The Long Causeway 19/07/2026 leader Aly

On sunny Sunday morning 16 walkers met at a car park on The Long Causeway, high above Cliviger. We were joined today by my sister and brother-in-law, visiting sunny Lancashire for the weekend!

Of course, as we were parked at the highest point of the walk, at 1148ft, it was to be mostly downhill from there-with a few up hills thrown in for good measure and a good up hill to finish, and after our start photo, with wide ranging views in the background, off we set walking along The Long Causeway an ancient packhorse route linking Burnley through to Yorkshire.

Before long we joined the Pennine Bridleway (PB) a national trail, sections of which we often walk along but had more local significance today, due to the PB being the brainchild of Lady Mary Towneley who campaigned tirelessly for better access for horse riders. Following a good track “downhill” alongside Green Clough we had good views across Cliviger to this distinct gorge, then after a while we took a right turn “uphill” along a walled green lane. As the path levelled out, we took a left turn, slowly dropping “downhill” through open fields our way being led through the vegetation by countless butterflies. On reaching a lane we turned right “uphill” (there’s a theme going here) which led us to the pretty hamlet of Mereclough.

Continuing on, we left the village, crossing fields then onto more tracks before descending (“downhill” again) to Rock Water, then uphill to bring us into another attractive village Hurstwood, passing the entrance to Tattersalls Farm. After passing through the village we followed the Burnley Way “uphill” with a conifer plantation on our right, eventually rising above Hurstwood Reservoir. On reaching open ground a narrow path descended to the edge of the reservoir where we found a suitable spot for lunch break.

After lunch our route followed the eastern side of the reservoir, once again on a section of the P B, then “uphill” to reach Cant Clough Reservoir. A good track led us across a bridge, over Sheddon Clough, then back over the clough, bridgeless this time and then wound our way uphill through Sheddon Clough Hushings, a strange landscape of lumps and bumps, created through limestone mining methods, flushing torrents of water to extract the limestone from below the surface.  After leaving the hushings with Coal Clough wind turbines coming into view,  we knew it was just a short walk back across open ground to reach the cars.

Thanks to everyone who came on the walk today. Thank you to everyone for taking turns backmarking, Jan for taking photographs and Judy for uploading the photos.

Stats: 7.2 mile, and just over 1,000ft of ascent (“downhills” and “uphills”)

 

 

‘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