Monday 12th February 2024

Monday 12^th February 2024

North Western Hills and Fields.

On a dull and misty morning nineteen walkers set out from Greemount Old School and headed over the golf course to Holly Mount School. After turning right at the school, we walked up to a metal gate, where we turned right again and walked across the fields to Croichley Fold and onto Bolton Road. Once across the road we turned left and walked along the pavement to the footpath sign on our right. After negotiating the narrow path, we walked through the fields to New Hoyle’s Farm, where we joined Hawkshaw Lane and turned right, walking as far as the steep stile on our left. After we had all climbed over the stile, we headed across the fields to yet another difficult stile. By this time the clouds had started to clear and looking backwards we had views over Holcombe Hill and over to Scout Moor.

We then climbed steeply up to the Top of Qualton, where after passing the renovated cottages, we turned left and walked for a short distance, on the access road, before turning right and climbing over a stile, on our right. The route then crossed several fields and stiles before arriving at a small footbridge, which we crossed, and made our way onto Bury Road in Edgeworth. From here it was just a short walk to the Barlow Centre, where we made use of the seating area to have our morning break.

Once refreshed we walked through the woods, at the back of the Barlow, and made our way to Turton Bottoms, where we turned left on Birches Road, and headed down to Bradshaw Brook, which we followed down to Jumbles Reservoir. After passing the concrete bridge we joined a footpath on our left that took us up the Bradshaw Road, which we crossed, and headed up to Troye Farm. After continuing through the fields to Watling Street it was just a short walk to the Pack Horse Inn, where we had booked lunch.

After enjoying a delicious meal, we headed down Watling Street, and just after the signpost to Old Ned’s Farm, we went through a new kissing gate, on our left. Once through the gate it was just a short, familiar walk, through the fields down to Turton Road and onto Old Kay’s Park, form where we headed back to Greenmount having covered ten enjoyable miles.