Rawtenstall – 18/02/2026 – Leader Diana
18 eager Walkers were joined by Maria and Victoria, who were both making their debut, and it is to be hoped the first of many. We also had an unwelcome guest in the form of a bitterly cold and biting wind.
After negotiating the first of many awkward stiles we were in the Chapel Hill area and Victoria exclaimed she’d never been here before, so to my mind the walk was already a success. Another dotty stile awaited on Bonfire Hill summit but before confronting it, mention was made of the part this hill played in the rather serious skirmishes we had with a wee French corporal some years since. However we had to press on and I heard mention of a coffee stop on two occasions, so hurriedly a kink in the wall beneath Liver Hill was sought as a refuge from the pesky wind. Liver Hill has its own bit of history in that years ago the summit was decorated with a large radio mast. Alas no one but the present writer has any knowledge of it. The same was true of Greenfold Reservoir, the site of which is rather prominent hereabouts. It was suggested to the writer that he recalls these things on account of his being a tad older than everyone else.
Pressing on we were joined by David H. at Loveclough, from where it’s a steady climb to Goodshaw Hill and from where there’s a dramatic change in scenery. Hitherto we’d been looking east over bleak moorland as far as Blackstone Edge, now westward the Bowland hills to the NW were prominent as was the plane that terminates at the Irish Sea. This was all very nice but that pesky wind was determined to have the last word, and so it did, just above Stonefold it reached new depths of…….I don’t know I am lost for words.
All in all an interesting and varied walk for which thanks are due to our leader Diana, our photographer Stephen and the intrepid Glyn and Yvonne who kept us all in order from the back.
Write up – Robert Pics – Stephen D Backmarkers – Yvonne and Glyn Br
Distance – 10.18 miles Ascent – 1495 feet M/h – 1.9
‘If you wish to see a static view of the pics all in one go, then click here.’
Continuously running slideshow below – you can see it full screen by clicking in top left of picture
Thank you for making me welcome on my first walk with the group.
Good walk Diana and Robert, thanks. Some very good views in the photos Stephen. Nice to meet the 2 new ladies, hope they enjoyed the walk and can make it again soon.
Thanks for the walk Diana and Robert.
Glad I could do some of the walk with you all. Last week 3 miles and today 4 miles.
I’ll suffer in the morning.
Thanks Diana and Rob.
Glad you keep dry. Good write up, Robert.
A great walk thanks everyone
A great walk. Despite the bitter wind.
Thanks