Chipping Challenge Walk – 19/06/2026 – Leaders John D and Judy

The day did not start well! Having arranged to meet at Whitaker Park at 6am, yours truly overslept! By some miracle I was up and out the door in 10 minutes, so the walk was only 5 minutes late starting.

So, 13 met at Chipping and successfully completed the full walk, with Joe joining us at Calder Vale for the last 10.5 miles. The weather was near perfect, being dry except for 1 quick shower, warm but not too hot, and with clear far-reaching views.

The first part skirted Saddle End, when it was quickly noticed that the grass was a lot longer, plus the ground much wetter and muddier then during the recce 9 weeks earlier – what has happened to the early summer weather?  Soon we all made it up Parlick at 432 metres. Then it was down and up across Blindhurst Fell to Fairsnape Fell at 510 metres, where our first sandwich break was taken.

After it was a different challenge across peat moorland, boggy at times, with evidence of the restoration work being undertaken. At Fiensdale Head we met a small group, including from the River Trust and Lancashire County Council, scoping the landscape for further works to improve the peat life and water restoration. They were also interested in what we were doing and why – later we might have asked ourselves the same question! More moorland took us to the bridleway leading up to Calder Dyke, before the next ascent to Hazelhurst Fell at 420 metres. We descended gently over Oakenclough Fell and through lovely woodland into Calder Vale, where Joe was waiting with much needed top up water supplies.

The rest of the walk was more rural along the valley, with our second sandwich break was taken just after Cobble Hey Farm, a rare breeds centre, where the cows had chosen our identified spot, so a nearby wall surficed.  Shortly after we came to ButtHill Lane – can’t imagine what the boys found so amusing! We went through woodland to include Tongue Lea Wood, Brock Mill Wood, Boggy Wood (well named) and Bob’s Wood, but primarily farmland to include Bleasdale, Blindhurst and Windy Harbour. By the end the long grass, rolling hills and numerous stiles were tough on tired legs and sore feet, but this is not called a challenge walk for nothing!

Rehydration and pizzas were enjoyed in the pub after, and, even after a long day together, no-one had run out of conversation.

Very well done to everyone, especially Aly and Wayne on their first challenge walk. Thanks to Joe travelling separately to ensure a water supply, and thanks to Vince for taking great photos – selecting just 40 was very hard. Thanks also to all who rotated at the back and closed gates.

Distance – 23.12 miles     Ascent – 3207 feet      M/h – 2.1 (very good for the distance and ascent)

Pics – Vince    Write up – Judy

‘If you wish to see a static view of the pics all in one gotten click here.’

Continuously running slideshow below – you can see it full screen by clicking in top left of picture