30/10/2022 Sunday Car - Hoghton & Samlesbury Bottoms

B Walk - Hoghton & Samlesbury Bottoms with Dorothy Dobson

Park far end Chapel Lane immediately after Boars Head, Hoghton (Sat Nav: PR5 0RX), ready for the usual start time of 10.30am.

We take a track to Bolton Hall, then through fields to walk by River Darren to reach Samlesbury Bottoms. After a short steep climb we reach the Nabs Head. We then go down Further Lane before heading south passing Woodfield Hall, again through fields to an old track. We descend into a wood where another steep climb leads us to the Witton Weavers Way at Close Farm, to arrive at Hoghton Bottoms. Another steep hill and back to Chapel Lane.

19/10/2022 Stroller - Cottam

Cottam with Bob Tognarelli

Nearly 3 miles with no Climbing but a few gates to negotiate.

Each Mid-Week Stroller walk has a destination providing a venue for drinks / snacks / meals etc and starts at 10:30am.

Meet on the car park of the Ancient Oak Pub, (Sat Nav: PR4 0NZ) on Merrytrees Lane, Cottam, off Tom Benson Way, then afterwards at the Ancient Oak Pub.

The Pub does not open until 11am so we may not have toilets available at start of walk. Crossing a footbridge we pick up the path through the green spaces, leading down to the to the canal and the Whistle Stop Cafe. We continue along the path next to the canal up to the new housing estates. Here we turn away from the canal to follow the many meandering paths back to Merrytrees Lane. Now to find and follow the Guild wheel for a short distance before turning left along a tree line path which takes us back to the start.

Refreshments will be in the Ancient Oak Pub.

16/10/2022 Coach - Coniston via Tover

8:00 start with 17:30 return

A Walk - Dow Crag and Coniston Old Man with Graham Hogg

11 miles (17.5km) with 3400ft (1030m) Total Ascent

Today affords us the opportunity for a fine high level ridge walk across the Coniston Fells (provided we are fortunate enough to avoid an encounter with prevailing south westerly gale force winds on Dow Crag - some of you may remember this experience from a previous A walk with this club!).

From Torver we will climb to join the Walna Scar Road and follow this to Brown Pike and Buck Pike before reaching the summit of Dow Crag (778m).

From here a quick descent to Goats Hawse is followed by an immediate climb up to Coniston Old Man at 803m. Weather permitting, we will walk the ridge north to Swirl How, descend the Prison Band and return to Coniston via Levers Water and the Coppermines Valley. 

B+ Walk - Blawith Fells with Meriel Nutter

11 miles (17.7km) with 1000ft (305m) Total Ascent

Leave the coach at Torver. Take a minor road south westerly for about 2 miles to Haveriggholme at the road end. The terrain is now a mixture of good paths and rough, potentially boggy areas. Continue south on a track taking the left fork onto a bridleway to DryHaw Wood. Just after fording a small stream go left onto a path south east for a short distance continuing right onto another bridleway.

Just before another ford take a path cut through the bracken ascending to the col between Coulter Stone and Wool Knott then descending to Beacon Tarn, watch out for wild swimmers! Turn North alongside the tarn onto the Cumbria way which we follow all the way to the lake and into Coniston.

B Walk - Walna Scar Road with Stuart Arnold

8 miles (12.9km) with 1150ft (362m) Total Ascent

From the car park in Coniston we make a slow leisurely ascent up Church Beck towards Crowberry Haws. We then take the path between Stubthwaite Crag and the Bell to Walna Scar Road, which we follow for about a mile.

On leaving Walna Scar Road we make a gradual descent alongside Torver Beck via some disused quarries to Crook. After crossing the A593 we walk towards Brackenbarrow Farm and then through Torver Common Wood to Hoathwaite Landing to join the Cumbria way and make our way back to Coniston along the side of the lake.

C Walk - Torver and Back with Judith Kirby

Starting from Coniston we make our way to Haws Bank on the A593. From this point we break off south west and follow well marked tracks that take us gradually up hill towards Torver Beck. During this part of the walk we are afforded fine views of Coniston water. In due course we arrive at Torver Beck having completed all our climbing for the day. We now commence our descent, initially along the side of Torver Beck eventually moving away from the Beck to emerge once again on the A593 at Little Arrow.

A short walk along the disused railway takes us to the path that leads through Torver Common Wood and down to Coniston Water. Our walk continues alongside the lake, eventually returning to the finish at Coniston.

13/10/2022 Thursday Car - Dolphinholme

B Walk - Dolphinholme with Dorothy Dobson

7½ miles (11km) with minimal climbing.

Meet at Village Hall, Dolphinholme (Sat Nav: LA2 9AJ), ready for the usual start time of 10.30am.

From the car park we walk down to the village before taking a wooded path to Corless Mill. We cross the River Wyre and continue along the road for a while to pass through the tiny hamlet of Street.

