Pikes and Towers of the South Pennines Darwen Tower , Darwen – Built in 1898 to commemorate both the jubilee of Queen Victoria and the victory of the local people to win access to the moor. This octagonal tower with its two viewing platforms looks at a distance like a space rocket. In later years [...]

Hike File Low level route – Distance: 24.5 km – Climb: 300 metres Time: 7 hour 30 mins (excluding breaks) Start:  "The Wagon and Horses" – Langsett GridRef: SE 211005 Finish:  "Ye Derwent Hotel" – Bamford – GridRef: SK 208834 Going: xx. Waymarking: We are following the Alternative Pennine Way, which is not waymarked. Maps: [...]

Hike File Distance: 24 km – Climb: less than 100 metres – Time: 6 hours (excluding breaks) Start:  "The White Lion" – Market Place- Clitheroe GridRef: SD743419 Finish:  "The Myerscough" – Samlesbury – GridRef: SD 618312 Going: Mainly gentle riverside walking, beware bulls. Waymarking: The Ribble Way is well waymarked as far as Ribchester Bridge. [...]

Hike File Distance: 30 km – Climb: less than 50 metres – Time: 7.5 hours (excluding breaks) Start:  " The White Lion " – Earby – GridRef: SD 926497 Finish:  "The White Lion" – Clitheroe – GridRef: SD743419 Going: This is a long walk, but the going is very easy. You start at 130m altitude [...]

Hike File Distance: 28 km – Climb: – Time: (excluding breaks) Start: Diggle, Saddleworth, Diggle Hotel  Finish: Start: Diggle, Saddleworth, Diggle Hotel  Barges were legged through the canal tunnel to Marsden. This meant men would lie on their backs on the barges and effectively walk along the roof of the tunnel. The ‘Boat Lane’ was [...]

Hike File Distance: 20 km – Climb: – Time: (excluding breaks) Start: Padfield Village, Peels Arms  Finish Diggle – Diggle Hotel  Start: Padfield Village, Peels Arms  Turn left out of the front door of the Peels and turn right up Main Road. After just 50m there is a gap in the houses that leads to [...]

Hike File Distance: 22.5 km Start: Ramblers Inn – SK 123855 Finish: Peels Arms, Padfield, near Glossop – SK 030960 Start: Edale – Ramblers Inn   The Pennine way has two alternative routes out of Edale. Take the currently recommended route to the west. Go up the lane to the Post Office, then turn west [...]

Overview Another fairly easy stage to Edale for the start of the Pennine Way. Time before you start to get in provisions and explore the old peak village of Hope. The climb to Winhill will cause you to pant a bit, but you will be amply rewarded by the views North and South. Stroll along [...]

Overview A fairly easy walk, starting the link along the Hope Valley towards the start of the Pennine Way. We take in, remnants of ancient woodland near the bizarre cafe / pub of Grindleford station. From Higger Tor we have fine views of the Derwent valley towards Chatsworth before we climb to Stanedge a favourite [...]

Maps The UK is blessed with good maps from the Ordnance Survey. The Pathfinder and Outdoor Leisure Series maps are the ideal 1:25 000 scale for walkers. At a pinch you can use the Landranger Series at 1:50 000 scale. Six Figure Grid References The national grid divides the UK into 100 km by 100 [...]