Walk Leaders:       Doreen & Gareth

Number on walk:     16

Distance:                10 miles

Weather:                Hot & Sunny

After meeting at Crookfield car park we set off through Hollinshead Hall and up Cartridge Hill before descending to New Barn farm. We then climbed the path up Stepback Plantation to Darwen Tower where we had a short stop. Coming steeply down we saw the 2 alpacas in the field by the old Water board house and continued across the Earnsdale dam and had our lunch stop at the top of Sunnyhurst woods.

Taking the lane uphill from there we carried on, crossing part of Darwen golf club, and dropping down the other Winter Hill to the Rock Inn. A short lane section passing St. Stephens church with it's old pulpit brought us to the track past the pinfold and the road. On the descent to the Roddlesworth reservoirs we came across a young deer in the field. We then walked through Tockholes no2 and no 3 planations which gave us some respite from the sun before the long pull up to Slipper Lowe and back to our cars.

Thanks to Kate and Shirley for taking the photos as I'd come without both my phone and camera.