344 November Walks from Hollingworth

Our next walking will be from the Weighver's Seaport near Rochdale, just an hours drive away, yet with some great walking country around

it is

Hollingworth

and will take place on

Saturday 9th November 2013

0800hrs prompt from short stay car park in the village

Hollingworth Lake in summer

Hollingworth Lake is a 130-acre (53 ha) reservoir at Smithy Bridge, in Littleborough — part of the Metropolitan Borough of Rochdale, in Greater Manchester, England. The lake was originally built as the main water source for the Rochdale Canal, but developed as a tourist resort from the 1860s, and became known as the Weighver's Seaport. Hotels were built around it, at least two of which had outdoor dancing stages with gas lighting. Tourism was helped by the arrival of the railway in 1839, which brought day-trippers and weekend visitors from Manchester, Bradford and Leeds.

The popularity of the lake as a resort declined in the early twentieth century, and the area was used as an army camp during the First World War. The canal company sold the reservoir, with seven others, to the Oldham and Rochdale Corporations for water supply in 1923, by which time the canal was in terminal decline. After the Second World War, boating rights were bought by Rochdale Council, who developed the area into the Hollingworth Lake Country Park in 1974. There has been a steady increase in facilities since, and it is now a thriving centre for water sports and other activities.

The lake was used for training by Captain Matthew Webb, before he became the first man to swim the English Channel in 1875, and was used for the "World Professional Mile Championship", a long-distance swimming event, in the 1880s. It is home to the Hollingworth Lake Rowing Club, which has been in continuous existence since 1872. 

There will be three walks;

• A Walk led by: Tony McDonald
• B Walk led by: Beverley Kelly
• C Walk led by: Les Gibson

Details will be added as they become available, but by Saturday 2nd November 

History of Hollingworth here 

A Walk from Hollingworth Visitor Centre 2013

Walk Leader: Tony McDonald
Distance:  10+ miles approx  
Total Ascent/descent: 1650ft

Awaiting details

B Walk from Hollingworth Visitor Centre 2013

Walk Leader: Beverley Kelly  
Distance: 8 miles approx
Total Ascent/descent: 1300ft

Aiggin Stone and the Weighvers Way

B Route anticlockwise

This walk is a repeat of the 2010 walk which was so successful because of its variety of terrain and views. We walk through woods, across a golf course, on a Roman Road; discover a 600yr old landmark, rescued animals and a relaxing stroll along the restored Rochdale Canal, the only thing missing from last time may be the beautiful crisp snow but hopefully we will have the brilliant sunshine to make the grasses glow.

Leach Hill and Higher Chelburn Reservoir

We shall be ascending past the Visitor Centre, where I have been assured that the wardens will let us use the toilets when it opens at 9.30am, before traversing the pathway through the trees towards Littleborough. 

At some steps we ascend through more woods towards the golf course and alongside it, not stopping at the 19th hole! to reach the Rochdale Way.

Near the road we pass alongside some delightful old cottages and continue the gentle climb up and as it gets a bit steeper we encounter the Roman road, complete with drainage channel, which climbs to the Aiggin Stone and Blackstone Edge (and beyond). Look for the Latin cross and the letters I & T on the Aiggin Stone 

We now cross moorland towards the White House, crossing the Broad Head Drain just before we meet the Halifax Road, then head towards the Chelburn Reservoirs, down a bleak valley, past a farm looking after rescued animals, which used to have a warning that somebody!!! would be shot if the animals were fed!!! This thankfully has gone.

A short climb to Leach Hill where we have a lovely view of this high valley before descending to Summit and the canal. This may be our lunch spot if we can last out this long? 

