After the Walk February 2026
Wednesday February 25th. Haigh Hall Hop. 13.5 miles. Leaders: Dave and Alma Walsh.
Twenty of us set off & made our way to Borsdane Wood. We walked the full length & then turned uphill towards Hindley Hall Golf Club. A path skirting the golf course took us to the canal & we headed south in the direction of Wigan.
We had our morning break by the side of the canal & then took a loopline which led us towards Haigh Hall. We recrossed the canal & had lunch at some picnic tables in the grounds of the hall.
In the afternoon, we dropped back down to the canal & headed West. We left the canal & followed muddy tracks to rejoin it again. Upon reaching Arley Hall golf course, we crossed the bridge & returned to Haigh Hall via the other bank. It was then about a one mile walk back to the cars.
Dave & Alma
Sunday February 15th. Marshalls and Volunteers Two Crosses. 18 miles. Leader: Caroline Tennant.
At 08:30 on a snowy and blustery Sunday morning, 7 of us met at Batridge barn car park. It was nearly 6, as I was convinced the walk started at 09:00. Luckily, going to bed the night before, I thought to check! The roads were somewhat interesting with snow and slush, but we all made it safely. The next danger was averted as I spotted a robin had flown in to my car. Released to freedom, it sat in the hedge, a much safer spot than being locked in my car all day.
We set off over the dam around Entwistle Reservoir. A grey and gloomy start to the day. Snow covered the hills, but not enough to cause us any problems. As we made the steady climb towards Wet Moss, conditions became rather misty, but thankfully the paving took us across the Moor, and round to Bull Hill where we stopped for a quick break. On then towards the Pilgrim’s Cross and Peel tower. Whilst some of the hills were quite slippy, between the mud and snow, I was the only one who fell over, twice, and both times when standing still. The drizzle started in and remained on and off for the rest of the day, but nothing too bad. After dropping down through Redisher Woods and admiring the work that has taken place to clean up the steps, across to Greenmount for lunch.
The afternoon saw us take the Crosses route from the official start, through Tottington, past the manure heap and off up to Affetside and the other cross. Dropping down the hill we reached Jumbles and set off around the reservoir, to reach Turton tower and the final stretch, back to the cars.
A cold, snowy, muddy day, but the rain cleared the roads by the time we finished, so we could all get off the car park and home safely. We even saw a patch of blue sky as we approached the cars! The conditions made for an interesting walk, but good company and giggles helped us forget the chill and damp.
Thank you to the marvellous people that came, it would have been a rather miserable walk otherwise!
Caz
Wednesday February 11th. Two Crosses without the Crosses. 13.5 miles. Leader: Caroline Tennant.
11 of us met in the drizzle at Batridge Barn car park. We set off to the cut off point, to head towards Checkpoint 2 on the A666. Up the lumpy field and along the lumpy path under the pylons. Unfortunately no checkpoint team to meet us at the road, so on towards Checkpoint 3. Down gorse gully and up to find our way on to the Witton Weavers Way across Longworth Moor. The endless path, was as usual, endless, but with views across Belmont and the reservoir breaking through the cloud.. At Checkpoint 3, again, sadly no marshals, so we had morning break and then we diverted off the Crosses route to go through Tockholes Woods. Obligatory photo stop by the East Lancs sponsored PNFS sign, then on to the cafe. Lunch stop was had, supplemented with hot drinks from the cafe.
We then doubled back through the woods, to return to Checkpoint 3 at track junction, returning to the 26 mile Crosses route. A climb took us back to the Witton Weavers way and via the 2026 diversion at Cranshaws, back to the A666. Over the road and down to Entwistle reservoir, keeping to the waters edge, back to the car park. No one mentioned the lack of Crosses. The weather got a fair mention though, thankfully for not being half as bad as predicted. Whilst we had a fair bit of drizzle and mist, it was only the odd real shower. The paths however were pretty soggy and there was a great deal of running water on the tracks, but we sloshed our way through. East Lancs won't be stopped by a bit of water or mud!
Thank you to everyone that braved the horrific weather forecast and sloshed through the 13.5 miles with me.
Caz
Sunday February 1st, Dams, Pikes & Waterways, 19 miles. Leader Stephen Hindley
A group of eighteen, including walkers from West Lancs, West Yorkshire, South Manchester, The Irregulars & a first time walker with the LDWA set out from Todmorden on a route which covered both sides of the Calder Valley
After the steady climb to Gaddings Dam it was across the tops towards Stoodley Pike [which appeared out of the mist at the last moment], shortly after this we had our morning break
After leaving the boggy moors it was down the steep decent to Mytholmroyd where we joined the Rochdale canal towards Hebden Bridge & our lunch break in Calder Holmes Park
After crossing over to the north side of the valley we climbed up through Eaves Wood to meet the Calderdale Way which was our general route back. After a brief stop at the top of Todmorden golf course for sweets, kindly provided by Caz, we then continued to Hudson Bridge where we commenced our descent back to Todmorden, arriving back at the cars around 4.15pm
Despite the mixed forecast the weather remained dry all day & quite mild at times requiring some layers to be removed in the afternoon, although this may also have been due to the 3,000 feet of climbing!
Thanks everyone
Stephen
