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| Distance: |
5 miles |
| Time: |
2.5 Hours |
| Height: |
1175 feet |
| Difficulty: |
Some hard slogging, boggy bits, and
beer easily quaffed. |
| Scenery: |
Beautiful, sweeping dales, streams,
wildlife, and a delightful little village |
| Location: |
Start SD 939471 |
| Maps: |
Outdoor leisure 21. South Pennines. |
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1
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Park
in the lay-by at SD 939472 and walk downhill to the footpath across
the road. Access to the Penine Way is at SD 939471 indicated here
by a wooden gate and sign. Head west towards Pinhaw Beacon, passing
an abundance of heather and variety of grasses on both sides. |
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2
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You
should soon see the Trig point coming into view directly in front
of you. Pass here at SD 944472 and continue this path admiring the
view. A sign on the earth over to your left requests you to keep to
the Pennine way...go forward. |
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3
|
Reaching
the corner of a dry stone wall, edge to the left, keeping the wall
on your right, and beware of boggy ground in this area for some considerable
yards. There are two sets of boardwalk to help you (supposedly) over
the worst of the mud. You have done your first mile at this point.
The wall on your right comes to an end, and the path turns sharp right
...follow this down to a stone stepped stile with it's small hinged
wooden gate, (seen here,) go over this, and continue on; keeping the
wall on your right. |
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4
|
You
will pass an industrial area on your left...eventually finding yourself
funnelled into a gap between two high walls either side of you. At
the end go over this pictured stone stile, then down the lane (not
right towards the farm) and at the bottom, cross over the B road (after
passing a Pennine way sign.) Climb the stile in front of you, SD 957469
noticing as you do, the farmhouse and outhouses in the far distance,
the pathway to the right of the farm as well as the electricity mast
at the top of the hill beyond it. This is where you are heading for
next. |
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5
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Move
towards a five bar gate directly ahead of you and not to the right.
A stile with wood posts (pictured here) is next, ignore the direction
arrow to the right once over this, but carry straight on instead.
Keep to the left as much as possible here. Walk towards a wall on
your left and eventually on a path ...a small ravine appears over
on your right. |
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6
|
Appearing
in front of you (pictured), is a two stepped stone stile to the right
of the gate. Go over this and into the gully, keeping as best you
can to the left. This is a very boggy area and needs a certain
amount of care when dry, but if there are really wet conditions, take
care not to lose your boots! You have then to veer right...at this
point...make your way to the right wall side straight away, and then
head on up. I found this a very taxing climb. Pass the farm on your
left, watch out for the magnificent views over to your right, and
behind you. On reaching the pathway, turn right and follow it upwards.
You have now done two miles! |
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7
|
The
lane curves sharply to the left, and within 75 yards you reach a three
stepped stile over on the right, seen here. SD 964464. Go over this
and follow the dry stone wall on your left till it's end. Turn left
and go towards the metal gate. Should you wish to, you may try and
seek out three rather unusual carved milestones, one hidden against
the wall, before you leave the field. The others on the gate... At
the road, turn right. Follow it (Babyhouse Lane,) all the way downhill,
and the crossroads ahead will be signposted right for Lothersdale.
Walk towards the village signpost, and look for a PF just before it
on the left. |
|
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8
|
At
this wooden footpath-post turn left and make your way down to the
river. Aim for the corner of a wood over to the left once the driveway
veers to the right. At the start of the wood and drystone wall is
a thin, sad metal fence at the entrance of a pathway, this path will
guide you safely towards the river. Keep the gulley to your left and
wall on your right. Go forward until a slippery pathway to the river.
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9
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You
will eventually arrive at the river's edge, and this wooden bridge.
Single file please. Once over, turn right, and make your way along
a beautiful rural landscpe, following the pathway and keeping the
river on your right.
Pass a wood footbridge and path on the right, beside a water pump
system. |
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10
|
After about twenty minutes, you will find yourself at the base
of the chimney of Lothersdales' Mill. Walk through the buildings
till you get to the pub, the car-park, and the centre of the village.
At this point you may well choose to partake a well deserved ale?
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11
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After
the pub, walk on; with the pub on your left and it's car-park on your
right...you will see a sign on your left for the Pennine way. (At
SD 959459.) Go up this dirt track and follow through to a metal seven
bar gate, slipping elegantly through the space on it's left. Keep
the fence on your left and pass the farm buildings over to the right.
Now with a wire fence on your left, as well as beautiful views, a
dry stone wall appears in front of you...keep this to your left, and
follow on. |
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12
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Follow
the acorn sign, and a redundant stile on your left. Just before the
corner of the field, go over the stone stepped stile with wooden rails
on your left. Once over, head for the wooden five bar diamond gate
ahead, and then climb the stone stile at SD 957469. You should now
be able to retrace your steps back to the lay-by, via the moor path. |
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There are no toilets along this
route except at the pub in Lothersdale
Walkabout
Checklist : Print this out and take it with you...
This walk (and pictures) submitted by Crag Face. Good work, fella.
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