From Summit it is then a pleasant 1.5 mile stroll downhill along the Rochdale canal and several locks to Littleborough and a return back via a good pathway which you will recognise towards the visitor centre at Hollingworth

C Walk at Hollingworth Visitor Centre 2013

Walk Leader: Les Gibson
Distance: 6 miles approx  
Total Ascent/descent: 600ft

C Route anticlockwise

The ‘C’ walk starts after coffee etc. at the visitor centre, with a walk around the lake enjoying the lovely views across the lake, and the many different types of aquatic birds. We then make a small climb up and over Benny Hill !! which leads to the Pennine Way, which affords us with some beautiful scenery, weather permitting. After leaving the Pennine Way we make our way to the canal which leads us back ( via a bit of mud! ) to the visitor centre for further refreshments. There are no stiles on this walk.

 

343 October walks from Grasmere

Our next walking will be from a charming village right in the heart of the Lake District National Park in Cumbria, and was once the home of the famous poet William Wordsworth. Famous for Gingerbread and William Wordsworth, it has been a regular venue for the club because of its wonderful views, variety of walks shops and refreshment venues. It is

Grasmere

and will take place on

Saturday 12th October 2013

0800hrs prompt from short stay car park in the village

Helm Crag in Autumn

The village is on the river Rothay which flows into the lake Grasmere about 0.5 km to the south. The village is overlooked from the NW by the rocky hill of Helm Crag, popularly known as The Lion and the Lamb or the Old Lady at the Piano. These names are derived from the shape of rock formations on its summit, depending on which side you view it from.[2]

A number of popular walks begin near the centre of the village, including the ascent of Helm Crag and a longer route up to Fairfield. The village is also on the route of Alfred Wainwright's Coast to Coast Walk.[3]

Grasmere Village

The A591 connects Grasmere to the Vale of Keswick over Dunmail Raise to the north, and Ambleside to the south. In other directions, Grasmere is surrounded by high ground. To the west, a long ridge comes down from High Raise and contains the lesser heights of Blea Rigg and Silver How. To the east, Grasmere is bordered by the western ridge of the Fairfield horseshoe.

There will be three walks:

• A Walk led by: Peter Hitchcock
• B Walk led by:Shirley and Joan
• C Walk led by: Heather Sissons

For more details about Grasmere click here

5 day Weather Forecast for Grasmere here.

A Walk Grasmere 2013

Walk Leader: Peter Hitchcock
Distance: 9 miles
Total Ascent/descent: 2300ft

click to enlarge

elevation profile

If the weather is good, this walk will present the very best the area has to offer: beautiful views of Grasmere and Windemere—from a height—the archetypal valley view of Langdale Fell plus several tarns and waterfalls.

We leave Grasmere to the west for a reasonably easy but steady climb up along the flank of Silver How which eventually offers great views of both Grasmere and Windemere lakes.  We then strike north on a gradual climb to the Lang and Castle Hows via Raw Pike.  This section is easy going but could be quite bleak yet at one point there is an outstanding vantage point of the whole length of Langdale Fell towards Scafell Pike.  The path along Blea Rigg is a little ill-defined in places but, time permitting as we need to uphold a good pace, we shall divert westwards down to Stickle Tarn for lunch [halfway]. 

Retracing steps to Blea Rigg, possibly via a roughish climb, we then join a main artery down past Belles Knot, the beautiful Easedale tarn and the spectacular Sour Milk Gill waterfall.  If wet on this stony path, sticks will be invaluable.  The final section into Grasmere is easy-going and very scenic.

The 9-ish mile walk profile lives up to the ‘A’ standard and if a good pace is maintained there will be time to admire the outstanding scenery as well as enjoy the taste of a relaxing drink at the end.

An elevation profile from a min of 67m to 581m will provide you with a good leg-stretch!!!

B Walk Grasmere 2013

Walk Leader: Shirley & Joan
Total Distance: 7+ miles
Total ascent/Descent: 1350ft

Route anticlockwise, click to enlarge

Elevation Profile

A  beautiful walk to Alcock Tarn and then round Lake Grasmere.  Starting from the car and coach park in Grasmere we will walk up the minor road past Dove Cottage and then follow a well defined path to Alcock Tarn – unfortunately from Dove Cottage to the Tarn it is uphill all the way, so a steady climb for the first hour, but taken at your own pace, and with many stops along the way to admire the wonderful view down to Lake Grasmere which is the reason for the climb because, unfortunately, the view of the Tarn itself is not inspiring! 

