15/12/2019 Coach Walk - Hawkshead via Ambleside

December

8:00 Start with 16:30 (4:30pm) Return

A Walk - Ambleside Angover with Sandra Robinson

12 miles (19km) with 2500ft (762m) Total Ascent

Starting from Ambleside we ascend and do part of the fairfield horseshoe. From here we descend into the Scandale valley on our way back to Ambleside. 

B+ Walk - Latterbarrow and Lake Windermere with Dave Thornton

9.4miles (15.2km) with 1002ft (305m) Total Ascent.

We first head eastwards across fields to Colthouse and then start a gentle climb over a bridleway to Claife Heights. Heading north we reach the summit of Latterbarrow, a possible lunch stop. This hill, on the side of Windermere affords wonderful views of the water and the surrounding mountains. We leave Latterbarrow and head north east and then south east towards Long Heights and then descend to the lake shore at Belle Grange Bay. Heading northwards along the lake side we reach Wray Castle and then head back to Hawkshead via Blelham Tarn and Outgate.

Remember folks this is mid-December so the walk may need revising on the day.

There should be time to explore Hawkshead and have a look around the shops and possibly enjoy some liquid refreshment.

B Walk - Windermere to Ambleside via Orrest Head with Sheila Marsh

8½ miles (13.6km) with 1400ft (427m) Total Ascent

This is a linear walk starting from Windermere.

We start with a fairly steep climb up to Orrest Head, from where there are fine views of Lake Windermere and the surrounding fells. From here we head across country and through Limefitt Caravan Park to Troutbeck.

We ascend Robin Lane which is a long gradual climb, again with delightful views, passing Jenkins Cragg and then down into Ambleside where the coach will pick us up opposite Hayes Garden Centre.

C Walk - Ambleside Circular with Lesley & Peter

6.45 miles (10.1km) with 262ft (80m) Total Ascent

Today´s walk is circular, starting & ending in Ambleside. This is a moderately easy walk with good paths.

We begin by heading North to Rothay Park where we turn West and make our way to the footbridge over the River Rothay. Keeping the river on our right we follow the road to Pelter Bridge. Approaching Loughrigg Terrace we turn North through another small wood, then cross the bridge and continue to the Banner Rigg car park. Next we cross the A591, and begin to slowly climb (180ft) North West until we reach the path to Rydal (Coffin Trail). Here we turn East. If the weather is good, we will have a lovely the view of Rydal Water and Loughrigg Fell to our right, before reaching Rydal Hall and continuing down through Rydal Park.

Finally we follow the road back into Ambleside where there should be time for a refreshments and/or Christmas shopping. Lesley and I would like to wish you all a very Happy Christmas and a Healthy New Year.

12/12/2019 Thursday Car - Loud Valley, Longridge

B Walk - Loud Valley with Stuart Arnold

7½ miles (12km) with 300ft (91m) Total Ascent

Meet at Barnfold Out Barn (Sat Nav: PR3 2WH), ready for the usual start time of 10.30am.

We will start the walk at Barnsfold Outbarn, parking by kind permission of the farmer Mr Mark Shorrrock.

Initially we will walk up the road past Barns Lane Bottom Farm then across fields to Loud Bridge Farm. This is the first time we will see the river Loud as we cross Loud Higher Bridge. We will walk through the farm on to Mosserley, Crossnapend, Hough Clough, Richmond House past Handlesteads Farm and onto the road at Cold Coates. Down the road and through fields to reach Woodgates on Startifants Lane. It is in this area that we pass an old barn which stores old horse traps and even an old horse drawn milk float We then take in Higher Core Farm, Blindhurst and Lower Core Farm. We then pass Watery Gate, Wood Acre and across fields to Rigg Farm, Carwags dropping down off the shoulder of Beacon Fell through the Carp Fishery at Woodfold and down through Stoneyfold Farm back to our starting point. This is a superb country walk with views and place names to savour. We may also have the opportunity to view the trout fishing on Barnsfold Reservoirs.

04/12/2019 Stroller - Christmas Meal

No walk this month.

Christmas meal at Ye Olde Hob Inn, Bamber Bridge, (Sat Nav: PR5 6EP).

Meet 12:15am for 12:30pm.

Cost : 2 courses £19.50, 3 courses £22.50.

Pre booking essential by 25th November.

To book contact Roy Smith (Telephone number on programme).

Email: strollers@pdwc.org.

01/12/2019 Sunday Car - Cuerden Valley

B Walk - Cuerden Valley Park with Sheila Marsh

7 miles (11.3km) with minimal Ascent

Meet at the car park next to the Motorway bridge on A49 Wigan Road (Sat Nav: PR5 6AS - nearest post code), ready for the usual start time of 10.30am.

