Woodnook water/Priestley clough - rather than take the old railway path from nuttall street, go beyond the derelict land and take the minor road, past a couple of caravans and houses (says private near end) you will now have a path that follows a wide stream to your left, there is a nice kind of waterfall about a hundred metres up on your left (over the fence). If you cross at the bridge of the stream further along and follow the path left you can follow the path back to nuttall street for a nice 1km circuit.
Jackhouse reservoir, this sits above oswaldtwistle (on my map it is the reservoir that I circle). You can get close to the reservoir (please don't go in, I am a firefighter and have seen a number of good swimmers unfortunately have there bodies recovered from these areas). There is a woodland loop you can go on above the reservoir.
The view from Rothwell heights/bedlam - if you carry on up the path from the woodnook water as shown on my map, once above the Accrington riding school you will be afford excellent views of East side of Accrington. This viewing spot locally is only second for me to the views gained from the monument near the top of the coppice.
To the walk..., follow my route as shown on route map, I completed it in a clockwise direction. Points to note - just beyond bedlam you will at first have a well marked trio of footpath signs(take the one that goes straight on) after this you will come to a few properties. My photo below shows the gate to take.
I have decided to take the 3 trig point opportunities to bag on route. Following the plotted route. First trig - I plotted to go along the b road (no pavement) then up to the left of a house on the footpath beyond a gate is the trig point. If you choose not to do this go straight on at the cross roads.
Whilst going over the Moors you can climb to the top of thirteen stone hill across the moorland (no trig point but on a clear day views of Manchester can be obtained).
Second trig -rushy hill trig - I have not plotted this one on the route but to bag the trig. You carry on the footpath you are already on rather than turning right. You will come to an old brick built bunker. Hop the fence here (it's a small but barb wired top fence)and walk upwards to nice bright white trig then return the way you came to rejoin the route.
Another tricky footpath to spot is after jackhouse reservoir in the Hoyle bottom area. Turn right off the minor road you have followed for a while down another minor road with quickly a house is a head. Go over the wall to your left keeping a fence to the right of you.
The third and final trig point is accessed by crossing a gate and heading up on top of the field (beware sometimes cows that in herds, can chase you off protect this trig!). I dropped down and hopped a fence in the corner to continue on my route. You can alternatively follow the road around or bag the trig and go back the way you came to the gate.
To complete the full route including the 3 trigs I would allow 5 to 6 hours. There is 500 metres climbing to be done throughout the route.
If you fancy a refreshment break, along the rossendale way section of the route (follow the helpful signs for this bit). You can turn off to your right just after a quarry/reservoir dropping down through a plantation of trees to arrive at clough head cafe (it is up most days of the week).
Keep enjoying our countryside.
i tried this walk, very nice thanks. There were some navigation fails, mostly my failure to follow instructions and confusing clockwise and anti-clockwise (does anyone still use clocks?)
ReplyDeleteIt introduced me to some corners that i have never seen before. I must have driven past Jackhouse Reservoir thousands of times but never been there. It was tempting for a dip but took your advice and left it to the ducks.
Over the tops, by the wind turbines, the ground was soft. Not the first time i have spent a morning on the bog though! Clough Head caff was busy but welcome break.
Recommend this walk, and will do it again now i know the way better. Thanks