Lake Grasmere

Alcock Tarn

  After climbing up of course we have to walk down, again at your own pace, and this time soaking up the sights of Grasmere valley.  Once back in Grasmere we will continue with a very picturesque walk round Lake Grasmere firstly on the road, then by the lakeshore. 

 From the head of the lake we continue to White Moss Common and then an undulating minor road back into Grasmere.

C Walk Grasmere 2013

Walk Leader: Heather Sissons
Total distance: 5.5 miles
Total Ascent/descent: 730 ft

click to enlarge

 This is a low level fell walk around Grasmere and Rydale Water. we start with coffee at the garden centre opposite to the church, then we take the path along Grasmere and the lower path by rydale Water.

After crossing the road we walk up to Rydale Mount but take a short detour through Rydal Hall grounds
The 'Coffin Trail' leads us back to Grasmere, passing Dove Cottage on the way.

343 September Walks from Trefriw

Our next walks will be from

"Trefriw - In the heart of the Conwy Valley"

A wonderful village on the foothills of Snowdonia

Saturday 14th September 2013

0800hrs prompt from the short stay car park at the back of Iceland 

Trefriw from the cob embankment

Trefriw (Welsh pronunciation: [ˈtrɛvrɨu]) is a village and community in Conwy County Borough, Wales. It lies on the river Conwy in North Wales, a few miles south of the site of the Roman fort of Canovium, sited at Caerhun. At the 2001 census, the community had a population of 924.^[1]
Trefriw lies on the edge of Snowdonia, on the B5106 road to the north-west of Llanrwst, and about 4½ miles north of Betws-y-coed by road. It is located on the western slopes of the glaciated Conwy valley, below the ridge of Cefn Cyfarwydd, the village having been largely built in a semicircle at the point where the river Crafnant flows from its hanging valley to join the river Conwy. The river Crafnant still provides power for the woollen mill, and in the past provided power for a number of other industries based along its banks, such as a forge which provided quarry tools.
Most of the village lies within the Snowdonia National Park, the boundary running down the main street of the village.
Apart from its reputation as a good starting point for walks, Trefriw is today mostly known for its woollen mills, and for the nearby chalybeate spa, first known to have been used by the Romans and further developed in about 1700. Its waters were one of very few throughout Europe to have been classified as a medicine due to their high iron content..........continued here...

Back in Trefriw at the end of the walk 2008

There will be FOUR walks:

• A Walk led by: Tony McDonald
• B Walk led by: Gwyn Jones
• C Walk led by:Terry Simmons 

*NEW*

•  D Walk: Not Led. for those who might like to have a day out but find the A-C walks to hard. It is a flat walk about 3 miles. It is basically across to Llanwrst and back. A guide and a map will be provided on the day.

Steamboat Pier, pre 1939

A Walk from Trefriw

Walk Leader: Tony McDonald
Total Distance:11 miles app
Total Ascent/descent: 2600ft app

click map to enlarge

Route elevation profile (Y axis bigger than normal)

This area of Wales is very pretty with lush fields and lovely green valleys. It's so green because it has some of the highest rain fall in the UK. Our walk is circular starting in the centre of Trefriw and heading roughly due South. The walk is challenging and takes in two small lakes and a reservoir. After the first lake the route is westerly, passing the base of the second lake Llyn Grafnant. At this point the foot path routes north through a wooded hill side which is quite challenging. On the the slopes of Pen y Graig Gron and on the reservoir by the dam. There is a long feed pipe that is interesting, but spoils the view, heading is now north east! Then the route heads back into Trefriw with a view of the woods, with waterfalls and the mountains. There is a regular change of scenery from forest to mountain trails. The total distance is 11 miles maximum altitude is 498 metres. I would do it again and have already walked it once, and that in the pouring rain! Tony McDonald (walk leader)