After the Walk October 2026
Friday October 30th. Night Walk Special. 14 miles. Leaders: Nick Halford and Caz Tennant.
Sunday October 25th. Come Fly with Me. 15.5 miles. Leaders: Dave and Alma Walsh.
The walk was aptly named as it was very windy the whole day. Despite the presence of Storms Austen & Boloe over the weekend the decision was made to go ahead. We changed the route to avoid the causeway over Chat Moss though.
We followed the loop line to Monton & then got on the canal to Peel Green.
Morning break was taken next to Barton Aerodrome but no planes were flying today.
Lunch was taken on a track leading to the railway crossing.
A tree had blocked the road leading to the Bridgewater Canal but we had room to squeeze through.
Afternoon break was taken in Whitehead Hall Meadow. The canal was followed to Worsley & then though the woods back to the start.
Thanks to those who braved the windy weather to join us, including Arthur & Jayne from West Lancs.
Dave & Alma
Wednesday October 21st. Wimberry Way. 12.5 miles. Leader: Peter Ault.
Meeting at Old Kiln Lane in Heaton, we set of along the lane next to High Rid reservoir .
Then a steady climb up hill to Rivington to reach the Two Lads monument .
From there it was up to the mast, despite being 100 yards away, we were unable to see it due to the mist.
With the mast behind us we headed down to Bolton Beach, carrying on to Wimberry Hill and then lunch behind a wall as the rain came down.
From here we carried on down to Belmont Road, turning right on to paths leading to Smithills Hall and a welcome sweets break. We headed back via Smithills Farm ,Barrow Bridge, Old Links Golf Club and back to the cars
Despite the weather it was a enjoyable 12.5 miles with over 2000ft of ascent.
Peter Ault
Sunday October 10th.( Mini ) Witton Weavers Way. 18 miles. Leaders: Tim and Yvette Jeal.
Wednesday October 7th. A loaf and 5 Fishes. 14 miles. Leader: Neil Smith.
10 walkers were welcomed to start the walk from Settle on a bright sunny morning after a lot of over night rain with one new face in the group, Mark Rawes from Clitheroe.
We left the car park towards the outskirts of Giggleswick from where we climbed to the top of the old quarry to reach Giggleswick Scar and the path to Feizor where we tookadvantage of the good weather to sit outside at Elaines cafe for a
coffee stop.
From here we followed the walled track towards Austwick but then turning right to pass the junction to Oxenber and Wharfe wood to pass through Jop Ridding and then turning right onto the Dales High Way taking us around the perimeter of the wood, shortly passing
to the left of Smearset Scar and our lunch stop at Stainforth force waterfall. Unfortunately we did not see any Salmon leaping possibly due to the amount of water coming over the waterfall.
After a toilet stop in the Stainforth car park we crossed the stepping stones over Stainforth Beck to join the Pennine Bridleway up to Cattrigg force turning right again to Upper Winskill.
After a stretch on a stony track we were back on Limestone paths to Victoria cave and onwards to Sugar Loaf, Lambert Lane and the old Reservoir that used to supply Settle with a panoramic view of Settle whilst approaching this point.
We then walked through Upper Settle and back to the finish at the car park,thanks to everybody for attending on a day of good weather which everybody appreciated.
Some of us enjoyed a drink at the end with the originator of the walk Stormin Norman Thomas.
Neil.
