Walk Leader:  Ann Holden

Number on Walk: 21 and 2 well-behaved dogs on leads

Distance: 10 miles with 1500 feet of ascent

Weather: Perfect walking temperature – sunny, with a cool breeze.

We convened at Calder Vale Country Club, where Ann had checked that we were OK to park. It’s worth noting that the club is only open Thu-Sun evenings 5pm-midnight, so parking there is allowed at any other time. Much better than searching for elusive parking spots down in the centre of Calder Vale.

Setting off at 10am, we walked through Calder Vale village and past Lappet Mill, which was built in 1835 as a cotton-spinning mill by Quaker brothers Richard and Jonathan Jackson. They built several terraced homes with gardens for their workers, which are still occupied in the village today. The mill now manufactures high-quality Arab head-shawls. We took the path up by the row of terraced cottages to walk past Lower & Higher Landskill farms and the relatively new Higher Landskill Glamping with its cosy shepherd’s hut. Crossing Delph Lane, we walked through the Bleasdale Estate, passing alpaca’s and sheep grazing in the fields. Great views of the Parlick, Fairsnape and Fiendsdale skyline.

After a brief coffee stop at the end of the track, we climbed steadily to Fiendsdale Head. From here we headed west along a mildly boggy trod through the heather and bilberry towards Hazelhurst Fell, lunching in a relatively sheltered spot when we joined the main shooters track. Continuing on, we paused to look at the memorial to those airmen who lost their lives in crashes in the local area during and just after WW2. (Crashes at Bleasdale, Longridge Fell, Stakehouse Fell and Inglewhite). Much of the previously scattered Bleasdale wreckage has been gathered together just off the track.

Views of Black Combe, Morecambe Bay, Rivington, Ingleborough, Winter Hill and more were hazy, although Heysham Power Station was, as always, clearly visible! After an out and back to the trig point on Hazelhurst Fell (with obligatory group photo) we followed the good track to Stang Yule. From here we took the path to and round Rough Moor, where we sighted a few hares in various fields, and onto St John’s school and church. Here the schoolchildren had an impromptu counting session; reassuring to find that we still had 21 walkers in the group!

We took the lovely descent through the woods to reach Calder Vale, walk past the terraced cottages and back up the road to our waiting cars by 3pm.

A grand day out with sunshine and great company and the added bonus of only 3 stiles to negotiate!