Darwen Moor, Abbey Village & Tockholes
Walk Leader: John Clarke
Number Walking: 13
Distance: 13 miles
Weather: Thick cloud
Walk Summary Longer Tuesday Walk.
Circular walk commencing from The Royal Public house Tockholes.
The distance of the walk was reduced from the original intended 15 miles as a final route recce on Friday revealed one of the proposed paths on Darwen Moor had been closed for repair work. Also at the start of the walk Darwen Moor was completely covered in a layer of heavy cloud so given the unavailability of any possible views and the loop back path situation a decision was taken within the group not to simply walk to and back from Darwen tower.
After a climb from the meeting point car park the main path from the tower to Cartridge Hill passing Lions Den was taken. From the side of Cartridge Hill the track down to Slipper Lowe was followed, thankfully the low heavy cloud cover and light rain had now started to clear. Tockholes Road was crossed and the group followed Mill Lane down through Slipper Lowe Wood towards Roddlesworth.
By the site of the old corn mill the group turned left and followed the path of the River Roddlesworth along a beautiful wooded gorge towards the A675. Here the group encounter a tree which on one of his many visits to Lancashire must have inspired Tolkien to create the trees that feature so predominately in The Lord Of The Rings.
After crossing the 675 the group began the long climb across open moorland to the summit of Great Hill where despite the still murky conditions good views of the Lancashire coast and Welsh mountains were available.
On the decent towards White Coppice the group spend time examining the excellent new information boards which have been positioned by two of the derelict farms located by the path. They provide an excellent insight into what life must have been like for the occupants of those farms and generally on the moor itself.
The group descended to White Coppice where lunch was taken by the cricket pitch. Post lunch The Goit was followed to Brinscall village. From here the disused railway was followed through Whitnell to Abbey Village. After a short section of road walking through the pretty village center the lane through the Roddlesworth reservoir complex was taken. This was followed past the first two reservoirs before a path across fields to Higher Hill Farm was taken. After a good climb to the side of the farm fantastic views back to Great Hill were enjoyed.
After leaving the farm a lovely old tractor was spotted clearly abandoned by the side of the lane, it was slowly being reclaimed by nature.
The group made its way into the center of Tockholes then picked up Weasel Lane which was followed through to the side of Earnsdale Reservoir which afforded some great views across its width to a now completely cloud free Darwen Moor and Tower.
From here it was only a short distance to Rydal Fold and the start point.
