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| Clogging Around Hyndburn |
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Date : 29th-31st August 2009
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Leader : Pauline Hughes |
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Report by : Phil Bedson |
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Photos © : Phil Bedson |
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| The Hyndburn Clog Waymark | |
A bus ride up to the start point at Stanhill was the moment five members of Hyndburn Ramblers realised that they had three days of walking ahead. The Hyndburn Clog is a challenge walk covering 32 miles or so around the borough boundary and was originally devised to mark the 50th anniversary of the Ramblers organisation back in 1985. Although it was also meant to be done in just one day it is much more enjoyable to be able to take ones time and therein lies the three day timescale. Day one would be the sections from Stanhill to Acre (or Winfields to those in the know!)
Alighting from the bus at the stop near to Stanhill Post Office, once the home of James Hargreaves the inventor of the Spinning Jenny, it was just a short stretch of road that led to our first footpath. We went downhill to join a lane which would wind its way past Magnolls Farm and the motorway, up past Sough Lane Farm and Four Lane Ends, to join South Lane until we reached Sough Pits. A footpath off to our right would take us through fields to cross the notorious A6177 (using extreme caution) and on into the village of Belthorn.
Belthorn village, one of the highest in Lancashire, is traditionally a weaving and mining village. Most of the cottages are typical of weavers' cottages built in the 19th century. Due to the height there are stunning views all around and we were even afforded a glimpse of Blackpool Tower in the far distance.
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left:
Looking refreshed near the start! |
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right: Towards Darwen Tower from Belthorn |
We left Belthorn via field paths and small lanes to reach the small chapel at Pickup Bank where we crossed the lane leading down to Hoddlesden and continued on past Height End to ascend up to the road. We crossed the road and took the footpath across the moor and we were rewarded by a superb view down the Haslingden Grane valley. Passing a ruin we were informed by one of the group that it was apparently known as a place where whisky spinning took place. This was the production of illicit whisky by local weavers and spinners as a side line but, as this avoided the heavy taxes associated with alcohol in days gone by, it could have serious consequences for anyone caught. It wasn’t long after this, after ascending a wooded path up the side of Musbury Heights that we stopped for lunch.
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left:
Our first view of the Grane reservoirs |
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right: The ruins of the Whisky Spinning house |
Resuming after our refreshments we followed the paved path over the moorland to approach Hog Law Pike but took a stile shortly before the peak into a field. It was at this point we felt a bit of rain and looking off to our right we could see it moving in on us so we stopped and donned the waterproofs. It was just in time too as we were hit by an almighty downpour which at times felt like hail. We were thoroughly drenched in the next fifteen minutes as we followed field paths and lanes round to Causeway Height and over to the ruins of Causeway End. From here we rejoined the Rossendale Way past Rushy Leach and up through the disused quarry of Musbury Heights. We passed the chimney and made our way down to the bottom of the old track that took the spoil wagons up and down the side for transportation away. Field paths took us back up to join the A6177 again where a welcome diversion to the Duke of Wellington was instigated.
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left:
Causeway Heights |
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right: Downhill to the Ogden reservoirs |
We left refreshed and made our way past Leys End and round past Clod Farm to join the good path past Windy Harbour. Shortly thereafter we ignored the nice green track off to the left to maintain our way forward towards Higher Swineherd Lowe Farm. We continued on through and took the stile just before the next building and made our way round to be faced with confusion which, after discussion with the farmer, turned out to be due to his erection of a ‘temporary’ electric fence. Back on the right track we headed downhill and on through Coldwells and followed the lane on to join the road. Feeling that the sporadic showers had now stopped we removed the waterproofs and continued the final part in bright sunshine.
After crossing the road we entered the yard of the next house en-route and a good deal of searching was required to spot the well hidden stile. We descended the field and after crossing the bypass it was just one short ascent and descent before we arrived at our finish point for day one in good time.
The number in the group had doubled to ten souls on the second day which would take us from Acre (Winfields) over Hameldon to a northern extreme of the walk at Cock Bridge, close to the public house called The Gamecock. Our route resumed over the Winfields car park and up to join the lane through to Stonefold. The walking on this part is very straightforward and the first mile or so up to Mitchell’s House reservoirs is quickly covered. We ignore the lane as it turns up to the reservoirs and continue straight on to go through the disused quarry workings to join the ancient byway known locally as The Kings Highway. We followed the well defined track up and round until a point where a number of paths join and, after a brief water stop, duly took the one off to our right up to May Road Well. A wall stile took us onto the moorland around the western fringe of Great Hameldon and we followed the boundary path around to Windy Harbour where a bit of climbing over a gate was required due to it being naughtily fastened by barb wire.
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left:
Along the King's Highway |
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right: Skirting Hameldon |
The route then took us eastwards around to Snipe Rake where a welcome cuppa was partaken before continuing on over and through Hameldon Scouts and its huge, now disused, quarry. Great views of our route ahead were visible from this point and indeed the shooting butts from the WWII firing range immediately below us were seen from a great perspective. We dropped down the quarry workings and crossed the firing range - thankfully unused nowadays - to enter a small woodland where we made our way down to a stile. At Miste Farm we joined the track that leads down to where we crossed the A679 and taking the stile immediately ahead we proceeded down the field to drop down to a kissing gate. Ignoring the footbridge we took the path through the trees to emerge at the picnic site at Childers Green. We left the site and entered the woods after where a suitable spot was found for lunch. Thankfully the weather had stayed dry for us so far and the waterproofs stayed firmly in the rucksacks.
