Health Walk - Thursday 3rd October

Photos by Sheila T - Please click on photos to see a larger one

Sheila T:  "Twenty nine walkers today on a chilly but dry morning - Thirteen walkers led by James and back marked by Frankie enjoyed their longer walk accompanied by Wesley one of our canine friends. Colin led the Elite group of sixteen walkers including one new walker back marked by John B accompanied by George our Elite walking canine friend. A very few photos today."

Keith B: "Many thanks to Jimmy and Frankie for leading and back marking for an intimate group on the longer walk this morning, in what were pretty conducive conditions for the time of year. The only thing that was missing was an appearance from the sun.

Jimmy can always be relied upon to come up with an imaginative route and he didn’t disappoint today by stringing together visits to some of the lesser trodden corners of the park.

We headed off along the path leading to Snake Hill, which we descended to cross the stone bridge over the River Lostock at the bottom. From there we veered right

Photo 1                                  Photo 2                                              Photo 3  
to take the path leading up to the south end of the lake, from where we carried on eastwards until arriving at Hawks Clough.

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(Lis looks happy, almost dancing) Jimmy led us through the Hawks Clough compound today, to follow the private access road as far as the three terraced ‘Clayton Cottages’ adjacent to the A6. Turning right on the A6, we went as far the entrance to the Maypark estate, which walked through in order

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to re-enter the park on the upper path in Green Wood.

We then turned left to follow the path leading to the steps down to the wooden bridge crossing the floor of Green Wood’s gorge,

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up the Slopeclimbing back up the steps on the other side and onto Cam Lane. Turning left again, we followed Cam Lane (passing the Cam Wood swamps) until reaching Sheep Hill Lane, where we crossed to drop down the Brow as far as the junction with Back Lane.

Crossing back over the road again, we then entered the park by the Town Brow car park and took the path following River Lostock until we arrived at the bridge leading to Cardiac Hill. I can’t help feeling that at this point Jimmy’s instincts were compelling him to carry on along the path as far as Snake Hill, for a return via Cuerden Hall (?), but he took pity on the less intrepid amongst us and safely guided the group back to the cafe for our well-deserved cuppa and bickies; not that Cardiac Hill doesn’t represent a sting in the tail of any walk!

The intimate numbers made for a lovely atmosphere among the group today, with the banter between our heroes in the high-vis jackets keeping everyone entertained and perfectly safe. Thanks to the stillness this morning, the air temperatures weren’t felt as harshly as they may have been and Wednesday’s sunny conditions did an excellent job of drying up all the paths. The park was a joy as always and the company an absolute delight as ever.

Many thanks to everyone and everything for two more life-affirming walks in the park that always gives!"

John B:  "(The Elite Walkers,) Colin leading, John B back marker, 16 walkers. Up to top car park, down the steps on the right to rejoin Cardiac hill. right at bottom to left up to left at Gravel Hole Wood, Dog Kennel Wood. right through style into meadow, down steps back to lake, down ramp to stone bridge. right on cycle track to left down steps to enter Cinder path, left up drive, along side of Hall to rejoin Snake Hill by gate, right to café."

Today's walks (Red Main Group, Green Short Walk Option Group).  
Where there are green arrows on the red route it means the Elite walkers had followed the main >> or the main group had followed the Elite walkers >>.  similarly for the blue arrows

Compiled by Michael Swarbrick with many thanks to Beth, Eileen P, John B and especially Keith

Cam Lane
Cam Lane Cottage
The Chorley Walks.  
Cinder Path
Cock Cabin Wood
Cuerden Hall
Cuerden Valley's Health Walk
Lower Kem Mill
Hawksclough Farmhouse
Tree Sculpture
Park
Pinetum
Ponderosa
Visitors Centre