Climbing a tad we pass Bracken Lea and Lane Head. Soon we hope to have good views of Morecambe Bay, Black Combe and beyond. After reaching Swainshead Hall we descend to the river to pick up the Wyre Way to walk through fields to arrive back in Dolphinholme.

02/10/2022 Sunday Car - Bilsborrow / Crook of Lune

B Walk - Bilsborrow with Sheila Marsh & Norah Boyle

7½ miles (12km) with no climbing

Meet at Guys Thatched Hamlet, Bilsborrow (Sat Nav: PR3 0RS), ready for the usual start time of 10.30am.

Park near to the cricket pitches (away from the buildings).

This walk is on the canal towpath and farm fields, but it can be muddy!

C Walk - Crook of Lune with Roy Smith

5½ miles (8.9km) with Minimal Ascent

Meet at the car park at the Crook of Lune, Low Road, Halton (Sat Nav: LA2 9HU), ready for the usual start time of 10.30am.

Starting our walk from the car park we follow the disused railway line towards Caton. Beyond Ellers Farm we leave the disused line and follow farm track and field track along the side of the River Lune until we get to the Waterworks bridge, which we cross to make our way through woodland, towards Halton Green. We now follow again the River Lune, passing the hydroelectricity pumping station, until we reach Halton. At Halton we cross back over the River Lune and follow the track of the disused railway, the Lune Valley Ramble, back to our starting point.

22/08/2022 Stroller - Squire Andertons Wood

Squire Andertons Wood with Bill & Marie

Each Mid-Week Stroller walk has a destination providing a venue for drinks / snacks / meals etc and starts at 10:30am.

Meet at car park behind Anderton Arms (Tesco), Longsands Lane, Fulwood, Preston (Sat Nav: PR2 9PS), then afterwards at the Anderton Arms.

18/09/2022 Coach Walk - Keswick & Braithwaite

September

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

A Walk - Grisdale Pike & Crag Hill with Dave Colbert

9½ miles (15km) with 4,130ft (1,260m) Total Ascent

Two steep-sided, parallel ridges extend westward from the Newlands valley to Lorton Vale, Grisedale Pike lying towards the eastern end of the northern and Crag Hill towards the western end of the southern. Joined at the broad col of Coledale Hause, they surround the glacial valley of Coledale Beck to the south-west of Braithwaite, the high level circuit of which is one of the classic hikes in the Lake District. On all previous occasions, we have walked the route clockwise, so just for something completely different, today we will walk it anti-clockwise!

Starting from Braithwaite, a lengthy climb by way of Kinn and Sleet How takes us up to Grisedale Pike (791m/2,595ft), from where we traverse the undulating ridge to Hopegill Head (770m/2,525ft), arguably the finest ‘Wainwright’ on this walk and certainly the sharpest. It´s then down to Coledale Hause over the minor top of Sand Hill and up again to Crag Hill, at 839m/2,753ft our highest fell of the day. A narrow and exposed traverse to Sail precedes a long descent to High Moss, from where we will ascend Outerside (568m/1,863ft) before descending back to Braithwaite from the minor top of Stile End (not a ‘Wainwright’).

Please note that weather conditions (strong winds and/or heavy rain) on the day may necessitate an alternative, lower level hike. 

B+ Walk - Cat Bells with Dave Thornton

9½ miles (15.3km) with 1400ft (427m) Total Ascent

Cat Bells has been climbed many times over the years by members of the club. It offers some excellent views of the Lake District.

Starting from Braithwaite 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 here we can 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, through Fawe Park to Portinscale. From here we will turn east into Keswick where we will be picked up by the coaches.

B Walk - Cumbria Way & Blease Fell with Dorothy Dobson

8½ miles (13.6km) with 1100ft (335m) Total Ascent

I led this walk a few years ago and I think it merits a return visit as the scenery is slmply breathtaking.

We leave the coach on the A66 road at Threlkeld and walk in a westward direction, passing through the hamlet of Wescoe before heading north through fields to the Blencathra Centre. Here we join a good wide path walking along a valley between Lonsdale Fell And Blease Fell, before reaching the Cumbria Way. We now turn south on yet another good path on its undulating route into Keswick for refreshments before returning to the coach.

C Walk - Braithwaite to Keswick with Sylvia Rymer & Barbara Malloy

6½ miles (10.4km) with 263ft (80m) Total Ascent

Leaving Braithwaite in a SE direction towards Little Braithwaite we join the riverside footpath by Newlands Beck which leads us to Stair. We continue down to Rowling End Farm and cross over the beck towards Ghyll Bank. We follow the footpath to Skelgill and then walk by the side of Cat Bells to join the Cumbria Way.

The Cumbria Way takes us up to Keswick but we will make a detour to Lingholm and Nichol End.

