf in England. After soaking in the atmosphere, we stroll back to Grange-Over-Sands via the Cumbria Coastal Way.

B Walk - Grange-over-Sands and Cartmel with Chris Cook

8 miles (12.9km) with 800ft (244m) Total Ascent

From Grange we head up Windermere Road to find the path to Hampsfield Fell, from there through the woods to Hampsfield Farm. We then progress along the top of the ridge overlooking Morecambe Bay and surrounding country side with its panoramic views. We then continue to the Hospice and onto Cartmel where we re-trace our way back to Grange for a well earned glass of mulled wine or whatever refreshment you require.

HAPPY DAYS.

C Walk - Grange Grand Circular with Roy Smith

5¾ miles (9.2km) with 500ft (152m) Total Ascent

Starting from the ornamental lake we go promenading along Grange front. Once past the old Lido building we walk along the shore line until we are able to cross the railway line. We then follow the side of the railway to Kents Bank. From here we have a combination of green lanes, field track and road walking, until we get to the foot of Fell End. We now have a gradual climb (200 feet) towards Hampsfell. Weather permitting, after our climb we should have excellent views of the lakeland hills and Morecambe Bay. We now head eastwards and downhill, mainly via farm track, back to our start point and refreshments..

13/12/2018 Thursday Car - Garstang

B Walk - Flatliner with Chris Cook 

9½ miles (15.3km) with No Ascent

Meet at St Helen's church Car Park, Churchtown, Nr Garstang (Sat Nav: PR3 0HY), ready for the usual start time of 10.30am.

I'm calling this walk the Flatliner because there's not a hill in site, it´s mostly firm underfoot and unavoidably a little on the road.

From the car park we head south over the River Wyre to Myerscouth through the college and on to Bilsborrow where we join the canal. From there to Catterall where we cross the A6 and follow the River Wyre back to the car park.

HAPPY DAYS.