Walk Leader: Stephen Martin

Distance: 21 miles

Number on walk: 3

Weather: Sunny and warm

The full Beacon Bash started at 8am on the car park at Beacon Country Park, Beacon Lane, Upholland WN8 7RU.  In Attendance there where two LDWA members and myself.

The weather was sunny and warm for the time of year.  We were able to walk mostly in a tee-shirt.  Underfoot wasn’t too bad and walking shoes would have been suffice even after the recent rain. 

With an accent of 753m over the 21 miles, there are some steep parts but worthwhile for the views over the Lancashire plain.

The route taken from the car park was along the golf course the up to the top of Ashurst Beacon.  The views from here have all but gone due to the height of the trees.   From here the route drops down the back of Dalton Lees and heads across farm land (look out of deer) to Round 0 Quarry before heading back across the field and into a wooded valley with a stream (blue bells in spring time) down to Newburgh and onto the Leeds Liverpool canal. 

From the Leeds Liverpool canal the route heads left over the canal and railway and up past a disused quarry up a steep incline to the top of Parbold Hill.  The views from here on a clear day are fantastic.  There is also normally an ice cream van in the layby; alternatively refreshments can be obtained from the pub opposite.

After crossing the main road the route then climbs further to High Moor before descending into Parbold (another area of Blue Bells in spring time). A second ascent leads up past a disused quarry at Hunters Hill.  Here there are benches, one in memory of John Viney who was an active member of the LDWA.  Again the views are spectacular on a clear day; you can also find a telescope which is free to use.

A short descent before the climb up Harrick Hill, here a disused windmill can be found. Half way up further great views of the Lancashire plain.  From here on the start of the descent,  views of Winter Hill can be seen.  In general, it is a nice long descent down and through Fairy Glen before reaching the Leeds Liverpool canal.  A nice stop for lunch (another pub or two close by). 

After lunch the route heads off down the side of the River Douglas (once navigable up to Wigan) before a long climb up to the back of Ashurst Beacon before descending to Roby Mill.  There are a two pubs here.   Following a farmers track (Whitley Road) the path then swings around to start the final climb, passing St Joseph’s college (one of the students being Michael Pennington AKA Jonny Vagas) and back up to the Beacon Country Park.  There are also fantastic views to be had here.

Stephen Martin

Walk leader