The Forest of Bowland, that area of upland to the east of the Fylde and between the Ribble and the Lune, is not a forest at all. Indeed the high fells are pretty much treeless. The title "forest" refers back to olden times when large tracts of land were set aside for hunting. These wild, lonely hills retain something of that purpose in that they are managed for grouse shooting. (Season starts on the Glorious 12th August – though not quite so glorious for the grouse one suspects) This walk takes you to the edge of the area along a fairly straightforward route.
Total Distance: 10 Km or 6 miles
Time: 2½ hours
Terrain: After a sharp ascent to the summit of Parlick, this walk becomes a moorland trek with a sustained climb to Fairsnape. The plateau, with its peat hags is a confusing place in mist. From Saddle End return over pastureland with a steep sided clough to cross.
Start:
Lay by Startifants Lane End 2 miles north west of Chipping. From junction 31a M6 follow signs for Longridge on B 6243. As you reach Longridge at mini roundabout keep straight on B6244. Follow signs for Chipping. On reaching the T-junction in the village, turn left, then immediately right past the church. Follow the lane to the left and then, after ¾ of a mile bear left again into Fish House Lane. As the lane reaches the top of a rise turn right. Parlick fell is directly before you. Park close to the next junction.
Map by kind permission of the Blackpool Gazette
1. Lane End to Fairsnape (4 Km or 2½ miles: 1 hour)
The way ought to be fairly obvious - up the lane towards Parlick.
Although this is by most standards a fairly out of the way place, at weekends and bank holidays it is very popular, especially with the para gliding fraternity. The lane is steep.
Beyond Fell Foot, the hill is steeper. A less steep track breaks to the left and this is recommended as an alternative and more scenic way up to the summit ridge.
On reaching the summit (432m), indicated by a ragged cairn, the way ahead to Fairsnape opens out. Here a helpful fence will serve as a handrail for the first part of this trek. [Note: most ladder stiles have been replaced by kissing gates - we'll update the photos later.]
The way drops gently from the summit, then after crossing an awkward nick, begins to rise beyond a kissing gate, with a wall on the right.
Though less steep than the ascent of Parlick, the way may seem long. At length you will arrive at the summit (510m) adorned by a large cairn with a feature called Paddy's Pole. Paddy's Pole is in fact a ...pole!
Nearby there is something of a shelter and a trig. point. The views are extensive embracing the Fylde Coast, Morecambe Bay, the Yorkshire Peaks, (particularly Ingleborough), Bowland, Ribble Valley, Pendle Hill and Longridge Fell.
If you find yourself in misty conditions at this stage, then the best advice will be to retrace your upward steps, unless you're proficient with map and compass. The peat hags of these fells can be quite confusing in mist.
If the day is clear it will be possible to pick out a junction of fences at a distance of 800m on the skyline to the north east. With Paddy's Pole to your right and the trig. point on your left walk towards this landmark. A path of sorts will lead you to a fence to your right. The fence will lead you to the junction of fences, with a kissing gate. The ground underfoot can be very boggy after wet weather and care will be needed on this part of the walk. The highest part of the fell (520m) is marked by an unimpressive cairn just to the left of the junction of fences. Go through the kissing gate and after negotiating a peaty quagmire follow a path which soon defines itself into a track away from the fence. At a distance of 50m from the kissing gate the track divides at this small cairn.
Here turn left. Walking becomes progressively easier along the track which leads past grouse butts to another kissing gate, which puts you on Saddle Fell. Once on Saddle Fell follow the downward paths aiming right when in doubt. You will enjoy a fine view of Parlick to your right.
3. Saddle End to Lane End (2 Km or 1½ miles: 40 Mins)
After the grand sweep of the wild moors this section may seem an anti-climax. Walk through the farm and look for a footpath immediately on the right leadly sharply up to a stile(almost behind you) in a grassy bank and look for a footpath on the right.
Crossing a stile climb up the bank to follow the path between two fences, within a stand of trees. The next stile gives out onto open pasture (quite often boggy pasture)
Using waymark signs keep ahead crossing into another field and then dropping into a deep clough.
Cross Chipping Brook by way of a footbridge, and follow path to emerge from the clough on a field corner near Wolfen Hall.
Once the right of way led through the complex but it is now rerouted to pass the farm/holiday accommodation complex on the right.
Way mark signs should keep you on route. If in any doubt aim for the pronounced profile of Parlick ahead. Once on the farm road you'll quickly arrive at the lane end.
The Sun Inn
As there are no hostelries on this walk refreshments will need to be by way of a picnic. The alternative is to set off early enough to return to Chipping before 2pm where we can strongly recommend The Sun Inn.
If there is a finer way of spending lunch time during a lovely walk than in the Sun Inn at Chipping feasting on their famous pie and peas and washing it down with a pint of Black Sheep Bitter than we would like to know about it. (emails to mail@lancashirewalks.com).
The Sun Inn is a Boddingtons house and on this visit was serving Boddingtons Bitter (4.1%), Jennings Cumberland Ale (4.0%), Theakstons Mild (3.5%) and Black Sheep Bitter (3.8%). As the Black Sheep is one of our favourite traditional style bitters we have always opted for this on our visits to the Sun Inn and have never been disappointed, it being served in excellent condition.
As stated previously the Sun Inn is famous locally for its pie and peas so despite a very good lunch menu we have always gone for this. On this occasion Bob had the steak and kidney pie and John had the traditional pasty, both served with mushy peas and gravy as well as a side dish of raw onions. Delightful! On previous occasions we have sampled the pork pies and meat and potato pies.
The main bar has wood panels, an open coal fire and wood beams. There is a large collection of framed black and white photos bedecking the walls. The other 2 rooms maintain the character of this gem of a pub.
