Walk leaders- Doreen & Gareth

Number-         21

Distance-        10.5 miles

Weather-        Very heavy rain to start becoming dry with sun later on

We set off from the car park with the rain absolutely chucking it down as we made the first climb of the day to the Mildred Barker seat on Darwen moor. As we continued on towards Sugar Leach.  Dropping steeply but carefully down we carried on past Higher House farm and through Bury Fold to Bold Venture park where we had our lunch stop.

A bit more up on a decent but watery track next before descending into Sunnyhurst woods and the biggest climb of the day out of them. We then crossed Earnsdale reservoir  and used good tracks under Darwen Tower to bring us to our left turn to New Barn Farm and the final proper climb up before dropping down to the woods and passing Hollinshead Hall back to the cars. Altogether there was approximately 1800’ of  ascent.