| ‘A’ Walk |
| Distance: 10.5 miles |
| Ascent: 1,300 ft |
| Leaders: |
| Bob Scurr |
| Shaun Rollinson |
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A superb ‘figure of 8’ walk, taking in the - literal – high and low points of the area.
The first half of the day is broadly up – the latter half broadly down!
Starting in Ribchester itself we set off through the town before gently, but inexorably, walking uphill in a generally northerly direction.
Passing Little Stydd Wood, we cross fields and lanes until we reach the 16th century Huntingdon Hall.
We then carry on across more open ground onto Longridge Fell, finally reaching our high point of Spire Hill at 350 metres (SD 658 410).
Here we (hopefully!) get stunning views over Bowland and the northern hills.
Going back downhill now, we descend through the forest, past Crowshaw Reservoir and Hud Lee towards Starling Brook.
Passing through Duddel Brook Wood, we cross our outbound route and descend via fields and tracks to return via the hamlet of Stydd to Ribchester where refreshments await.
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| ‘B+’ Walk |
| Distance: 9.7 miles |
| Ascent: 1,100 ft |
| Leaders: |
| Carol Scurr |
| Ray Webb |
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| By way of a change from the usual circular or linear walk, this is more of a skewed rectangular walk.
Leaving Ribchester (or, as known by the Romans, Bremetenacvm Veteranorvm) we head north-westerly.
After crossing farmland and passing through Kellets Farm, Knowle Green and Hoardsell, we arrive at the high point of the walk, Forty Acre Farm.
Once we have crossed one of the fairways on Longridge golf course, we reach Dale House, the most northerly point of the walk.
We then swing south-westerly through Bradleys Farm, White Fold and Old Rhodes before turning once again, this time to traverse the third side of the rectangle.
With Longridge to our west, we continue south-easterly passing close to Spade Mill Reservoir and through Lower College Farm to reach Ox Hey.
The final side of the rectangle, starting at Hothersall Hall, follows the River Ribble back to Ribchester.
Most of the climbing will have been completed before lunch. |
| ‘B’ Walk |
| Distance: 8.7 miles |
| Ascent: 660 ft |
| Leaders: |
| Liz Bellman |
| Louise Pimm |
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| This walk starts from the lovely village of Ribchester in the Ribble Valley and provides beautiful views throughout (weather permitting).
We leave the car park passing Potters Barn Cafe (which serves delicious homemade cakes) and walk through the narrow streets to the bridge where we head off over fields past Stydd Manor.
Continuing across fields, we pass Moor Cock and Hill Farm to join a bridleway which takes us through the picturesque Mill Wood to reach Hurst Green, and lunch.
We then walk down through the village to join Lambing Clough.
We pass wooded areas across fields to Hey Hurst to join the Ribble Way.
This leads us to the banks of the River Ribble and along a riverside path back to Ribchester. Many people speculate that these views could have been Tolkien’s inspiration for the Shires in the Lord of the Rings novels.
There are a number of stiles on this walk.
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| ‘C’ Walk |
| Distance: 7.2 miles |
| Ascent: 450 ft |
| Leaders: |
| Ann Belcher |
| Keith Jacques |
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| After making our way out of the town, a gentle climb will take us into Duddel Wood where we walk along the brook for a short distance before exiting towards Moor Cock farm.
We walk mainly across farmland before descending towards the river to follow the Ribble Way back into Ribchester.
There are a number of stiles but these are more than compensated for by the scenic countryside views.
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