Sunday, 3rd January 2010

 

Walk: Clayton Brook, Brindle, Leeds & Liverpool Canal, Withnell Fold, Denham Hill, Whittle-le-Woods
Start Point: Home Grid Ref: SD 574 226
Distance: 8 miles Ascent: 700 feet
Weather: Very cold with some sunny spells and light snow showers. Very icy underfoot.
Accompanied by:

Ian and Karen
Comments: With a lot of ice still covering the ground in many places I decided to walk from home and explore some of the footpaths around Brindle. As Karen rang me when I was preparing for the walk, she and Ian decided to join me. Skirting Clayton Brook we crossed the motorway and made our way through fields and along the road to emerge in Sandy Lane, Brindle. Immediately across the road an access track took us into fields that led across to the canal at Withnell Fold. After walking some distance along the canal towpath we then made our way through fields to Top o'th Lane and up to Denham Hill. The views from here were great, with the Howgills sporting a covering of snow and the hills of the Lake District just visible to the North. Looking South Winter Hill and Rivington Pike were in clear view, as was Darwen Tower. Surprised to find such a good vantage point so near to home, we then headed towards the M61, crossing it at Denham Lane. From here we took advantage of some footpaths behind houses and across the valley, emerging onto the A6. It was then a short road walk back to the house.

 

Scroll down to see photos of the walk

Heading along Pippin Lane which was much icier than it looks

 

Bridges required careful navigation

 

The canal was covered with layers of ice sheets

 

One of the houses in Withnell Fold, backing onto the canal

 

I wonder what breed these goats are?

 

At last - a field without snow!

 

Karen, Ian . . .

 

and Kath . . .

 

at the trig point on Denham Hill . . .

 

with views to Winter Hill and Rivington Pike

 

Too icy for rock climbing today . . .

 

but probably quite busy in Summer

 

Spotted at the side of the road, but on investigation it seems that the ancient spring
known as St Helen's Well was destroyed when the motorway was built.

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