27th February 2016 - Darwen Moor
Walk Details
Distance walked: 5.9 miles
Total ascent: 1076 ft
OS map used: 287 - West Pennine Moors
Time taken: 3 hrs
Route description: Roddlesworth Information Centre, Tockholes Road-Ryal Fold-Darwen Hill-Witton Weavers Way-Duckshaw Clough-Darwen Moor-Cartridge Hill-Tockholes Road-Witton Weavers Way-River Roddlesworth-Roddlesworth Information Centre, Tockholes Road
After missing out last weekend I was keen to make the most of a good forecast for this one. The best of the weather is forecast for tomorrow and with a walk in the Lakes planned I wanted to warm up and get a few miles under my boots. A local walk on Darwen Moor fit the bill. Unfortunately it was pretty hazy today so I couldn't appreciate the good views that can normally be seen but I did enjoy a sandwich and pot of tea in Vaughn's Country Cafe before setting off.
I started the walk from the car park of the Roddlesworth Information Centre on the Tockholes Road. From the back of the car park I took the short cut to the track to Ryal Fold Farm. I then followed a field path downhill towards Earnsdale Reservoir before heading up to the track round the south side of Sunnyhurst Hey Reservoir. I then made my way up to the Jubilee Tower on Darwen Hill. The Witton Weavers Way trail was then followed round the eastern side of the moor until I reached Duckshaw Clough, here I left the trail for a track that goes up and over the moor. I did a there and back to the top of Cartridge Hill before following the track down to the Tockholes Road. I crossed over and then made my way through the woods down to the River Roddlesworth. To finish, I had a steep path to climb up to the car park.
Total ascent: 1076 ft
OS map used: 287 - West Pennine Moors
Time taken: 3 hrs
Route description: Roddlesworth Information Centre, Tockholes Road-Ryal Fold-Darwen Hill-Witton Weavers Way-Duckshaw Clough-Darwen Moor-Cartridge Hill-Tockholes Road-Witton Weavers Way-River Roddlesworth-Roddlesworth Information Centre, Tockholes Road
After missing out last weekend I was keen to make the most of a good forecast for this one. The best of the weather is forecast for tomorrow and with a walk in the Lakes planned I wanted to warm up and get a few miles under my boots. A local walk on Darwen Moor fit the bill. Unfortunately it was pretty hazy today so I couldn't appreciate the good views that can normally be seen but I did enjoy a sandwich and pot of tea in Vaughn's Country Cafe before setting off.
I started the walk from the car park of the Roddlesworth Information Centre on the Tockholes Road. From the back of the car park I took the short cut to the track to Ryal Fold Farm. I then followed a field path downhill towards Earnsdale Reservoir before heading up to the track round the south side of Sunnyhurst Hey Reservoir. I then made my way up to the Jubilee Tower on Darwen Hill. The Witton Weavers Way trail was then followed round the eastern side of the moor until I reached Duckshaw Clough, here I left the trail for a track that goes up and over the moor. I did a there and back to the top of Cartridge Hill before following the track down to the Tockholes Road. I crossed over and then made my way through the woods down to the River Roddlesworth. To finish, I had a steep path to climb up to the car park.
Route map
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Darwen Moor and Jubilee Tower as I leave the car park
Soon on the track to Ryal Fold
Heading down towards Earnsdale Reservoir
On the track up to the tower
A couple of shots from the trig point. Far too hazy for any distant views. Looking to the northwest I should be able to see the fells of the Forest of Bowland.
Blackburn below but no Pendle Hill in the distance
Looking back to Jubilee Tower as I follow the Witton Weavers Way south
Darwen below
As I round a corner the view opens up to the east and across to Holcombe Moor
On the track over the moor
and looking back as I reach its top
Jubilee Tower across Stepback Clough
The cairn on the top of Cartridge Hill, the highest point of Darwen Moor
Darwen Moor
Winter Hill in the distance and a bit of Belmont Reservoir
Great Hill and Withnell Moor
Heading back to the track from Cartridge Hill
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Down to the Tockholes Road and in the Tockholes Plantations
The River Roddlesworth
My route back up to the car park took me through this avenue of beech trees. The bare branches against the sky was quite striking.