Walk Leader – Rob Lowe

Number on walk – 10

Distance – 14 miles

Weather – Wet

Ten walkers set off from the car park at Newton in light rain, which was to continue throughout the walk, contributing to the already wet conditions underfoot.

We crossed the fields to Crawshaw and Pain Hill farms, crossing Wood House Lane and descending to walk alongside Croasdale Brook for a short distance. The route took us through Wood House, then steadily rising until eventually reaching the highest point of the walk at the top of Merrybent Hill.

On our way downhill to cross the River Hodder we had to take a short diversion because a stile had been removed whilst the farmer was replacing a fence. He was working on the fence at the time, and confirmed he would replace the stile in due course.

We continued down to Stocks reservoir, where the picnic site was the intended location for lunch. However, because of the rain we made use of two bird hides to keep us in the dry.

After lunch we followed the East side of Stocks reservoir to the dam and overflow, and then followed the track past Hammerton Hall to Slaidburn.

From Slaidburn we followed the path alongside the Hodder back to Newton.