Walk Leader – Jacqueline Taylor

Number on walk – 10

Distance – 10.7 miles

Weather – Hot and sunny

This circular walk, my first as a leader, was devised by my husband Steve for the small splinter group I walked with during lockdown. It took us on an anticlockwise loop from Dunsop Bridge to the Inn at Whitewell and back.

We started from Puddleducks takeaway following the Hodder River briefly before heading through fields and along a stony track past Thorneyholme Hall. We turned right after the Giddy Bridge passing through Higher Birkett farm and headed up onto the open fells, stopping for a well needed drink in the very hot sunshine. We continued up across Birkett Fell enjoying some gorgeous 360 degree views before hitting the lane at Marl Hill. We continued up through fields and Raven Scar Plantation before heading down to the Inn at Whitewell. Tempting as it might have been to stop for a pint instead we carried on over the stepping stones and enjoyed lunch by the river. The second half of the walk took us up through New Laund Farm, on through Whitemore Woods and across the side of Mellor Knoll before descending steeply to Hareden Farm with great views of Tottridge Fell to our left. A brief spell on the road, across the fields and along the river took us back to Dunsop Bridge where some of the group enjoyed post walk refreshments at Puddleducks, Jane and I opting instead for a cooling swim in the river at Whitewell. Despite the hot weather I enjoyed leading my first LDWA walk and the opportunity to catch up with fellow members