Introduction

I had a great upland walk planned for today, but I awoke to a scene of persistent heavy drizzle, and the forecast was that it would persist down all day!

So I dug out this walk, which I had planned last winter, but not used due to Covid restrictions.

It was a 50 minute drive via M60 and M6.

As I hoped, the rain slowed down, and though there was some light rain as I set out, it soon stopped, and it was by no means a wet day in Wigan.

The walk is almost 8.5 miles but it’s very flat, on good paths for the most part, so quite easy walking.

The walk took about 3 hours , plus a 15 minute lunch stop.

It is a great walk for dog walking. There is probably only half a mile of roadside walking, the rest is on good paths away from cars, and no grazing animals bar one horse!

The walk is on OS Explorer Map 276.

The start is in the suburb of Hawkley next to a high school, use postcode WN3 5PA. There are a few parking spots, and I imagine it’s busy at school rush times, but I parked easily on the road.

Leeds and Liverpool Canal (Leigh Branch)

A short walk along a path through the reeds brought me to the canal which runs for 7.5 miles from the main canal at Ince-in-Makerfield to Leigh where it meets the Bridgewater Canal .

There are views over Scotman’s Flash to the north.

I crossed the bridge, and headed south.

The canal borders another large flash at Ince Moss.

The Wigan Flashes, as we know them, are a result of the mining subsidence which
happened around the year 1902. The development of industrial scale mining in the 19th century
led to the landscape that we see now. The nature of “Long Wall Mining” led to rapid collapse of the
abandoned collieries. Indeed, the word “flashes” refers to the formation of the lakes
by flash flooding after the subsidence.

Having barely seen a soul, I was suddenly moved aside by a peloton of older cyclists!

After the road bridge I stayed on the east bank of the canal and took my chance on the concrete canal wall, rather than the muddy track.

At an oufall from the canal I took the path down on my left.

Abram

I crossed the road at the post office, and made my way through a small housing estate to the pleasant fishing pond. The great crested grebe was enjoying the fishing!

The path up to Bickershaw Lane was interesting, though a little more muddy than earlier tracks. Blackbirds and redwings were munching on the hawthorn berries (haws).

Amberswood

After crossing Bickershaw Lane I took a track signposted “Caravan Site”. There were no tourists here! Expecting a traveller site I proceeded up the path, but actually saw no caravans at all, just plenty of abandoned trailers and trucks.

This area seemed quite rural, and somewhat run down. A chained horse looked lonely but I kept my distance.

After passing under a disused railway, I entered another nature reserve. This was wooded and marshy, with willows prominent. An interesting habitat, one of the few in the region where willow tits are known to flourish, though I didn’t see any.

A further area of scrub, with a stream too, and alive with thrushes and finches, was negotiated before I crossed the A58.

I took lunch at the flash on Amberswood Common.

It has its own totem pole!

Back To The Canal

On the map, the path from the common appears to pass through quite a built-up part of Ince-in-Makerfield, but in practice most of the housing is hidden, and soon I was back at the main Leeds and Liverpool Canal.

I took the left turn over a bridge to rejoin the Leigh branch and passed under a new road bridge, where the graffiti artists have honoured the work of local band The Lathums who I included in the blog 5 weeks ago! Great new band, but pretty average artwork.

The final stretch sees the canal pass between the huge expanse of Scotman’s Flash to the west and the more secluded (and teeming with wildfowl) Pearson’s Flash to the east. The reeds at the edge of the flash are beautiful.

Summary

If it’s a good view you want, don’t do this walk. If you’re interested in how man’s industry has impacted the landscape, and how it has subsequently been reclaimed for nature, this could be for you. I had a good time!

And Finally…..

Released in September, this is something to get you bouncing! From their album Step 13, this is Alabama 3 with “Petronella Says”.