Hazelhurst Fell

 

The Forest of Bowland is Lancashire’s best kept secret. It offers wild and challenging walking without the crowds that flock up to the hills of the Lake District or across to the Yorkshire Dales. One reason for its under appreciation in the past has been restricted access to the high tops but all that changed following the Countryside and Rights of Way Act of 2000.  Yet despite “the right to roam” inherent in the Act it seems that few people exercise that right over these lonely moors. This walk is an excellent taster – it will allow you to peer into the heart of this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty without too much effort; and then on the return leg introduce you to the quiet charms of Bleasdale.

 Start: Delph Lane Quarry car par.

 

 

From Junction 32 on the M6 turn north on the A6 towards Garstang. At Broughton turn right onto Whittingham Lane. After passing below the motorway turn left into Langley Lane. Follow signs for Inglewhite. When you reach the village crossroads turn right.  After 1 ½ m at a T junction turn right into Bleasdale Road. In less than a mile turn left into White Lee Lane. This soon leads down sharply to the River Brock and then climbs out of the valley. Turn next right. After another mile and a quarter turn left onto Delph Lane. The car park is a further 1000m on the left.

 

Summary: Time: 3 - 4 hours

                  Distance: 12k 7 ½ m

                  Summary: The first half of this walk is a serious moorland yomp mainly on good tracks but with some sections prone to saturation after wet weather. The second half is much easier along farm tracks and across pasture.

 

 

 Map by kind permission of the Blackpool Gazette.

 

Directions: Car park to Fiendsdale Head. 6k 4m From the car park turn left onto Delph Lane and walk to Stang Yule.

 

 Turn right onto a track that takes you behind the property and then after a gate turn left onto a track that takes you through trees to a kissing gate.

 

Beyond this the moor opens out. Follow a broad track, at first, keeping parallel to the wall on the right. When the track bears right continue upwards along a peaty path.

 

Further ahead this upgrades itself back into a broad track. 2k or 30 mins from Stang Yule you may wish to battle through heather and bilberry on your left to visit the trig. point on the highest point of this fell. On regaining the track follow it as it crosses Clough Head Brook and then edge to the left of a hill (unnamed on the map) to reach its terminus.

 

From here you need to follow a series of stone markers across the fell side to reach Fiendsdale Head distinguished by a ladder stile across a boundary fence.

 

 

 

Fiendsdale Head to car park. 6k 4m As befits a watershed between two valleys Fiendsdale Head is a damp place underfoot as if the water cannot make up its mind whether to flow down towards Langden or to feed into the River Brock. At first the path is far from distinct. However by going at right angles from the ladder stile and with a little persistence you should be able to discern the downward track. It soon becomes much more definite as you drop towards Bleasdale. To your left you will enjoy a most impressive view of Fairsnape Fell.

 

 Soon after reaching the retaining wall a footpath sign will direct you left across pastures to a farm road. Turn right when you reach it.

 

After the drama of the high fells this is easy untroubled walking. After passing Hazelhurst Cottage and farm the road takes you down to a junction at Clough Heads Cottages.

 

A right turn here will take you to Stang Yule. Alternatively you can cross to a grassy track on a route which will take you across fields to Delph Lane. After passing the handsome house of Bleasdale Tower on your right,

 

cross the next field diagonally left to a gate on its far side. Pass through a neck of woodland on a (muddy) track that leads to Broadgate Farm.

 

Follow the sign to the left through its yard and then turn right. The footpath crosses to a stile and then continues up a slight rise edging past a farm on the left.

 

Following the hedge on the left will bring you to the farm's drive. This leads down to Delph Lane. Turn right for the car park.

 

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