Coach - 3rd October Kirkby Stephen via Garsdale (Yorkshire Dales) |
Wild Boar Fell with Dave Colbert 12 miles (19.3km) with 2000ft (610m) Total Ascent. There is something of the Cairngorms about Wild Boar Fell - not the eponymous Wild Boar (or should that be Wilde Bore??) though they may well have roamed Am Monadh Ruadh, but the vastness of the place, a massive upland plateau that contrasts starkly with the adjacent Howgill Fells to the west. Starting from Cotegill Bridge on the B6259, north of Garsdale Head, we ascent Swarth Fell alongside Far Cote (coyote?) Gill before heading northwards to Wild Boar Fell. The ridge continues to Little Fell and a descent of High Intake Gill to High Cocklake near Pendragon Castle (who named these places?), the latter in legend, the ancient abode of King Arthur's father, Uther Pendragon. We then follow the River Eden to Kirkby Stephen via various ruins, fortified farms and the like, eventually crossing Frank Gillibrand's bridge into the town! |
Hartley Fell with Dave Thornton 10 miles (16km) with 2000ft (610m) Ascent. Starting in Kirkby Stephen we follow the coast to coast path which takes us to Hartley and then along a quiet cul-de-sac past the quarry. We then go along a bridle way and a well defined footpath up to 9 Standards Rigg. After this we head south for a short distance and then north west over a boggy area which brings us back to the bridle way which we leave to go to Ladthwaite, Ewbank Scar and then the old railway track back to Hartley where we follow the footpaths to Kirkby Stephen. |
Pendragon Castle with Tony Ingham 10½ miles (16.9km) with 800ft (245m) Ascent. The walk leaves Kirkby Stephen and proceeds south along the valley of the River Eden, passing Wharton Hall (mid 16th century), Lammerside Castle (14th century) and Birkett Common before eventually reaching Pendragon Castle (12th century) after 5 miles of gently undulating walking. The first part of the return leg starts with a half mile climb along the Tommy Road before levelling off and heading north to pass under the Settle to Carlisle railway (the highest and most costly to be built in England). After another mile the walk heads down to the river again and leads back to Kirkby Stephen through Stenkrith Park. |
The Kirkby Stevie Wander with Lesley & Alison 5½ miles (8.9km) with 155ft (508m) Ascent. We begin our walk from the car park in Kirby Stephen. From the High Street we make our way to Franks Bridge (with a brief toilet stop on the way).. After the crossing the bridge we follow the River Eden South to the Ford. Here we veer left up a gentle hill to a bridge over the dismantled railway and then we continue along a track to the woods above Ladthwaite Beck. Staying on the higher path we head to Lockthwaite where we turn south westish across the fields to the B6270. Turning right we have a very short road walk before taking a path on our left just before the pretty village of Nateby. This path crosses yet more fields, down to the B6259. After another short road walk we turn south west to Mire Close Bridge , crossing the River Eden once more. From here we begin our journey back into Kirby Stephen, passing the impressive Wharton Hall and its Tower on the way. The path directly North leads us to the River Eden once more. We then follow the course of the river which meanders back towards the village where there are several shops and places to purchase refreshments. This is a leisurely walk with a number of small/moderate stiles. Although the total climbing is 508 feet, there are only two small climbs, as the rest is spread very gradually over three or so miles. On a clear day, there are lovely views of the surrounding countryside. |
14th October - Thursday Barnoldswick (Pendle area) |
Barnoldswick with Eric Jackson 7½ miles (12km) with 400ft (122m) Total Ascent.. Meet at Greenberfield Locks car park SD889482 ready for the usual start time of 10.30am. The car park on the day of my recce was quite busy and car parking spaces limited so please share cars where possible. To start, a nice level walk along the canal towards East Marton as far as the Pennine Way. We leave the canal to follow the Pennine Way south to the village of Thornton in Craven and take a short road walk to join the Pendle Way path at the church. We make our way south to Kay Field Farm then down to the canal at Cockshott Bridge returning via Barnoldswick to our starting point at the locks. |
Coach - 17th October Glenridding via Kirkstone Pass (Lake District) |
Screes to St Sunday Crag with Graham Hogg 9 miles (14.5km) with 3281ft (1000m) Total Ascent. No gentle start to this A walk I'm afraid - we start climbing as soon as we get off the coaches at the top of the Kirkstone Pass. It's a 1050ft/320 metre climb, straight up Kilnshaw Chimney to the top of Red Screes at 2546ft/776 metres. After a short rest we push on to Dove Crag, Hart Crag and then Fairfield at 2864ft/873 metres. This is a good vantage point to see the next part of our route which proceeds to Cofa Pike and then over the long whale back ridge of St. Sunday Crag. From here we descend into Grisedale and make our way to Glenridding and the coaches. |
