Walk
Program
expected to be easy
expected to be moderate
expected to be challenging
Thursday 1st sees Mary and Kate Taylor lead a 7.5 mile walk around the Wenning. Starting from Low Bentham car park we head for the Punch Bowl, turn left to the first bend and cross the stile following the path round Cloudsbank. Crossing the road we continue along the south bank of the Wenning as far as High Bentham Bridge, the route then follows the heritage trail to Greystonegill Bridge and returns via Cowslip Hill to Station Road where we follow the north side of the River back to the start.Back to May calendar
Kate Rowe usually arranges a Spring daffodil walk, however, this year on Wednesday 7th, it’s a 7 mile ramble amongst the bluebells at Rigmaden. Parking is on the small road heading north off the B6254 at Old Town near Kirkby Lonsdale, from where we return to the road and walk carefully to Barkin House. Footpaths lead past Wyndhammere and back to the road we parked on, here we turn left and take the footpath right, past hidden Kitmere to Park Wood where we should see the bluebells. Passing Rigmaden Hall, it’s uphill to Hag Wood and on to Mansergh High, passing another bluebell wood, then it’s back to the cars via Greenbank. This walk includes some short but steep sections.Back to May calendar
An 8.5 mile walk around Nidderdale moors and mines is led by Sandra and Bryn Craggs on Tuesday 13th. Parking at Coldstones Cut (off the B6265 between Greenhow and Pately Bridge) we take a quiet road before heading across fields, with good views over Nidderdale, towards Bewerley. Crossing the main road the route is along part of the Nidderdale Way, past Eagles Hall and along a path to Mosscar Bottom. From here we follow the beck which reaches the mine workings and, travelling through the remains of the site, we cross a ford and head back to the start.Back to May calendar
Whernside is the location of Alison Kinder and Colin Stroud’s 8 mile hike on Wednesday 21st.
Please note that the direction of the walk has been reversed since the text was submitted to the Bentham News.
Finally on Thursday 29th Glyn Barnes leads a 7 mile Middleham circular ramble. Parking is in the village centre (£2 honestly box) and we initially head for the imposing Middleham Castle with great views of Leyburn and across to the River Ure in Wensleydale. We travel down to the River Cover which we follow upstream and then cross before eventually reaching Holy Trinity Churchyard. Continuing on past two ornamental ponds-and maybe some peacocks- it’s onto the gallops, this is horserace training country, and so back to Middleham and the start.Back to May calendar
Thursday 12th
Latterbarrow and Claife Heights from Far Sawrey
8 miles
Lairgill 9:00am
On Thursday 12th we have an 8 mile walk covering Latterbarrow and Claife Heights on the west side of Windermere. The leader is Terri Kwiecinska, and the parking is at Far Sawrey (honesty box £2). The route passes Moss Eccles and Wraymires tarns before taking us through a forestry plantation to emerge below Latterbarrow, from where we work our way up to the obelisk at the summit. Here there are fantastic views over Windermere and the Lake District. The return initially takes us down to Waterson Intake and on to Belle Grange to join a lower level path back to the cars. Terri points out that this walk has a significant climb and a fairly steep descent – but the views do repay the effort.Back to June calendar
Kate Rowe and Kate Butcher take us on a 7.8 mile walk on Tuesday 17th. This is a circular ramble around Downham, one of the prettiest villages in the Clitheroe area. Starting at the free car park (facilities), we head alongside Downham Beck and on towards Twiston. After following the route between Twiston and Downham Mills, we head for the beautiful Monks Bridge (aka Fairy Bridge) and on to the edge of Chatburn before circling around Worsaw Hill to return to Downham. Pendle’s presence accompanies us on much of the walk which involves a mixture of tracks, meadows, grassy paths and forays onto the Ribble Valley Jubilee Trail.Back to June calendar
Finally, on Friday 27th, Mary Taylor has arranged our first summer evening stroll from Low Tatham. This 4 mile walk starts from St. James the Less car park, from where we turn left up the road to a footpath which leads over the fields to Melling. Passing Melling Church, a footpath on the left leads us gently back to the start.Back to June calendar
The walk starts at the car park of The Tempest Arms Elslack and follows a lane past the old railway line and towards open farm land, before a short uphill path leads on to open heather moorland. Road walking follows for a short period and passes a historic guide stone “Porridge Stoup” before ascending back on to open heather moorland and to Pinhaw Beacon. Here the path meets the “Pennine Way” and we reach the trig point and topograph, which is dedicated to the NHS. The 360°views are magnificent and apparently on a clear day Blackpool Tower can be seen. We carry on over moorland and start descending towards Elslack reservoir, through a conifer plantation and on to a lane, heading back towards The Tempest Arms. Back to July calendar
On Wed 9th Mary Pickstone and Valerie Eccles take us to the Forest of Bowland for a 7.25 miles walk. We are starting from Cross of Greet Bridge, and initially the ground is marshy where it follows the River Hodder. We gradually climb up across moorland to the crags of Bowland Knotts which give superb views south over Stocks Reservoir to Pendle Hill and north to the Three Peaks and Yorkshire Dales. From Bowland Knotts we tramp across open moorland following a wall until we eventually meet the Bentham-Slaidburn road at the Cross of Greet, the old boundary between Lancashire and Yorkshire. We then follow the road down the valley to the start, enjoying the views as we go.
Please note: a long section of the walk over the moor is not on a public footpath and is a restricted area of Open Access where dogs are not allowed. Back to July calendar
Sunday 20th
Low Bentham to Scaleber and Clifford Hall circular
6 miles
Low Bentham car park 1:30pm
David Longton takes us on a 6 mile afternoon walk with a start of 1.30pm from Low Bentham Car Park on Sunday 20th to Scaleber and Clifford Hall. The walk is based on one described in a “Walks Around Bentham” book. After crossing the road we go to the cross (built to mark the coronation of Edward V11 in 1902), then by way of West End Farm reach Goodenbergh Caravan Park. After a short walk on the road we take a stile and cross fields to pass close by Gill Farm where there is usually a muddy patch in all but the driest weather. Back on the road again until we turn into the entrance to Scaleber Farm which we pass, then cross several fields to reach Clifford Hall after which we descend through the woods until we get to the road. Here we double back up the lane. After a combination of road and footpaths we arrive up by the solar farm which we walk alongside, then continue on the path back to Low Bentham. Back to July calendar
For the last walk in July, Sandra Craggs takes us to Addleborough: Parking at Thornton Rust, we take a clear & winding track up on to Thornton Rust moor. Picking up a permissive path to the flat-topped Addlebrough, we should have stunning views of Wensleydale as we explore the plateau. Our descent is via an area of ancient settlements and then down to Carpley Green. The road section is quiet and should give views across Semerwater, before we return to a field path across towards Cubeck and back to Thornton Rust via the quiet lane. The ascent / descent is relatively short and steep on open ground and the moorland may be boggy (weather dependent). It’s a lovely walk really! Back to July calendar
Further details of this walk will be added as soon as they become available. Back to August calendar
Further details of this walk will be added as soon as they become available. Back to August calendar
Saturday 16th
Sizergh Castle, Brigsteer Woods & the River Kent
6 miles
Lairgill 9:30am
Further details of this walk will be added as soon as they become available. Back to August calendar
Further details of this walk will be added as soon as they become available. Back to August calendar
Further details of this walk will be added as soon as they become available. Back to August calendar
Further details of this walk will be added as soon as they become available. Back to September calendar
Further details of this walk will be added as soon as they become available. Back to September calendar
Further details of this walk will be added as soon as they become available. Back to September calendar
Further details of this walk will be added as soon as they become available. Back to September calendar