Pennine Walker, a photographic walking diary

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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.

Route map
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© Crown copyright. All rights reserved. License number PU 100034184.

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Darwen Moor and Jubilee Tower as I leave the car park
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Soon on the track to Ryal Fold
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Heading down towards Earnsdale Reservoir
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On the track up to the tower
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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.
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Blackburn below but no Pendle Hill in the distance
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Looking back to Jubilee Tower as I follow the Witton Weavers Way south
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Darwen below
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As I round a corner the view opens up to the east and across to Holcombe Moor
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On the track over the moor
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and looking back as I reach its top
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Jubilee Tower across Stepback Clough
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The cairn on the top of Cartridge Hill, the highest point of Darwen Moor
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Darwen Moor
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Winter Hill in the distance and a bit of Belmont Reservoir
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Great Hill and Withnell Moor
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Heading back to the track from Cartridge Hill
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Down to the Tockholes Road and in the Tockholes Plantations
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The River Roddlesworth
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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.

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© Alan Kilduff 2016-2023                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
  • HOME
  • About this site
  • Walking Diaries
    • Walking Diary 2022
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    • Walking Diary 2018
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    • Walking Diary 2015
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  • Lake District Walks
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  • Forest of Bowland, Pendle & West Pennine Moors Walks
  • South Pennines Walks
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