Walk Leader: Jane Anthony

Number on walk: 12 plus 2 dogs

Distance: 11.3 miles

Weather: Overcast and breezy at times but the forecast rain didn’t really materialise and we finished dry

The walk started from Warton Cragg quarry car park where a wide range of wild flowers were seen including 3 different sorts of orchids. On leaving the car park we followed a winding route up Warton Crag, with a few steep rocky limestone sections which were fortunately dry. On the ascent there were good views across the bay though there is no view from the actual summit / beacon.

We then descended gradually to the Occupation Road bridleway often (though not today) frequented by mountain bikers, and down Crag Road to the valley bottom. There followed a short stretch on the road  before we headed out onto the salt flats and past a field of sheep being fed on the salty grass. We then climbed Heald Brow and had a short break while admiring the view.

The route then skirted the edge of Silverdale, along Woodwell Cliff and through fields towards St John’s Church before turning east and crossing more fields to reach The Row. After following the road for a short way we (carefully) crossed Silverdale Golf course, some walkers donning waterproofs, though these were soon discarded. The route then passed RSPB Leighton Moss visitor centre and we used the bridleway which straddles the reserve to recross the valley bottom before ascending towards Leighton Hall. Instead of  carrying on past the hall we headed North through fields (including an unnecessary one – apologies) where we stopped for a late lunch. The path left the fields to pass through the tiny village of Yealand Storrs before we climbed again through Cringlebarrow Wood. There was some rain at this point but as we were mostly under trees it was not a hindrance.

Onn leaving the woods we crossed a road and took a pleasant path through estate land and across a field unexpectedly occupied by several horses, which fortunately ignored us before rejoining the road and finishing the walk (in the dry!) on a wooded rocky path running below Warton Crag.