Tockholes – 09/09/2026 – Leader Judy

Despite some traffic problems 18 arrived at Tockholes on time, with Steve S already having established that we wouldn’t make it back before the cafe closed.

The forecast said no rain, but it tried, although as soon as everyone donned their waterproofs, it stopped. Just as well our walkers are not so fickle!

Graeme helped me recce this only 8 weeks ago, admittedly during our great summer weather,  and we were both taken aback by how wet some of the moorland is now, how long the grass has got, and how muddy the woodland paths are, so apologies to all, but you conquered.

So we set off downhill through the Tockholes Plantation, including finding our way through an indistinct path, to cross the Bolton Road.  Paths took us over Roddlesworth Moor and to cross a stream with stepping stones, now under water. We stopped for coffee after the next footbridge. We climbed steadily on the outskirts of Withnell Moor to the site of the remains of some of 50 farms scattered across these moors, built in the 1700 and 1800s. It must have been a remote and tough existence, with information boards explaining higher land prices and rising taxes forced some farmers to lower quality land. More moorland took us to the wonderful Wheelton Plantation, descending to walk beside The Goit, looking quite natural with plenty of wildlife, and not like the artificial channel built in the 1850s. We arrived at the very picturesque White Coppice Cricket Ground where lunch was taken.

After it was a steady climb to Great Hill at 381 metres, stopping at Joe’s cup en route. The age average up at the top was considerably lowered by a large group of chatty teenagers doing a preliminary walk for the Duke of Edinburgh challenge. Descending took us through some boggy bits, lots of long grass, and a gate that needed lifting over the gate post, before crossing the road again. We returned via different Tockholes Plantation paths, including beside the River Roddlesworth, whose source is in Great Hill from whence we came,  flowing for a mere 5.5 kms to merge with the River Darwen.  Steve S was right, the cafe had closed!

Very many thanks to Stephen D for again taking fantastic photos and loading them on Flickr, to Steve R for very helpful back marking and gate closing, and to Graeme for assisting route finding on a couple of tricky sections.

Pics – Stephen D     Write up – Judy

Distance – 9.47 miles      Ascent – 1332 feet       M/h – 2.1

‘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