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| Egg-stra Special Easter Walk
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Date : 12th April 2009
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Leader : Sue Larder |
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Report by : Phil Bedson |
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Photos © : Phil Bedson |
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| CLICK HERE FOR ROUTE DETAILS |
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| The River Ribble | |
It was a wonderful Spring day for this Easter Sunday walk from Hurst Green which was attended by no fewer than 16 members of Hyndburn Ramblers. After parking up at the village hall car park we made our way back down through the village to take the path by the left side of the Shireburne Arms hotel. A pleasant field path took us downhill, through a small wood and over more fields before we emerged onto the bank of the River Ribble.
It was extremely easy walking and the sun made it all the more worthwhile. We hugged the edge of the river as it wound it’s way through fields, past the farmhouse of Jumbles, until we chose a nice location for a stop. We were close to the old Hacking Boat House (now a private residence), with a splendid view of the even older Hacking Hall on the opposite bank off to our left. We watched as a lone heron stood at the waters edge surveying both us and the water for his next meal before being startled and flying off downstream.
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left:
The view to Hacking Hall |
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right: Lunch on the riverbank |
After a while there was a rallying call and everybody got themselves back on their feet. The walk resumed along the riverbank and it was good to see lots of others out on such a lovely day. Our route took us past the confluence of the river’s Ribble and Hodder just before going through Winckley Hall Farm, then it was up a short rise and across fields to join the B6243 road. Turning right down to the Lower Hodder Bridge we paused to view the old bridge alongside. Known locally as Cromwell’s Bridge it is said to have been used by the great man himself during the Civil War period.
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left:
A Ribble Valley view |
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right: Cromwells Bridge |
Here we resumed our riverside walking although now it was the banks of the Hodder. The track was made for good walking and a steady pace was had as we made our way around to the short climb up to Hodder Place. The track dropped down to cross a small bridge in amongst a small wood and we turned left to follow a path through the trees. We arrived at a small bridge which led to a flight of steps uphill, our leader assured us there were 132, and began the steady climb to the top. A well earned break for a drink was taken in the shelter of the trees after our exertions.
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left:
Track through the trees |
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right: The stream at the bottom of the steps |
The path continued on to a stile into a field where we emerged into the spring sunshine once again. Following the edge of the field round we shortly arrived at a little track, past Woodfields, to emerge on a road. Turning right we then followed the road round to discover our intended route was diverted due to building work. A little more road walking was required before we entered a field that gave us a wonderful first view of Stonyhurst College. We crossed the grass towards it in awe.
Photo’s aplenty were taken as we passed by the historic school buildings. We went through a gate and followed our last leg of field paths around the edge of the playing fields. Upon entering the farmland we watched as a farmer and his dog rounded up a small flock of errant sheep. All too soon though we were back from where we’d started our walk. A little pause as we passed the Almshouses to decipher the village names on a plaque and that was it. Everyone agreed it had been a superb days walking.
Spring had definitely arrived.
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| Stonyhurst College | |
| OS EXPLORER 289 |
WEST PENNINES |
START POINT |
SD 684 381 |
| WALK LENGTH |
7.30 mls / 11.75 km |
APPROX TIME |
2 hrs 45 m |
| MAX HEIGHT |
135.36 mtrs |
MIN HEIGHT |
32.42 mtrs |
| HEIGHT ASCENDED |
231.16 mtrs |
HEIGHT DESCENDED |
231.16 mtrs |
This map is for reference only and MUST NOT be used to do the walk.
Please use the correct OS map for all these walks.
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