Thursday, 17th September 2009

 

Walk: Slaidburn, Easington Fell, Walloper Well, Sadler Hill, Foulscales, Newton, River Hodder
Start Point: Slaidburn car park Grid Ref: SD 713 523
Distance: 9.3 miles Ascent: 1,100 feet
Weather: A cloudy day with little wind
Accompanied by:

On my own

Comments: Walk 3 from Paul Hannon's book, 'Bowland', with an extension to Foulscales and Newton. Leaving Slaidburn across the bridge the walk quickly heads across pasture land on a good path. It seems the rough stony track heading up onto Easington Fell used to be a sunken grassy track - a disappointing development. Eventually the stony track is left behind but any feelings of being 'out on the moors' are lost when the Clitheroe-Slaidburn road is approached. However this road is soon left behind and as the cairn on Sadler Hill came into view I decided that a detour was necessary to explore the area. Curiosity satisfied I continued with the route which was now the extension I had added on to visit Foulscales and Newton before returning alongside the River Hodder. The route was a good mixture of grassy tracks, farm tracks and off-path walking. 

 

Scroll down to see photos of the walk

The River Hodder from Slaidburn bridge

 

Easington Fell . . .

 

and Sadler Hill

 

Skelshaw - a quite imposing looking building . . .

 

and again from the back

 

I'm glad the Highland Cattle are friendly . . .

 

but perhaps sheep are not so welcome

 

Detouring across to Sadler Hill . . .

 

a tarn was hiding in a depression

 

The large cairn on Sadler Hill invited exploration

 

The sycamore tree shows distinctive signs of Autumn

 

Time for a morning nap

 

The grouse are quick to . . .

 

make a run for it . . .

 

and some head across the field . . .

 

but this one can't decide which way to go

 

Ready for renovation??!!

 

The River Hodder is spanned by . . .

 

Newton Bridge

 

A colourful flower triangle in Newton . . .

 

and nearby cottages

 

Dunnow Hall from the path by the River Hodder

Return to 2009 Diary                                                                      Return to top