Our first walk of the year was a 9.5 mi linear walk from Rochdale to Littleborough. It’s about a mile of traipsing through Rochdale before we can join a disused railway track towards the Healy Dell Nature reserve, a “beauty spot and wildlife sanctuary rich in industrial archaeology” according to visitrochdale.com. The waterfalls and 100-foot high viaduct really are amazing. We then left the valley and followed the Pennine Bridleway and Rochdale Way up to Rushy Hill, loop South towards the Watergrove Reservoir and descend into Shore where one can have a pub stop at the King William IV.
This was an 8 mi linear walk from Godley to Glossop, taking in Hackingknife, Idle Hill, and Coombes Edge. It’s an old favourite that eventually leads us to a pub lunch at theglobeglossop.co.uk, one of our favourite veggie-friendly pubs.
Rail strikes were unfortunately back on this day, so plans had to change and we had to take the tram instead. The walk was an 8 mi linear walk from Newhey to Shaw via Tunshill Lane, Piethorne reservoir, Boothstead Edge and part of the Crompton Circuit. Pub lunch could be either at the Kings Arms or the Black Lad before descending back into the Valley for Shaw & Crompton Metrolink.
Our April walk was a 9 mile (14.6 km) linear walk from Hope to Edale. The route leads us first around and then over Win Hill with views of Ladybower reservoir, across Hope Valley and up onto the Great Ridge from Lose Hill to Hollins Cross. From there we descend into Edale for a pub lunch in the Rambler Inn or alternative pubs in the village.
On this day we went north for a ca. 10 mi circular walk from Whalley. Depending on everyone’s time and energy, the walk can take you all the way up to Pendle Hill, or one can opt for a gentler loop around the southern foothills.