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left:
Through Hameldon Scouts |
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right: The firing range trench with Pendle Hill beyond |
After lunch the path left the woods and crossed the rail tracks which would be the first of three transport routes crossed/encountered within 100metres or so. Almost immediately we turned to go under the M65 motorway at the other side of which lies the Leeds-Liverpool canal. A diagonal field path took us over to a lane which we followed round past Shuttleworth House to join the aforementioned canal towpath. Shortly thereafter we left the towpath and arrived at Shuttleworth Hall. This place has the potential to be extremely beautiful but alas the colour and general demeanour leave it looking a bit run down. The following field paths take you away from Shuttleworth and lead you past the industrial estate and to join a small lane up to Altham Bridge. Crossing the A678 we descended some steps to follow the riverside path, which gave us a great view of St Marys’ Church, to Gooseleach Woods and up through the disused railway to ascend the hill to Read. Looking back we could see our route all the way to Hameldon Scouts.
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left:
St. Marys', Altham |
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right: View towards Great Harwood from Read |
We crossed the A671 and went uphill to turn left and follow the track through to Read Hall passing the now defunct icehouse on our right. The approach is lined with the now converted estate stables, pigpens and other outhouses which make quite nice cottages. Rounding the corner it is still a nice surprise to see the front of Read Hall although it’s grandness seems to have diminished a little. The drive down is followed all the way back to the A671 which is crossed directly to another lane that takes us straight on to Cock Bridge. This is the official end of day two although we headed uphill to pass the first stile of day three just below the Gamecock Inn where a welcome drink was enjoyed by a few of the number.
The very same ten turned up again for day three and after arriving at the Gamecock Inn an air of eagerness was evident for the day ahead. This section would cover from Cock Bridge back to the start at Stanhill. We set off along the banks of the Calder and made our way around the river to eventually join up with Dean Lane. It was a stifling morning and as we ascended the hill up to Horse Bowers everybody was beginning to remove layers. A quick water stop was also taken before resuming along the lane before taking the field path to Brierleys’ and on along Moor Lane. The deafening noise of motorbike scrambling could be heard as we approached Black Hill but quite amazingly they couldn’t be seen!
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left:
The River Calder |
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right: A small clapperbridge |
Taking a stile off the lane and down through a relatively new plantation, the path then entered a more mature woodland which in turn led into a field and over to Sunny Bank. The gorse bushes were in their resplendent yellow bloom as we made our way towards Dean Clough reservoir. Taking the bridleway along the north west edge we had proceeded about 250metres when our leader called a halt and we sat for a break looking out over the resplendent view.
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left:
Sunbeams over Hyndburn |
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right: Negotiating a stile |
The forecast rain was nowhere to be seen as we continued on our way along the bridleway and, upon reaching the lane, we turned uphill until we reached a stile into the field. We crossed this field past its incumbent cattle to round the tip of Parsonage reservoir to the road. The road is pretty quiet to walk along before taking the path off at the dam end of Parsonage and heading over the fields to the wonderfully named Middle Mickle Hey farm. It was however shortly after this we reached possibly the worst stretch of the weekend. After climbing the stile the area that followed was uneven, boggy and covered in nettles so tall you had your hands at chest height to stop yourself getting stung. Arrival at the road at the top was greeted with a ‘phew!’ at it being over. The next stretch was downhill for a while before turning left to follow the path through to Lower Cunliffe farm. The field path was very pleasant but for the herd of young bulls which seemed to take umbrage at us for daring to enter their field although they did keep a little distant. From here we took the lane round to the canal bridge. We sat on the canal bank in the blazing sunshine eating our lunch in the full knowledge we had just two and a half miles to go.
As we set off up Cut Lane we were in good spirits and after crossing the A678 we proceeded to go over the motorway and up to Cowhill Fold. The way we should have gone was blocked so a diversion through the farmyard was needed and are we glad. The new buildings that face you as you go forward are nothing of real note but if you stop and turn round in front of them you’ll be pleasantly surprised. The old original house is still there, albeit rundown, but its architecture is a joy to behold and one must wonder why it isn’t being better preserved. Research has suggested that the house has it’s origins as far back as the 14thC although the building you see is certainly much later.
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left:
Bowley Hill |
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right: Old Cowhill Fold |
From Cowhill we took the field paths downhill to Wolfenden Farm and after crossing the A679 it was uphill via field paths all the way back to our start point at Stanhill. The sun was blasting down and we made our way to the Stanhill Inn for a celebratory drink. It was closed. An alternative was quickly decided upon and whilst we celebrated those five who had completed all three days were presented with their certificates and badges.
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| The Famous Five | |
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Day One |
Day Two |
Day Three |
Total |
| MAP |
Explorer 289 West Pennine Moors |
| START GRID REF |
SD 723 277 |
SD 786 251 |
SD 745 339 |
SD 723 277 |
| FINISH GRID REF |
SD 786 251 |
SD 745 339 |
SD 723 277 |
SD 723 277 |
| WALK LENGTH (M/km) |
12.50/20.11 |
10.70/17.22 |
8.80/14.16 |
32.00/51.49 |
| MAX HEIGHT (mtrs) |
384.14 |
363.44 |
226.23 |
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| MIN HEIGHT (mtrs) |
170.76 |
57.22 |
55.46 |
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| HEIGHT ASCENDED (mtrs) |
649.68 |
380.52 |
430.99 |
1461.19 |
| HEIGHT DESCENDED (mtrs) |
600.69 |
546.22 |
314.28 |
1461.19 |
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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