5th January 2013 - Nicky Nook
Walk Details
Distance walked: 6.3 miles
Total ascent: 844 ft
OS map used: OL41 - Forest of Bowland & Ribblesdale
Time taken: 3.5 hrs
Route description: Scorton picnic site-Lee Green Farm-Cliftons-Syke's Farm-Higher Lane-Nicky Nook-Grize Dale-Higher Lane-Tithe Barn Lane-Scorton-Wyre Way-Scorton picnic site
With so much low cloud around this morning and not being sure about whether it would clear or not I thought this walk would be a good one to try. It's a very long time since my only previous visit to Nicky Nook, about a decade ago but it's surprising how I remember bits of the walk despite everywhere I've been since then.
I started the walk from the Scorton picnic site to the north of the village. I left the car park and turned left to walk along the lane and over the M6. At the end of the lane I turned left and continued along the road until I reached a sharp left where I then followed a path across some fields (squelch, squelch) to Syke's Farm. Another bit of road walking brought me to a bridleway that heads down Grize Dale. The walk up Nicky Nook was done and then it was a walk down Grize Dale and country lanes to the village of Scorton. After a walk through the village the Wyre Way took me back to the picnic site.
Total ascent: 844 ft
OS map used: OL41 - Forest of Bowland & Ribblesdale
Time taken: 3.5 hrs
Route description: Scorton picnic site-Lee Green Farm-Cliftons-Syke's Farm-Higher Lane-Nicky Nook-Grize Dale-Higher Lane-Tithe Barn Lane-Scorton-Wyre Way-Scorton picnic site
With so much low cloud around this morning and not being sure about whether it would clear or not I thought this walk would be a good one to try. It's a very long time since my only previous visit to Nicky Nook, about a decade ago but it's surprising how I remember bits of the walk despite everywhere I've been since then.
I started the walk from the Scorton picnic site to the north of the village. I left the car park and turned left to walk along the lane and over the M6. At the end of the lane I turned left and continued along the road until I reached a sharp left where I then followed a path across some fields (squelch, squelch) to Syke's Farm. Another bit of road walking brought me to a bridleway that heads down Grize Dale. The walk up Nicky Nook was done and then it was a walk down Grize Dale and country lanes to the village of Scorton. After a walk through the village the Wyre Way took me back to the picnic site.
Route map
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Wet fields! The stretch of farmland I crossed here from Cliftons to Syke's Farm has to be worst I've yet encounted. I didn't take a single step without water just coming up out of the ground. It must have taken twice as long as it should have done.
Wyresdale farmland
and more to come. That's Syke's Farm in the distance with some relief in the form of tarmac. Harrisend Fell is the backdrop.
Syke's Farm
Follow the lane to Grize Dale
I've just walked across the top of Nicky Nook but it decided to cloud over on the way up so I've hung around for the sun to come back out. The large patch of water on the left is Scorton Lake with a caravan site to its left. The view is looking out to the coast around Heysham.
Heading back to the top. This is "The Tarn". Short and to the point.
The trig point on Nicky Nook just ahead
On top of Nicky Nook. In the background are Harrisend Fell, Stake House Fell and Oakenclough Fell that make up the Bleasdale Moors.
Looking north to Clougha Pike
and to the coast and Morecambe Bay
Barnacre Reservoirs on the other side of a hidden Grize Dale
Heading down into Grize Dale. That's Grizedale Reservoir below.
and by the reservoir
Grizedale Brook
On the bridleway down the wooded Grize Dale
From the end of Grize Dale a couple of country lanes brought me to this bridge under the M6. At the end of the road I'll turn right and head through Scorton.
Nicky Nook from the Wyre Way
Not far to go now. At least there's firm ground underfoot.
The River Wyre from Cleveley Bridge
and back at the picnic site