This is a circular walk taking us from the pay and display car park on the A49 into Cuerden Valley and back.

From the car park we head down and over the river Lostock towards the lake.

We eventually leave the park to go past the Ley Inn and towards Lisieux Hall before returning to Cuerden Valley and back to the car park.

C Walk - Cuerden Valley Park with Bob Tognarelli

4-5 miles (6.4-8km) with little Climbing

Meet at the car park next to the M65 motorway bridge on A49 Wigan Road. On the left coming from Bamber Bridge it is just after going under the motorway. On the right just before the motorway bridge if travelling towards Bamber Bridge (PR5 6BY - nearest post code), ready for the usual start time of 10.30am.

Meet at car, where it´s a pay and display park, £2.20 for 4hrs. So we have to make sure we are back in time to leave the car park before our 4 hours are up. Feedback seems to indicate the car park managers are very strict on over staying your time.

We will make our way up to the hall and roam around the Hall garden and woods. From here we will descent down to the River Lostock and follow the paths to Sheep Hill lane. Possibly lunch here. If it looks like we have the time the walk could be extended further along the river to Lower Kern Mill Remains. Then back to Sheep Hill lane so as not to miss a good climb.

Now we climb Sheep Hill lane, an invigorating climb it will be, to reach Cam lane. We follow Cam Lane for a while before turning left to the reservoir and the picnic area. Once passed the picnic area it´s a short path back to the car park.

20/11/2019 Stroller - Top Lock

Top Lock 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 Top Lock, Kenyon Lane, Wheelton (Sat Nav: PR6 8LT), then afterwards at the Top Lock.

17/11/2019 Coach Walk - Grassington

8:00 start with 17:30 return

A Walk - Hebden with Stuart Drysdale

12 miles (19km) with 1,700ft (518m) Total Ascent

From the coach we head up Grassington´s main street and take High Lane and field paths to Hebden, where we turn north along Hebden Beck, crossing it to gain Edge Top, then dropping down to re-cross the beck and continue to the Duke´s New Road. We follow this heading roughly north to Mossdale Scar and the Bycliffe Road and head west until we meet the Dales Way which takes us back to Grassington for refreshments and the coach home.  

B+ Walk - Cracoe Fell with Susan Banister

10 miles (16km) with 1200ft (365m) Total Ascent

We get off the coach at Rylstone and join a bridleway which takes us on a steady climb up Sun Moor Hill to High Bark. The remains of Norton Tower will be visible a little way off to the south.

The 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 from below. The war memorial on 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 now take us down to the River Wharfe where we follow the Dales Way for a couple of miles passing Linton Falls and up to Grassington village.

B Walk - Conistone with Dorothy Dobson

8 miles (12.9km) with 1200ft (366m) Total Ascent

This is a lovely walk with superb open views all around.

We leave the coach park to go along the main street before bearing left at Chapel Street to follow a good track for three miles along the Dalesway. As we cover the first mile there are traces of Medieval villages and Settlements although nothing can be seen! We continue until reaching a point where four paths cross, this is where we leave the Dalesway to head east along Bycliffe Road to Kelker, our highest point. We now go south for approximately two miles to meet up with Old Moor Lane at Yarnbury. After a short while along the road we take a footpath on the right to go through a small plantation and back to Grassington.

C Walk - Grassington Gallop with Roy Smith

5 miles (8km) with 500ft (152m) Total Ascent

The walk today is a circular walk from Grassington.

From the visitor centre we make our way into Grassington and follow the main street uphill and passed the Town Hall, until we arrive at Edge Lane (most of the climbing now complete). We walk along the lane, more a farm track than anything else, until we arrive at Garnshaw House. From here we move downhill to the village of Hebden. Walking through the village we carry on down hill to the River Warfe and the Dales Way. Our route now takes us back to Grassington, along the Dales Way stopping to view Linton Falls on the way.

14/11/2019 Thursday Car - Rivington Pike and Winter Hill

B Walk - ‘There and back to see how far it is’ with Dave Thornton

8½ miles (13.5km) with 1035ft (315m) Total Ascent

Meet at Rivington Hall Barn Car Park (Sat Nav: BL6 7SB Map Ref: GR 633145), ready for the usual start time of 10.30am.

The walk starts using stony tracks to ascend through Lever Park and includes Lord Leverhulme's ornamental gardens. After following a zig-zag route we head northwards to the western slopes of Rivington Moor which we climb in an easterly direction to reach the summit which should afford stunning views of the surrounding countryside. After passing the TV mast we follow the summit road to Pike cottage and return to the car park via the tower on Rivington Pike.

If there is low cloud I have an alternative walk planned which will include the tower and Rivington reservoirs.