Hallin Fell with Tony Ingham 10 miles (16.1km) with 2500ft (762m) Ascent. We leave the coaches at Patterdale and ascend to Boredale Hause (1150f/351m). We turn east here and continue climbing to Bedafell Knott (1600ft/488m). At this point we descend into Martindale and follow Howegrain Beck northwards to our main objective of the day - Hallin Fell. We climb to the top (1271ft/387m) and enjoy superb views over Ullswater. After descending we follow Boredale Beck southwards to the head of the valley and climb over it reaching 1300ft/396m in the process. This leads us back to Boredale Hause from where we descend to Patterdale to be picked up by the coaches. |
Boredale Hause and Sandwick with Bill Manning 8½ miles (13.7km) with 1200ft (366m) Ascent. Together with the B+ party we start our walk from Patterdale post office (toilets available). We leave the A592 and go along the lane to Rooking to start our climb to Boredale Hause. We make for Boredale Head where we descend on a rocky path into the valley to reach a tarmac road. We follow this for about 2 miles before coming to Beckside. A left turn here along an undulating path brings us to the shore of Ullswater. We continue the walk to Silver Bay where we take the lower path shortly to reach Side Farm. Leaving the farm we reach the A592 which leads us to Glenridding for the coaches and cafes. |
A Tale of Two Valleys with Stephen Watson 5 miles (8km) with 500ft (152m) Ascent. Investigating both Glenridding and Grisedale valleys today we can see the typical formation of Glacial Valleys. Stick close if you want to hear about some of the history and geology of the area. We start our walk from the car park in Glenridding (toilets available) and head along Greenside Road beneath the impressive Glenridding Screes to the disused mines. Here we will have time to take a look around before moving on. Crossing a footbridge over Glenridding Beck we take the higher path on the south side of the valley, gradually gaining height as we go. A short climb, taken at your own pace, will reward us with super views over Ullswater and autumn colours of the countryside (take your camera!) before we visit the well known Lanty's Tarn. As we leave the leafy tarn we will have a high view of the neighbouring Grisedale Valley before descending to its floor. Gather some twigs for a quick game of Pooh Sticks as we cross Grisedale Beck before we follow the minor road to Patterdale. The main road for the last half mile or so can be avoided by taking permitted pathways through the woodland back to Glenridding and the welcoming tearooms and eateries. Please note: My walks are taken at an easy and sedate pace for the enjoyment of all. Climbing is undertaken at your own pace and we regroup before moving on. This also gives us chance to take in the views and soak up the atmosphere of the area and learn a little of its history and geology. Other walks are available if you feel this is not for you. Anyone rushing off ahead will be kneecapped! |
20th October - Stroller Bilsborrow |
Canals & Rivers 2 to 3 miles with Little Climbing. Each Mid-Week Stroller walk has a destination providing a venue for drinks / snacks / meals etc. Meet at Guy's Court at 10.30am. Bus from Preston Bus Station, stand 12, bus number 40 or 41. On the hour and every half hour. |
31th October - Sunday Calder Vale / Wrea Green |
Calder Vale (Garstang area) with Chris Metcalfe 9 miles (14.5km) with 700ft (213m) cumulative Ascent. We meet at Mill Square for the usual start time of 10.30am. Starting at the Mill Square in Calder Vale (limited parking so car share please) our walk will take us from Calder Vale via footpaths and farm roads to Bleasdale with a return through part of the Brock Valley. With a detour to see the Bleasdale Circle, visit Bleasdale Church, walk along part of the Roman Road from Ribchester to Lancaster and a refreshment (& toilet) stop at Cobble Hey Gardens we will have a very interesting day. The bulk of the walking will be easy but slightly more challenging in the Brock Valley. There will also be limited toilet facilities at lunch time. Bring your cameras to capture the Autumn colours and as it will be Halloween you never know what else!! Don't forget to put your clocks back the previous night. |
Wrea Green (Kirkham area) with Derek Lowe 5½ miles (8.9km) with no climbing. We meet at the village green for the usual start time of 10.30am. This is one of Cyril Spiby's walks and when I tried it at the first attempt with Alice we got lost. (Oh happy days! So hopefully ----!) We make our way to Mill Lane to reach Shepherd's Farm where we go straight ahead to follow a track. At the end of the track we cross two fields and a footbridge, then another field to reach the railway line which we cross to arrive at North Farm. We continue through the farmyard to take a track on our left then, bearing left, we cross a field to come out at Moss Side. Here we turn right and follow the road for 1½ miles to reach Eastham Hall. We turn left at the caravan site road, go over a stile on our right, and follow the path over the railway until we reach Huck Lane. Here we turn left to follow a track to Cartmel Lane where, turning right, we follow the road for ½ mile. Here we take a footpath on our left, cross two fields and, when we reach the main road, Wrea Green is to our right. |