Start: Langden Intake, Trough of Bowland Road. From Junction 31a M6 follow signs for Longridge. From Longridge follow signs for Whitewell and then Dunsop Bridge. As you approach Dunsop Bridge take the road for Lancaster. Langden Intake is on the left after two miles.

Summary: Distance 16k10 miles
                  Time:  4 - 5 hours
                  Terrain: This walk involves crossing rough moorland with barely discernable tracks. After wet weather the ground will be excessively boggy. A higher than average degree of fitness and stamina is demanded to complete this walk comfortably.

 

Map by kind permission of the Blackpool Gazette

Directions: From the car park continue along the road in the direction of Lancaster.

 

 After passing through the farmstead of Sykes turn right onto a bridleway approximately 700m from the farm.

 

The track soon begins to climb alongside Rams Clough. After the ruin of Trough House continue through a gate that soon leads out onto the open fellside. The track is less easy to follow from this point but continues to climb towards a wall.

 

 Keep ahead after a gate and then bear left as you approach a fence. With the fence on your right keep on the path to arrive at the junction of fences.

 

The gate leads down to Ouster Rake and Brennand which you will pick up on your return route. Now you turn left to follow the ridge fence across to the trig point indicating the highest point of Whin Fell. At length you reach an access gate on the right which will allow you to reach the trig point which is 476m above sea level.

 

From the trig point continue along the ridge with the fence on your left. 250m from the trig point you will arrive at a junction of fences.

 

Your way is right. This leads to Brennand Tarn almost a mile from the fence junction.

 

Brennand Tarn lying in a deep clough below Brennand Great Hill will come as a surprise for first time visitors. It is not a great stretch of water, but in the context of the district there are few like it. On reaching the tarn turn right and after crossing the stream go through a gate and follow the fence down the steep fellside.

 

 This area is been recently planted with young trees. After another gate at the bottom cross the River Brennand as best you can to join a rough track.

 

Turn right.

 

Over the next 1200m you'll have to cross and recross the stream a few times. Fortunately the stream is not deep. At length you will arrive at a gate leading to a more substantial track. Once on it keep right heading towards Brennand Farm.

 

 Before you reach the farm turn left onto a bridleway that begins to climb up through pasture to reach a wall on the col below Middle Knoll and Brennand Fell.

 

Cross this by means of a ladder stile and then bear right as you descend to Whitendale. After a wall the path drops more steeply to reach a bridge. Cross this to arrive at the remote Whitendale Farm.

 

Turn right. Whitendale may be remote but it reached from the outside world by a substantial and tarmaced farm road which will give you some respite for the next mile or so.

 

It will take you in the direction of Dunsop Bridge to a junction from the recently visited Brennand valley. Your way is right back to Brennand Farm again along a good farm road.

 

 At the farm keep ahead and turn left to pass behind the farm house.

 

In the pasture beyond cross a ladder stile into the next large pasture and begin to climb the fell.

 

 On reaching a gate at the far right corner continue on the path as it veers to the left. At a wall it begins to define itself into Ousters Rake leading up the steep flank of Whin Fell.

 

 When you arrive at the ridge fence the gate will place you on the path by which you commenced this adventure. Retrace you weary steps back to the car park.

 Printer friendly version