Monday 5th January 2026

Monday 5^th January 2026

Sunrise Moorland Walk.

On a very cold but crystal clear morning seventeen hardy walkers ventured from the car park in Lumb Carr at 7.00am. Once across the road we joined the footpath opposite and headed for Holcombe Old Road where we turned right and walked into Holcombe Village, continuing the route along Moor Road, passing Margaret Haes Riding Centre on our left before joining the access track up to Harcles Farm also on our left. After walking for a short distance, we turned right onto a narrow path, on our right, and started the steep climb around Harcles Hill, looking back we could clearly see the lights in the valley below.

The light from our head torches was assisted by the bright moonlight and we soon arrived at the small stone cain and followed the flagstone to Pilgrim’s Cross. By this time the sky was getting lighter, so we quickly continued our climb to the summit of Bull Hill, where some of us took advantage of the sun not yet being risen to have a warm coffee. We were all facing in a south easterly direction when the sun started to rise changing the colour of the snow covered moors around us into pinks and mauves, before we enjoyed the suns full rays.

After spending some time appreciating our experience and how lucky we were to have had such a clear sky, we began our descent to Buckden Wood and once through the gate into the wood we were continued to be blest with the sunlight shining through the trees onto the pristine snow. At the bottom of the wood we turned right and walked into Stubbins where we joined the footpath that took us through Ox Hey Wood and Top Wood, eventually arriving on Carr Street in Ramsbottom.

By this time, we were ready for out well deserved breakfast at Owen’ Restaurant.  Once refreshed we headed back to Lumb Car, through Tagg Wood having covered severn memorable miles.