Monday 9th December 2024
Moorland and Valley Walk.
The second of our winter walks with lunch in the comfort of a warm restaurant began at Lumb Carr car park, outside Holcombe Village. After crossing the road, we made the climb up Holcombe Hill to the first of our landmarks covered on this walk, that of Peel Tower, in glorious morning sunshine. Our next location was the cairn at the summit of Harcles Hill, which we arrived at after climbing the steep slope of the hill.
Peel Tower
After crossing the very muddy moor, made a lot easier by the flagstones, we arrived at out third landmark that of Pilgrims’ Cross. From here we followed the way markers on the West Pennine Way (WPW) alternative route, down to Ellen’s Cairn, the fourth of the landmarks. At this point we followed a short section of the WPW Link Route, down to Rogin Hood’s Well, and the last of the landmarks on today’s walk.
Harcles Hill
Pilgrim’s Cross
Ellen’s Cairn
Robin Hood’s Well
From here we continued carefully down Moor Road, which was badly rutted due to the recent heavy rain, and joined a footpath on our right, at a point where the road made a left turn. The path led us through the fields, down to Helmshore Road, which we crossed and joined a track on our right that took us down to Irwell Vale. As usual we made use of the railway platform to make our morning coffee stop before continuing along the disused railway line to Strongstry. From here we joined a footpath, at the side of the river Irwell leading into Stubbins, where we crossed the road and continued to follow the river into Ramsbottom, and our lunch stop at Scottie’s Café and Tea Room.
Irwell Vale
River Irwell
Heading to Ramsbottom
After enjoying a hearty lunch, we completed our walk back to Lumb Carr, through Tagg Wood, having covered ten sunny miles.
Tagg Wood