2018 04 16 Don’t Walk Back in Anger


 

Morning stop : Keighley Moor Res

 

Head of the valley : Bracken Hill

 

Pendle panorama : Atom Panopticon

 

El Scorchio in Cross Hills as suncream & shorts replaced paramos & gloves after one of the wettest & longest winters for some time . Five set off ascending away from the houses & out onto the open expanse of Earl Crag with it's distinctive “salt” & “pepper” pots . Boggy moorland negotiated to the prominent Hitching Stone then access land via a large shooting hut to follow a metalled track to Keighley Moor Res & the first stop .

The Millennium Way was followed to Oldfield with fine views across the valley to Stanbury & Haworth . Descending to cross the road near Scar Top then steeply ascending to regain the uplands on a fabulous moorland path with far reaching views to cross the head of the valley on Bracken Hill . Gradually descending for the second stop at Watersheddles Res , then leaving the Bronte Way to head across fields to “Atom” , one of a series of Panopitcons (another is the Singing Ringing Tree) which afforded wonderful panoramic vistas of the surrounding Pendle countryside .

Making the customary swift progress & with the mercury & humidity rising , a collective decision was made for a brief impromptu stop at the Emmott Arms in Laneshawbridge for very welcome ice cold lime & soda water enjoyed in the sun trap beer garden . Suitably refreshed onwards to go across fields & rejoin the Pendle Way to Knarrs Hill with clear views across to the earlier outward route landmarks . Reaching a lane the rocky outcrop of Knoll Hill could be seen ahead , not quite Ayres Rock but certainly distinctive viewed from afar . It was here that a final short stop was taken , before joining the Pennine Way briefly at Middleton then a fabulous valley walk following Gill Beck to Lane Ends Bridge & via Glusburn to reach the cars around 1630 . And no better way to finish off a superb perfect days walking than a visit to the excellent micropub to rehydrate . The weather could not have been better , gin clear blue skies , warm , sunny with expansive far reaching views throughout .

Thanks to regulars Ron , Andrew , Norman & Dave – another excellent brisk paced walk with no hanging around : 25 miles with 3070 feet ascent . Ian