Tockholes Tues 14 Oct 2014


Ryal Fold, Tockholes Tues. 14 October 2014

The start of the walk was delayed a little as one of our members had been delayed by road closures. Once together however, our slightly larger group than usual of 24 and 3 dogs, headed uphill from Ryal Fold, in the direction of Darwen Tower, but instead of carrying on to the Tower, we took a right turn and entered Darwen Moor above New Barn. From there we crossed the Moor, leaving it at 'the Finger Post' above Higher Pasture Barn, before descending to Hollinshead Hall and our lunch break. Darwen Moors can at times be bleak, but today conditions were relatively good underfoot, the weather was fine, the clouds were high and in a fresh breeze, with views as far north as the Lake District, it was good moorland walking.

Click on pictures to view slideshow.

After lunch we headed up to Slipper Lowe, then turning downhill once again, made our way through Roddleworth Woods (very attractive at this time of year) to Roddlesworth Reservoir. Once across the embankment the climbing started again as we headed uphill, past the old farm at Higher Hill, with its quaint 'long drop' loo partway up an outside wall, then through the village of Tockholes to another high point on Winter Hill. With Darwen Tower prominent in front of us, we followed the public footpath down through the edge of Darwen Golf Course, then past Earnsdale Reservoir on our way back to our cars at the visitor centre car park at Ryal Fold.

Under normal circumstances our walks programme contains three Tuesday 10 mile walks each month and this was one of them. Coming out at almost spot on the 10 mile target todays walk was well led and planned by our 'ageless' leader. Thanks a lot 'Mac'.

Stan.