Waddington to Slaidburn
If you can overcome the logistics of getting back to your car, a point to point linear route is psychologically a satisfying arrangement – every step takes you nearer your destination. This route connects to of Lancashire's loveliest villages with a challenging chunk of moorland in between.
Start: Waddington Village Centre. From junction 31 M6 take the A59 to Clitheroe. Follow signs for the town centre and then the B for Waddington.
Map by kind permission of the Blackpool Gazette
Factfile: Distance:
Time:
Summary: Though not of a great height traversing Waddington Fell in late winter demands you should be well equipped and be confident in route finding.
Map: OS OL 41 The Forest of Bowland
Directions: Walk into the village which seems to be-straddle the brook that runs through it, with quaint but necessary bridges all adding to the charm of the place. If either of the pubs is open or the tea room, some of you will see no point in going any further. For the determined walkers take the right fork when the road divides. Keep right on reaching the lane. This will take you past the Hospital (a 18th century almshouse).
Just beyond the Hospital turn left onto a footpath.
This takes you past the almshouses and onto a stony farm track beyond them. When the track bends to the left, keep ahead between two trees and a gate.
The path follows the edge of a wooded clough.
As you approach Feazer Farm, the path crosses a stone stile and then turns right onto the farm road.
The way is up, but that will not be immediately obvious. Just before the farm house turn left through a yard towards a reservoir.
Bear left of the reservoir to arrive at a stile.
Once again the wooded clough is on your left. Follow it upwards. Where the wood begins to curve to the left, the path will drop to a footbridge in the very corner of the field.
The path will bring you, between house, onto a lane. Bear right, crossing a "weak bridge" to arrive at Cuttock Clough Farm and Barn.
Keep straight on this track, past the white farmhouse of Seedals on left.
At the point where the tarmac track turns right downwards, turn left onto a rough bridleway.
This is Moor Lane and will take you close to the top of the moors. Beyond a small barn and a pair of wooden gates, the bridleway follows a wall on the left.
500m beyond the barn the track turns slightly to the right and then 300m further on, through a wooden gate, turns sharply right towards an extensive conifer plantation on the skyline.
15-20 minutes later you will reach the edge of this plantation. Here turn left and continue the ascent. 300m further on, a prominent pile of stones will be seen on a rise. Take the path through heather to reach it.
This is a fine viewpoint for reviewing the route you have just climbed as well as admiring Pendle Hill across the Ribble Valley.
Follow the path through a pair of redundant gateposts towards the aerial mast on the crest of Waddington Fell.
On this upland section of the route the Bowland Fells will come into view to the north. As you near the road turn sharply right onto another track that crests the hill and begins a long descent towards the green pastures of the Upper Hodder Valley.
The moor is featureless apart from evidence of grouse husbandry. By degrees the track improves to bring you to the farm house at Fellside with its noisy dogs.
Turn right through the yard and continue on the farm road. As you reach the near farm (Skelshaw) turn right towards a green barn with its prominent clock
and then left past a small pond.
Cross a stile and keep ahead with a stream on your left.
After crossing two fields bear right in the third aiming towards Broadhead Farm.
Pass through a metal gate marked with an upturned bucket to reach a second leading to a farm track.
Turn left and then right to reach the drive. Turn left and in 250m reach the lane.
Cross the lane to a footpath and continue at first with the wall on your left.At the field corner go through a metal gate and continue with the wall on your right.
The path will take you down to step stile over a wall. Over this and bear left on a path leading to the B 6478 just outside Slaidburn, now in view.
Turn right and then left onto a path leading steeply downhill to reach the Hodder Bridge.
Turn right and walk into the village.