2019 04 13 West Pennine Way 2
Andrew At St Mary's Chapel Grimehills
Darwen Tower From Pickup Bank
Ogden Res' & Musberry Heights
Holden Wood Res' & Haslingden
Peel Tower From Near Hawkshaw
Turton Tower South View
Photo and report from Pete.
Another 8am start for Part 2 of the excellent WPW, (8.15am to be precise due to a parking hitch) from Bull Hill on the A666.
Bodies where thin on the ground for this one, due mainly to other commitments or maybe because the leader deputising for the original, was not as attractive?
However, Norman, Stephen, Pete and Andrew set off for a 25miler in more of our fine Lancashire countryside.
Leaving the busy A666 for Cranberry Moss and over the Blackburn/Bolton Railway tunnel by the airshaft, we came to the road at Grimehills and St Mary’s Chapel.
Up from Grimehills over rough tufty stuff via Higher Aushaw, Horse Hey, Longshoot and Pasture.
Continuing on easier ground now, through fields to Lower Pasture and below the Broadhead Road all the way to Pickup Bank and through more fields.
At Pickup Bank a very nice location, we bade farewell to Andrew who had a previous engagement later in he day.
Down to just three of us now we pressed on to the top of Pickup Bank, across the Broadhead Road, Pike Lowe, the Grane Road, then onto Rushy Hill to join part of the 'Rossendale Way'.
Along the RW southwards for 1.5miles, then we dropped down to Clough Head for a hot drink and our first break of the day.
Refreshed, it was back up to rejoin the path to Windy Harbour Farm and a cold wind it was for most of the day although we did have sunshine too for the best part of it.
Dropping down from here to cross the Grane Road again above Ogden Reservoir, with superb views over to Musberry Heights etc’.
A steep climb up the old tram track onto Musbury Heights, passing the chimney and old quarry remains and rejoining the 'Rossendale Way' again.
Continuing for a good while around the various moorland to the head of Musden Head Moor, Alden Ratchers, Beetle Hill and up onto Bull Hill with no Red Flags visible on the shooting range.
Across the top of the vast expanse of moor that is Holcombe Moor, passing the Pilgrims Cross and Harcles Hill, on reaching Peel Tower we had our lunch accompanied by a very cold wind.
Wasting no time we where soon ready to get warm again by the best way possible, striding out!
Dropping off the west side of Holcombe Moor to the ruin of Taylors Farm, Redisher Wood and down to Loe Bridge at the A676, crossing here and through fields to Greenmount Golf Course.
Passing the large Catholic School at Holly Mont and a encountering a tricky section up through a wood and a field system, before meeting the road at Affetside.
Joining the ’Two Crosses' route here down to Bradshaw Fisheries and onto Jumbles Reservoir, where we had our final break of the day in relatively warm conditions.
The final stretch now, around Jumbles Res’ and up to the road near Chapletown, left along the road to the next right turn at Turton Tower.
Over the ornate railway bridge, briefly joining the 'Witton Weavers Way’ then left for our last climb onto Cheetham Close and a fitting reward for our efforts with extensive views.
A full 360 degree panorama, of the skyline of the entire route of the 'West Pennine Way’.
Finally bearing left off Cheetham Close, passing Dimple Hall, emerging onto the A666 again at Egerton, with bus passes at the ready and a lift back to our starting point around 4.45pm.
Led by Pendle Pete.