03/11/2019 Sunday Car - Clougha Pike

B Walk - Clougha Pike with Stuart Arnold

8 miles (12.9km) with 500ft (152m) Total Ascent

Meet at Jubilee Tower, Clougha Access area (Sat Nav: LA2 9HJ), ready for the usual start time of 10.30am.

This is a circular route starting and finishing at Jubilee tower on the Trough of Bowland road about a mile out of Quenmore. We will not be climbing Clougha Pike as on a recent recce the underfoot conditions were atrocious. If the weather is fine and we have had a dry spell I could be persuaded but it is unlikely. Instead we will walk down through Westfield house round Damas Gill reservoir and on to Booth Hall Farm.

On this tour of the Quernmore area we will cross Damas Gill at Heversham House, Sparrow Gill at the bottom of Waste Wood and Smithy Beck at Borwicks before our return back through Westfield House. This is an interesting walk in an area probably not covered before and therefore should be of interest to all.

20/10/2019 Coach Walk - Eyam via Snake Pass

8:00 start with 17:30 return

A Walk - Higger Tor and Froggatt Edge with Dave Colbert

12 miles (20km) with 2350ft (720m) Total Ascent

The River Derwent meanders its way south from Ladybower Reservoir overlooked to the east by a lengthy gritstone escarpment, part of which we will traverse on this walk.

Starting from Hathersage we first climb to Higger Tor, turning south to the hill fort of Carl Wark on Hathersage Moor and Toad´s Mouth Rock. It´s then through the Longshaw Country Park, where our route crosses the line of the 3.5 mile Totley Tunnel, second longest on the UK´s rail network, to reach Froggatt Edge. This leads to Curbar Edge and a steep descent through Curbar village to the River Derwent. A short length of river walking takes us to New Bridge, from where we head westwards to Stoney Middleton and Eyam. 

B+ Walk - Peter and the Boundary Stone's with Kevin Poole

10 miles (16.1km) with 1150ft (351m) Total Ascent

Starting in Eyam we head west following a lane through a maze of drystone walls. Foolow and Silly Dale :) are avoided by turning south to Wardlow past the landmark Peters Stone. We gain higher ground, pass Hey farm and on to Longstone Moor. At Stoney Middleton a short climb takes us past one of the famous Boundary Stones and back into Eyam for refreshments and the coaches. 

B Walk - Plagiarism with Chris Cook

8 miles (12.87km) with 1000ft (304.8m) Total Ascent

We walk through Eyam, passing Bradshaw Hall to Tidswell Lane where we find a track across fields to Foolow. Arriving in Foolow we bear right at the Bulls Head to climb a long slow hill on the road to Bretton (unfortunately the footpath we should have taken has been closed due to a sink hole!). We bear left at the Barrel Inn at Bretton where we have superb views all around before taking a path down to Stoke Ford. From here we climb over Eyam Moor to Sir William Hill Road where we gradually descent to the historic and picturesque village of Eyam.

Hopefully there should be enough time to look around here.

HAPPY DAYS!

C Walk - Eyam via the Derwent Valley with Joyce Bradbury

6½ miles (10.46km) with 532ft (163m) Total Ascent

Leaving the coach at Hathersage (free unisex toilets) we follow the Derwent Valley Trail on minor roads and field tracks to Grindleford. We cross a main road here then more field tracks and a roughish stretch through a wood bring us to Froggat Bridge. We now have to get up to Eyam.(Pronounced eem). First we have a rather steep climb on field paths to a busy road. We cross the road and follow more field paths to Stoney Middleton. From here we continue along a track which rises steadily to Eyam.

Many of the older buildings here have plaques giving the number of deaths and survivors during the village´s self-isolation during the plague. There are two cafes and a pub at the beginning of the village but the distance given is for the coach park at the far end.

16/10/2019 Stroller - Witton Country Park

Witton Country Park with Barry Hayhurst

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 in the main entrance car park (Sat Nav: BB2 2TB), then afterwards at at the Houghton Arms , Withnell (Sat Nav: PR6 8BL).

Witton Country Park is situated within 480 acres of woodland, playing fields and farm land.

From the car park (charge applies 50p to £1.50) we head towards the Pavilion, toilets available. Passing the Arena athletics track. From here we cross playing fields to cross the bridge over the River Darwen and follow its course joining a short section of The Witton Weavers Way, encountering some “ornamental art work” on our way to Butlers Bridge. Crossing fields we cross over Tower Road walking along the edge of woodlands next to playing fields into a short section of woodland through to another field. Which eventually brings us out to “The Wits”, an adventure playground which the more adventurous of us can spend sometime being “adventurous”. In the mean time the rest of us will make our way to the old stables and coach house (the only surviving parts of Witton House) to see the animals. From here we make our way to the ornamental lily pond via an avenue on Yew trees (that need some attention), eventually making our way back to the car park .