Padiham – 25/02/2026 – Leader Judy

Today was a walk that managed to feel spring like and avoid the rain, was notable for having 5 “Steve”s among the 24 walkers, and was also a lesson in the value of teamwork.

We were pleased to welcome a friend of Keith’s, Charles from Yorkshire, as well as Steve R and Steve C, both of whom hadn’t walked with us for a while.

Having been discouraged from using the Gawthorpe Hall car park, we made good use of the free parking in Padiham, setting off in a North Westerly direction, soon to join multiple fields, which in racing parlance would be described as soft/heavy for turf. At High Whitaker Farm we took their path diversion around electrified fields, although no horses were in them today. More fields then took us to cross the A6068 to High House, and continuing on to a wall where we took our coffee break. A short stretch of road later, we entered woodland and then above Read on a grassy path climbing to Read Heights. The aptly named Shady Walk took us through 2 lots of woodland to Black Hill where we joined the lane to Padiham Heights with its large puddles, before taking fields towards Copthurst.

The planned lunch stop proved to be too windy and in a field recently muck sprayed, so we carried on to a wall just short of Copthurst Farm. Here Sue reported her knee to be painful, which continued after the lunch break. David M took off his own knee brace (we won’t go into the process here!) to lend to Sue to see if it would help.  When it became clear she couldn’t continue beyond the farm and a taxi would only come to the road below, a kind driver took her down the farm track.  Mark and Graeme followed in hot persuit and saw Sue into an Uber to take her to the cafe to wait for us there. I understand Mark kindly paid for this in return for the supply of sweets on walks, which means the rest of us owe Sue big time!

While Mark was otherwise engaged, Alex stepped into the back marking role and Steve S did a great job snipping a holly bush blocking a stile. Once reunited with Mark and Graeme, we continued via Hencock and West Close to join the Pendle Way, and the long delightful descent to the River Calder. After a photo on the Higham/Ightenhill Bridge we followed the Burnley Way back to Padiham. 13 reunited with Sue and enjoyed the Mooch cafe.

With many, many thanks to Steve D for volunteering to take, select and upload his excellent photos to Flickr, and to Mark for efficient back marking. Thanks also to all the other helpers and to everyone who came – too much chatter for the deer to be seen!

Distance – 9.95 miles     Ascent – 1018 feet    M/h 1.9

Write up – Judy       Pics – Steve D      Backmarker – Mark

‘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