Calder Vale Circular 3rd August


 

 

Walk Leader:  Ann Holden

Number on Walk: 14

Distance: 11.35 miles with 1750 feet of ascent

Weather: Perfect walking temperature – warm, with a breeze, part sun/part cloud.

 

Everyone arrived early at the start point, Calder Vale Country Club, where Ann had checked that we were OK to park. It’s worth noting that the club is only open Thu-Sun evenings 5pm-midnight, so parking there is allowed at any other time. Much better than searching for elusive parking spots down in the centre of Calder Vale.

Anyhow, we set off 5 minutes earlier than planned, walking through Calder Vale village and up the path to St John’s Church and Primary School, then through fields to cross Delph Lane and walk through the Bleasdale Estate. We could see a digger on the skyline between Fiendsdale Head and Fairsnape with lots of white dots on the ground. These turned out to be piles of stones that were being airlifted by helicopter from a field near our path to the skyline, a metal scoop swinging precariously below the helicopter, especially when returning empty! Hopefully the stones are going to be used to improve the boggy path between Fiendsdale Head and Fairsnape, making Jaqui’s favourite winter walk much drier underfoot!

 

After a brief coffee stop at the end of the track, we climbed steadily to Fiendsdale Head, with great views of the Bleasdale Fells and lowlands. From here we headed west towards Hazelhurst Fell, passing the memorial to those airmen who lost their lives in crashes in the local area during and just after WW2. (Crashes at Bleasdale, Longridge Fell, Stakehouse Fell and Inglewhite). Much of the previously scattered Bleasdale wreckage has been gathered together just off the track. We lunched in a small depression (quarry?) before reaching Hazelhurst Fell – no view, but a real suntrap!

Views of Morecambe Bay, Rivington and Yorkshire were hazy, although Heysham Power Station was, as always, clearly visible! After an out and back to the trig point on Hazelhurst Fell we followed the good track to Stang Yule. From here we walked into Oakenclough along Delph Lane, with 6 walkers opting to walk back to Calder Vale via a shorter route due to time constraints.

From Oakenclough we walked briefly on Strickens Lane before ascending the slightly muddy path to the 3 radio masts above Grizedale Lea reservoir – with a good view of Nicky Nook, which was walked on the previous weeks’ Wyresdale Wander. From here we walked past Bank Farm, crossed Strickens Lane and then past Kelbrick Farm to descend into Calder Vale near the bridge, from where we walked back up the road to our cars. We watched a newly born calf take its first wobbly steps in an adjacent field en route – lovely to see.

A very pleasant walk, in great company with only 5 stiles on the whole route!

Photos are 'here'