Walk Leader: John Clarke

Number of walkers: 12

Distance: 9 miles

Weather: Snow showers

From the start point the A59 was immediately crossed and the group took the path by the side of Smithies Brook, which had previously formed the old pre 1974 county boundary between Yorkshire and Lancashire. As the group reached the brooks crossing point at Monks Bridge very heavy snow was falling. The path beneath the Clitheroe to Helifield railway was taken through to Downham Mill where the path by Ings Beck was taken past the delightfully named Hell Hole Plantation. Here the path by Twiston Beck was picked up and followed through to Twiston Mill where as the snow had now stopped a coffee break was taken. 

From Twiston Mill the path to Hill Foot farm was taken, as the group climbed up from the beck the first real views of a beautifully snow covered Pendle Hill became available. After passing by the farm the path across the fields to Brownlow was taken. Just before reaching Brownlow the group stopped on the hill side for lunch. This spot provided stunning views in the now clear sunny weather of Pendle Hill and a large part of The Ribble Valley. 

After lunch both Red Skye Beck and Pendle Hill Brook were crossed before walking through the fields to Hollins Farm. The normal clear views from these fields of the big three Yorkshire peaks were obscured at times due to a number of large snow showers sweeping through the Ribble Valley.

From Hollins Farm the group picked up Downham Beck which was followed down into Downham village, which has to be one of the prettiest villages in Lancashire. The path by the side of the Chatburn Road was followed for a short distance out of the village towards Chatburn, just prior to the A59 bridge the group turned right along an old farm track through the fields back towards Smithies Brook, after crossing the railway the brook was picked up again and followed through to the start point.

Unfortunately the walk was slightly shorter than planned as the recce carried out on the Saturday prior to the walk date identified a problem with a path. Despite this a very enjoyable walk was had by all in a beautiful if rather snowy at times area of Lancashire.