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| A Big Walk in Littledale |
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Date : 21st March 2010
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Leader : Jim Gleeson |
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Report by : Phil Bedson |
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Photos © : Phil Bedson |
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| At the top of Ward's Stone looking towards the coast | |
Eight members of Hyndburn Ramblers managed to find their way to the start point South East of Caton for an 11 mile walk in Littledale. Leaving the cars in the lay-by parking spot the group set off up the road to enter a field via a gate and were immediately rewarded with a great view into Littledale and beyond with our eventual target of Ward’s Stone visible in the distance. The sun was out and spirits were high as we descended the first couple of fields before the ground began going upwards again and taking a signed track through some trees we soon found ourselves on the edge of the moorland. The path was indistinct in places and the going was tough due to a combination of heather and very marshy ground. Before long we arrived at a metalled track near a large rock were an opportunity arose for a quick drink.
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left:
The lower slopes... |
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right: ...and onto the moor |
As our leader set off up the metalled track the group were just beginning to envisage some easy walking but a sharp right turn uphill meant it was back to the indistinct path through the heather and marsh. It was a very steady climb up to the top of Grit Fell where we got not only a closer look of Ward’s Stone ahead but also the wide expanse of moorland in between. It also heralded the announcement that upon reaching the aforementioned peak we would be having lunch. We trudged off behind the leader as we picked our way across the heather until we eventually arrived at a clear path, the line of which could be seen disappearing up the side of the hill. With next to no heather to trip us up a good pace was set (though not as good a pace as the one set by the fell runner who whizzed by us) and it wasn’t long before everyone got to the trig point atop Ward’s Stone to be greeted by a stiff cold breeze. A group photo was taken before shelter from the breeze was sought amongst some rocks for us to eat.
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left:
Expansive heather made the going tough |
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right: Back down the path from near the top |
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The plateau of Ward's Stone |
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right: All smiles |
Fully nourished the next trig point just 500 metres away was our target and following the boundary we made our way round towards the mound that is High Stephen’s Head. It was around here that one of the hazards of moorland walking was discovered as our leader disappeared up to his knee in a bog and had to be unceremoniously pulled out. Not long after this excitement, on probably the most exposed part of the route, the rain hit us. The walk from the previous day had been wet all day and it had been the straight down drizzly type but this was the wind driven horizontal kind which can drench you in an instant. Hugging the fence line we descended the edge of Haylot Fell next to a gully and, after crossing the beck within the gully, a wall afforded us a little respite from the rain. Dropping further into the valley the going became easier and with it the rain became lighter as we made the transition from moorland to farmland.
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The gully of Haylot Fell |
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right: The rains cometh |
The path through the fields was easy to follow and quite distinct and despite the on/off rain everyone was in good spirits. Arriving at Littledale Hall the sun once again blessed us with its presence and a few of the group snatched a quick drink before continuing on into Littledale itself. The snowdrops were in bloom as we followed the path through the glade and after crossing a footbridge took a set of steps winding their way up to a stile. With the rain now seemingly gone for good we then took a stile over a wall to go around Field Head and onto the farm track.
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Towards Littledale Hall |
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right: Snowdrops in Littledale |
Upon arrival at Bellhill Farm we were greeted by a small post ably decorated with waymarkers pointing in every conceivable direction apart from up or down! Our path went between the buildings and past an old barn to a gate and on to cross a wide stream cum ford via a long rickety footbridge. Taking the path off to our right in to Wisp Wood we joined the bottom of the signed path we had taken earlier in the day. Re-tracing our steps was all that was needed to find our transport home. It had been a good walk, sometimes tough going, sometimes wet, and occasionally soft underfoot but, all agreed Littledale had been a wonderful day’s walking.
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| The final furlong near to Bellhill Farm | |
CLICK HERE FOR MORE PICTURES IN THE GALLERY
| OS OL 41 |
FOREST OF BOWLAND |
START POINT |
SD 546 617 |
| WALK LENGTH |
11.5 mls / 18.5 km |
TIME |
5 hrs |
| MAX HEIGHT |
560.00 mtrs |
MIN HEIGHT |
153.17 mtrs |
| HEIGHT ASCENDED |
648.48 mtrs |
HEIGHT DESCENDED |
648.48 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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