Across the roof of the West Pennine Moors
Winter Hill's 309metre television transmitter mast makes it a landmark that can be seen for some considerable distance. Certainly for this walk it is a useful point of reference (in clear weather) for an exhilarating yomp across the upland ridge to the east of Chorley.
Time: 4½ - 5 hours.
Terrain: A demanding moorland yomp with two ascents of over 300 feet.
Start: Car park and picnic area on Crookfield Road, just off A675 on left, 2½ miles south of Abbey Village.
Map
1. Car park to summit of Great Hill. (3k or 1.9 miles: 50 minutes)
By returning to the A675, crossing it and walking a little over 100 metres northwards, you will be able to locate a clear path taking you to the summit of Great Hill. However a more interesting route turns left from the car park and following the lane as it bends sharply left towards Tockholes (pronounced "Tockles") takes a bridleway on the left down to the ruins Hollinshead Hall.
Not much remains of the former Manor House apart from the Well House, tucked away at the back of the site on the right.
This building merits closer inspection.
Continuing on the walk take a footpath to the left as you leave the site, on the very edge of Roddlesworth Woods. Make the most of these trees – you will not be in close proximity to any for the next hour or so. When you reach the A675 exercise great care crossing it. Then turn right until a footpath sign is reached.
Cross a wooden stile and follow the path across the soggy moors. After crossing a stream ascend to the top of Great Hill. A stone shelter if close to its highest point. (381m).
The views are extensive – especially to the north. In clear conditions Black Combe in the Lake District can easily be picked out.
2. Great Hill to Winter Hill. (4k or 2 ½ miles: 1 hour)
Now begins a superb moorland yomp, assisted in no small manner by a platform of stone flags leading south towards the masts of Winter Hill. Indeed without them, presumably laid as an anti-erosion measure, progress across the peaty plateau would very difficult. With them progress can be rapid. Enjoy! After 40 minutes just below Hordern Pasture a wall is reached and the stone flagged road peters out, but soon Rivington Road comes into sight and the now muddier track takes you down to Hordern Stoops. The way to the top of Winter Hill is clear – across a stile on the other side of the road and up following the line of a fence. Just before the top, the path becomes very steep indeed and care needs to be exercised. Once on the broad summit plateau of Winter Hill you are confronted with an array of masts and aerials, dominated by the main transmitter one of the tallest of its kind.
The trig. point is on a grassy mound 200 metres to the left.
3. Winter Hill to Belmont. (2k or 1¼ miles: 30 minutes)
Follow the service road for a further 300 yards.The way is crossed by a footpath just past this warning sign.
Take this path down the flank of the hill. In 20 minutes, and a few metres beyond this concrete sign
take a narrow path on the left leading down to a stile.
Traversing marshy groundyou reach a wooden gate/stile
and the path beyond leads to the A675. (Do not worry too much if you overshoot this junction – the main path will put you on the same road adding an extra 500 yards to the route). On the A675 turn left to reach the village of Belmont. Exercise great care crossing the road to the pavement opposite. Refreshment may be taken at the Black Dog Inn. (see below)
4. Belmont to Car park (4½ Km or 2.8 miles: 1 hour 10 minutes)
If refreshment has been taken at the Black Dog Inn return to the A675 turn right and then left into Egerton Road. The lane dips
down to the mill complex that once was Belmont Dye Works. Across the
bridge on the left look for an almost concealed footpath.
Take this * as it leads upwards to Lower Whittaker and then follow farm road up to where it gives out onto a lane (Longworth Road North) below Higher Whittaker. Turn left. The lane drops down to the south end of Belmont Reservoir.
Take the lane on the right by the reservoir that leads up Higher Pasture House. From this farm
continue upwards along a track with a wall on your right. At the junction
turn left and along a good track return to Crookfield Road and the car park in about 30 minutes.
* When this path was checked in early September 2008 we found it to be very overgrown with bramble and shrubs for the first 20 metres or so.
The Black Dog Inn
This Holt's house has much to commend it and is a most welcome sight after a long yomp across the roof of the West Pennine Moors. It has a large dining area giving out onto an attractive parlour window, but for those who prefer a degree of intimacy it has a number of smaller rooms/eating areas making for a cosy atmosphere. The menu is extensive and offers starters, main course and desserts, as well as a range of bar snacks and sandwiches. A welcoming and friendly place to dine.
Take this * as it leads upwards to Lower Whittaker and then follow farm road up to where it gives out onto a lane (Longworth Road North) below Higher Whittaker. Turn left. The lane drops down to the south end of Belmont Reservoir.
Take the lane on the right by the reservoir that leads up Higher Pasture House. From this farm
continue upwards along a track with a wall on your right. At the junction
turn left and along a good track return to Crookfield Road and the car park in about 30 minutes.
* When this path was checked in early September 2008 we found it to be very overgrown with bramble and shrubs for the first 20 metres or so.
The Black Dog Inn