WEDNESDAY 17th APRIL 2019
2nd of 9 Walks to Complete the West Pennine
Way: Winter Hill, Longworth Clough, Dimple and Belmont
Climbing Winter Hill
On a bright but chilly morning eight walkers set-off from the lay-by on Rivington Road turning right for a short distance before turning left up a track known as Belmont Road. At the first stile, on our left, we climbed over it and headed up the steep footpath that leads to the summit of Winter Hill (433m) where we stopped at the trig point to get our breath back and to admire the views, which were not good as there was a mist at the top of the hill.
Trig Point on Winter Hill
Walking away from the mast we joined the West Pennine Way (WPW), at the top of Dean Ditch and followed it all the way down to Belmont Road, which we crossed, into the car park of San Marino’s Restaurant and continued along the WPW through the fields and down to the Ornamental Reservoir at the start of Longworth Clough.
Ornamental Reservoir
Once in the clough we looked for a suitable place to stop for a coffee break and as by this time the day was getting hotter, to remove a layer of clothing.
Coffee break in Longworth Clough
Having been refreshed we continued along the WPW, leaving Longworth Cough and climbing up to Higher Critchley Fold Farm and Green Arms Road which we crossed and turned right onto a footpath that goes past the embankment of Delph Reservoir which looked a bright blue colour in the morning sunshine.
Longworth Hall Plantation
Once again we enjoyed the tranquillity of the memorial garden at Walmsley Unitarian Church, Dimple, for an early lunch stop. After lunch we left the WPW for another day and turned immediate left outside the garden and headed for the Witton Weaver’s Way which passed through a lovely valley on Longfield Hall Plantation as we walked through the trees we were greeted by the sight of four row deer crossing the path and heading into the trees, we had already seen several, pheasants, skylarks, lap wings and heard the cry of curlews on the walk.
Views over to Belmont
After skirting Hole Bottoms disused quarry, we crossed Edgerton Road and continued along Witton Weavers Way until we came to the first footpath sign on our left where we could see Belmont Village in the distance using the steeple of the church as a way-marker we headed for the village.
Back to the lay-by
On reaching Belmont Reservoir we crossed the embankment and walked up to Belmont Road turning left for a short distance before crossing the road onto a footpath which took us onto Edge End Moor and back to the lay-by, where we had started the walk having covered 10 enjoyable miles.