08/09/2022 Thursday Car - Rivington

B Walk - Rivington with Dave Thornton

8½ miles (13.6km) with negligible Ascent

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

Heading westwards towards Rivington we walk up the eastern side of upper Rivington reservoir and on reaching the top of Anglezarke reservoir we follow the western side until we reach Horobin Lane where we take the footpath to Liverpool castle and then its about a mile back to the car park.

04/09/2022 - Sunday Car - Wheelton

C Walk - A circular walk from Wheelton with Jean Gabbatt

6 to 7 miles (9.7 to 11km) with minimal climbing.

Meet at Wheelton village centre by the war memorial (Sat Nav: PR6 8EY), ready for the usual start time of 10.30am.

Leaving the village via Victoria Street we will cross the A674 and walk halfway up Briers Brow to cut off along a footpath and over a series of fields to Logwood Mill Farm. From there we will take an access road and drop down to a path by a stream which we will follow to reach White Coppice.

Skirting the cricket pitch we will then walk towards the centre of the hamlet and take a footbridge which passes a chain of ponds well-loved by anglers. Emerging onto a country lane we will cross it and follow a second field track to a railway bridge before veering left, across open land and woodland, to the A674. Crossing this road, we will head for the canal tow path climbing Johnson's Hillock with its seven locks.

This will takes us to Top Lock Inn where there are two routes back to Wheelton. The shortest of these follows the road to the war memorial. The second option takes the tow path to the next bridge and up a track to a higher road leading into the village centre.

21/08/2022 Coach Walk - Bakewell

8:00 start with 17:30 return

A Walk - Monsal Trail, Cressbrook Dale & Longstone Moor with Dave Colbert

13½ miles (22km) with 1800ft (550m) Total Ascent

A meandering hike across the White Peak including a couple of sections of the Monsal Trail, unfrequented dales and a moorland high point.

We start from Lees Bottom mid-way between Taddington and Ashford in the Water and climb up above Monsal Dale before descending to the viaduct at Monsal Head. Here we join the Monsal Trail and head north-westward along the track bed of the former Midland Railway line through Cressbrook Tunnel (471yds) and Litton Tunnel (516yds) before dropping down into Millers Dale at Litton Mill.

A gradual climb through Tideswell Dale takes us close to the small settlement of Litton and a short descent through Tansley Dale into Cressbrook Dale. Almost immediately we climb out to the village of Wardlow and then around to Longstone Moor, at 395m/1,296ft one of the highest points hereabouts. It´s then south by way of Little Longstone to re-join the Monsal Trail east of Monsal Head; this will take us all the way to Bakewell with no further climbing! 

B+ Walk - Stanton Moor with Sue Banister

11 miles (17.5km) with 1083ft (330m) Total Ascent

Todays walk is a little longer than the B+ guidelines but isn´t too strenuous in the way of climbing.

The start of the walk takes us across the A6, up past the cemetery and south to Conksbury Bridge. We then follow the River Lathkill to the beautiful little village of Alport. From here we cross fields and drop down to the B5056 which we unfortunately have to walk along for half a mile.

We then begin a climb up to Birchover and onwards to the top of Stanton Moor (1060ft, 323m) with hopefully some good views of the Derbyshire countryside. We pass the Cork Stone, which can be climbed if anyone fancies it! and will have a look at the Nine Ladies Bronze Age Stone Circle.

From here we head down to the village of Stanton in Peak then north to Haddon Hall. After a short stretch along the A6 we follow paths along the River Wye back to Bakewell.

B Walk - Derwent Heritage Trail with Chris Cook

9 miles (15km) with 900ft (274m) Total Ascent

We leave Bakewell to begin a short, steep climb up Castle Hill, crossing the golf course, passing Black cross Farm and on to Edensor Forest. Leaving the forest we have beautiful views of golden wheat fields and anlmals grazing in the luscious green fields. We then reach the superb vlllage of Edensor (I will tell the tale of Edensor on the day), from there we have magnificent views of Chatsworth House and grounds.

It is from here we pick up the Derwent Heritage Trail where we walk by the river to Carlton Lees, through fields and paths to Rowsley Still. On good paths we head west towards Bouns Corner, Bowling Green Farm and Haddon Hall Park, eventually following the river Wye and back to the coach.

HAPPY DAYS.

C Walk - Bakewell Circular with Sylvia Rymer & Barbara Malloy

6½ miles (10.5km) with 266ft (81m) Total Ascent

We make our way out of Bakewell passing the Parish church. Turning off by St Anselm´s School we walk down through Endcliff wood to meet the A6. We cross over the A6 to join a path following the River Wye towards Ashford in the Water. There will be time to look around this very attractive village and stop for lunch (Toilets available in the village).

We go a short distance up the B6465, with care as there is no pavement, before joining a path up to the Monsal Trail. We walk easterly along the trail towards Hassop Station. Just before the station, we turn off the trail and make our way south down towards Bakewell on an undulating path. A short walk by the river brings us back to the car park.