The venue for this year's Christmas walk is the Billinge area. As usual, we will be having a meal after the walk - see details below. The walk starts, and finishes, at Holts Arms, Longshaw, near Billinge. (OS Explorer 285 - grid 527027). This is easily reached by car from Formby (allow 45 minutes):
• Make your preferred way onto the M58 and proceed towards the Wigan end and follow the signs for Wigan up to the A577 traffic lights. Turn left here onto the A577 towards Skelmersdale. At the next traffic lights turn left again onto the B5206 Billinge. Follow this road for 1.6 miles to turn right into Crank Road opposite the Hospital. The pub is on the right a few metres from the junction and the car park is after the pub front door.
Please meet in the car park, at the side not the front of the pub, by 9.15am for a 9.30am start. If possible, share a car to save space.
There will be two walks of slightly differing lengths but visiting the same viewpoints. Both walks start at the pub and are circular via fields and tracks. It is generally firm underfoot with a few wet and muddy spots. Boots are recommended.
The walks start with a gentle climb to a hilltop with wide views (on a clear day!) and thereafter gently downhill and then level. Both walks then have different short steady climbs up to Billinge Hill View Point with its panoramic views. From here it is a gentle stroll down through woodland, out onto the road then a short walk to the Holts Arms.
Distance: 5½ or 6½ miles. Ascent: 400 feet
Leaders: John McEvoy and David Wake
