WHAT DO I WEAR?

So, you would love to try walking with us but you don't have all the gear?
For starters you need to select your first walk with care, as the type of walk can determine what you need to wear.
Let's start at the bottom - well fitting walking boots or strong walking shoes or good wellington boots. These should be worn over a good pair of thick socks.
Initially you need not go to great expense for outer garments, a plastic mac will suffice for most summer showers but a proper waterproof coat will pay for itself many times during the colder weather.
Under your coat you can basically wear what you like but remember that layers of thin clothes will prove to be better than just one thick layer. Thinner clothes can be put on or taken off as your body and the air temperatures change.
For your legs then shorts, tracksuit bottoms or lightweight trousers are the preferred choices of many walkers. Avoid wearing jeans as they can get very uncomfortable if they get wet.

EQUIPMENT?

A rucksack. Most people have something along those lines these days, but if you haven't and you can't borrow one from your family or friends then anything sensible will do at the beginning.

Now you are kitted out for your first of very many enjoyable and possibly edifying walks.
As you become more confident and find the enjoyment that walking can offer you, then you will undoubtably progress to obtaining more robust and dedicated clothing. Advice is always forthcoming from your fellow walkers and from the staff at specialist shops such as The Fell & Mountain Shop in Accrington.

Even when going out locally, it’s best to get the latest information about where and when you can go; for example, your rights to go onto some areas of open land may be restricted while work is carried out, for safety reasons, or during breeding season. Follow advice and local signs, and be prepared for the unexpected.
Refer to up-to-date maps or guidebooks, visit www.countrysideaccess.gov.uk or contact local information centres. You’re responsible for your own safety and for others in your care, so be prepared for changes in weather and other events. V Again visit www.countrysideaccess.gov.uk for links to organisations offering specific advice on equipment and safety, or contact visitor information centres and libraries for a list of outdoor recreation groups.
Check weather forecasts before you leave and don’t be afraid to turn back.
Part of the appeal of the countryside is that you can get away from it all. You may not see anyone for hours, and there are many places without clear mobile phone signals, so let someone else know where you’re going and when you expect to return.
Get to know the signs and symbols used in the countryside to show paths and open countryside, see www.countrysideaccess.gov.uk.

LEAVE GATES AND PROPERTY AS YOU FIND THEM

Please respect the working life of the countryside, as our actions can affect people’s livelihoods, our heritage, and the safety and welfare of animals and ourselves.
A farmer will normally leave a gate closed to keep livestock in, but may sometimes leave it open so they can reach food and water. Leave gates as you find them or follow instructions on signs; if walking in a group, make sure the last person knows how to leave the gates. If you think a sign is illegal or misleading (for example, a ‘Private - No Entry’ sign on a public footpath), contact the local authority.
Follow paths across land that has crops growing on it, wherever possible.
Use gates and stiles wherever possible - climbing over walls, hedges and fences can damage them and increase the risk of farm animals escaping.
Our heritage belongs to all of us - be careful not to disturb ruins and historic sites.
Leave machinery and livestock alone - don’t interfere with animals even if you think they’re in distress. Try to alert the farmer instead.

PROTECT PLANTS AND ANIMALS, AND TAKE YOUR LITTER HOME

We have a responsibility to protect our countryside now and for future generations, so make sure you don’t harm animals, birds, plants or trees.
Litter and leftover food doesn’t just spoil the beauty of the countryside, it can be dangerous to wildlife and farm animals and can spread disease - so take your litter home with you. Dropping litter and dumping rubbish are criminal offences.
Discover the beauty of the natural environment and take special care not to damage, destroy or remove features such as rocks, plants and trees. They provide homes and food for wildlife, and add to everybody’s enjoyment of the countryside. Wild animals and farm animals can behave unpredictably if you get too close, especially if they’re with their young - so give them plenty of space.
Fires can be as devastating to wildlife and habitats as they are to people and property - so be careful not to drop a match or smouldering cigarette at any time of the year. Sometimes, controlled fires are used to manage vegetation, particularly on heaths and moors between October and early April, so please check that a fire is not supervised before calling 999.

KEEP DOGS UNDER CLOSE CONTROL

The countryside is a great place to exercise dogs, but it’s every owner’s duty to make sure their dog is not a danger or nuisance to farm animals, wildlife or other people.
By law, you must control your dog so that it does not disturb or scare farm animals or wildlife. You must keep your dog on a short lead on most areas of open country and common land between 1 March and 31 July, and at all times near farm animals.
You do not have to put your dog on a lead on public paths, as long as it is under close control. But as a general rule, keep your dog on a lead if you cannot rely on its obedience. By law, farmers are entitled to destroy a dog that injures or worries their animals.
If a farm animal chases you and your dog, it is safer to let your dog off the lead - don’t risk getting hurt by trying to protect it.
Take particular care that your dog doesn’t scare sheep and lambs or wander where it might disturb birds that nest on the ground and other wildlife - eggs and young will soon die without protection from their parents.
Everyone knows how unpleasant dog mess is and how it can cause infections, so always clean up after your dog and get rid of the mess responsibly. Also, make sure your dog is wormed regularly.
At certain times, dogs may not be allowed on some areas of open land or may need to be kept on a lead. Please follow any signs. You can also find out more about these rules from www.countrysideaccess.gov.uk or by emailing or by telephoning 0845 100 3298.

CONSIDER OTHER PEOPLE

Showing consideration and respect for other people makes the countryside a pleasant environment for everyone - at home, at work and at leisure.
Busy traffic on small country roads can be unpleasant and dangerous to local people, visitors and wildlife - so slow down and, where possible, leave your vehicle at home, consider sharing lifts and use alternatives such as public transport or cycling.
Respect the needs of local people - for example, don’t block gateways, driveways or other entry points with your vehicle.
Keep out of the way when farm animals are being gathered or moved and follow directions from the farmer.
When riding a bike or driving a vehicle, slow down for horses, walkers and livestock and give them plenty of room. By law, cyclists must give way to walkers and horse riders.
Support the rural economy - for example, buy your supplies from local shops.

Hyndburn Ramblers Group are part of North-East Lancashire Area of the Ramblers Association .
The Ramblers Association promotes rambling, protects rights of way, campaigns for access to open country and defends the beauty of the countryside.

The Hyndburn Clog was originally conceived by Hyndburn Ramblers in 1985 to mark the 50th Anniversary of the Ramblers Association and was therefore, in it's original state, a 50km route. In the late 1990's it underwent a makeover with the production of new route leaflets and a new design badge and certificate. These were gratefully sponsored by Accrington's Fell & Mountain shop.

The Original Badge		The Current Badge

Within twelve months however it had been adopted by Hyndburn Borough Council (HBC) as the Borough's Official Long Distance Path and was graced with a glossy publication (below left) featuring not only the whole route but subsidiary shorter routes too. The route was also marked out with a specially designed way-marker (below right).
Due to changes within the footpath network the total route length has now increased to 53km but the walk is fundamentally the same as originally planned.

HBC's glossy booklet		HBC's Waymarker

The whole route description is below, in sections 1 to 7, and it is followed by the two subsidiary routes devised by HBC.

Here at Hyndburn Ramblers we hope that you may one day partake of our very own Long Distance Path and enjoy some of the history and beauty that this particular corner of Lancashire has to offer.
If you do complete the Hyndburn Clog and would like a Badge and Certificate then please E-MAIL US for further details.

Click on image for large route map