Clougha Pike From Dolphinholme, near Lancaster

Introduction

At last, a really nice summer’s day, and a chance to take a good hike in the hills. As the traffic is lighter in August, I decided on a longer day out, and ventured almost to Lancaster and the western fringe of the Forest of Bowland.

The weather was dry, with a warm breeze, and occasional glimpses of the sun. Excellent hiking weather.

Dolphinholme is a 70 minute drive from Cheadle Hulme.

This is a long walk, 13.5 miles and 1800ft of ascent, taking in pretty scenery and wild moorland. It took 5 hours 15 minutes, plus a 15 minute lunch break.

For dog walkers, much of the terrain is fine, but there were a few tricky sections to avoid cattle, and a couple of times I had to climb over gates which should have been openable.

I walked in a clockwise direction.

The walk is on OS Explorer Map OL41.

I parked on the road near the village school, postcode LA2 9AN.

Dolphinholme To Damas Gill Reservoir

I started out along the road, leaving the school behind, and then, also, the village itself as the road took me to the left, rising to give views of the fells on my right. Taking the path right across some fields I came to a descent towards Heversham House, nestled in a valley.

Rising out of the valley, further fields led to a minor road at Hollyhead House. It was a long straight, gentle climb up this road.

Taking the track to Longmoor, I was aware of a flock of large birds in the approaching field. As they were disturbed, I got a picture of one.

It’s always a delight to see curlews on or near their breeding grounds.

Just beyond, I passed the posing black cattle in my header picture.

The farm at Longmoor had a pretty brook running alongside it.

And now I made my way up to Damas Gill Reservoir.

The Ascent To Clougha Pike

As I steadily rose, the views across Morecambe Bay to the Lakeland Fells beyond were now visible. However, it was quite misty, so the fells weren’t clear. Heysham Nuclear Power Station was prominent on the near shoreline, to the right on this photo.

At Hare Appletree Farm, the locals had improvised a replacement gate, using a simple pallet.

I crossed the road, taking a short drop down to the left, then made my way to Rowton Brook where a farm was the signal to turn right and head directly up the hill. The map shows the path crossing the stream after a field fence. I ignored this, and followed the path on the ground which kept to the right of the stream , eventually crossing it when it was a very minor watercourse.

There is a steep section after the stream, but it’s not too long, and the view back down the route I’d just walked made it worth the effort.

Clougha Pike is a spectacular viewpoint, with two stone wind shelters, and a trig point. I stopped here for lunch.

Over The Moors And Down To The Jubilee Tower

The next section traverses the boggy moorland of Clougha. There is some tricky terrain here, either small wobbly boulders or peat bog and marsh.

Grit Fell is the high point on the walk, 468metres above the sea level visible at Morecambe Bay.

I crossed the ladder stile and turned right to head down the long, boggy path to the Jubilee Tower.

The tower is on the roadside, with a car park at the designated viewpoint. The tower is somewhat underwhelming, given that Blackpool Tower is a significant landmark to the southwest from here!

Jubilee Tower To The Wyre Valley

After a short walk down the road, my route returns to the farmland scenery and copses of the ascent. Plantation Road, pictured below right, led across a minor road to Lentworth Hall.

After the Hall, the mature woodland that fills the Wyre Valley came into view.

I crossed a track and descended some ancient stone steps to the spectacular footbridge over the river.

The river is delightful, and must be a spectacular habitat for wildlife, as humans are taken up the opposite bank, through a wood.

The Wyre Valley To Dolphinholme

The path emerges onto farmland with views to the river valley, and over to the unmistakable outline of Clougha Pike in the distance.

Several more fields are crossed before a track heads down towards Dolphinholme. The grass in the last field was recently cut and there were lots of gulls and corvids feeding on the insects disturbed by the cutting. I was then surprised to see this bird in a field of cut grass,,,, an oystercatcher! Not many oysters here!

Entering the village, I soon came to the riverside mill, splendidly converted to housing, 7 houses in fact. They have 5 storeys on the riverside, 3 storeys to the roadside, and this gable with dummy doors reflecting the historic use of the building.

The school and my car are close by, but at the top of the opposite river bank. It was a struggle up the ramped path after 13 miles, but I made it!

I was pleased to be able to complete a more challenging hike today, and the views from the top were amazing, but I think I’ll be sticking to shorter distances more often than not in the future!

This walk could be easily divided into two or three shorter walks for anyone who wanted something less challenging!

And Finally….

This is new from The Pigeon Detectives. The album is called TV Show, and this is “Falling To Pieces”.