8th March 2024 - Totridge
Walk Details
Distance walked: 10.1 miles
Total ascent: 2016 ft
OS map used: OL41 - Forest of Bowland & Ribblesdale
Time taken: 6 hrs
Route description: Dunsop Bridge-Thorneyholme Hall-Burholme Farm-Burholme Bridge-New Laund Farm-New Laund Hill-Fair Oak-Little Bowland Road-Dinkling Green Farm-Higher Fencewood Farm-Whitemore Plantation-Totridge-Hareden Farm-Dunsop Bridge
The weather for the weekend isn't looking good, and since today is my Friday off work I'll make the most of it by heading out for a walk. I'm not going far though, just across the Ribble Valley to Dunsop Bridge in the Forest of Bowland. The route that I decided on took in the countryside around the River Hodder to the south of Dunsop Bridge, with an option to visit the summit of Totridge if I felt like it, which I did. Most of the route was already familiar to me from recent visits, but it had been twelve years since I'd last walked the bridleway through Whitemore Plantation towards Mellor Knoll. Feels like it was just yesterday. Today had better weather than the weekend will, but it was hardly a beautiful spring day. Mostly dull and cloudy with just a glimpse of the sun every now and then, and quite hazy, so that the views were restricted to the nearby fells.
After parking my car in Dunsop Bridge I walked east along the road through the village before taking a footpath on the right across the River Hodder to Thorneyholme Hall, then from there a footpath south across fields to Burholme Farm, and along a track to Burholme Bridge. After walking across Burholme Bridge I took the road on the left and walked along it until I reached a footpath along a track on the left, which I took to reach New Laund Farm. I followed the footpath through the farm, and then up and across New Laund Hill to Fair Oak, through the farm, and across fields to Little Bowland Road. Here I turned right and walked along the road, turning right at the bend, then walking past Knott End Farmhouse to take a footpath on the left across Long Knots. When this reached a track I followed it north to Dinkling Green Farm, then took the footpath north across fields to Higher Fencewood Farm, and to the bridleway to Hareden Farm and the valley of Langden Brook. After a stop for lunch by the bridleway I followed it north up through Whitemore Plantation and across the western slopes of Mellor Knoll until I reached the concessionary footpath to Totridge. I took this and made my way up to the trig point and summit of Totridge. Once I'd taken in the view I returned to the bridleway and followed it north to Harden Farm and the road through the Trough of Bowland. A walk east along the road took me back to Dunsop Bridge.
Total ascent: 2016 ft
OS map used: OL41 - Forest of Bowland & Ribblesdale
Time taken: 6 hrs
Route description: Dunsop Bridge-Thorneyholme Hall-Burholme Farm-Burholme Bridge-New Laund Farm-New Laund Hill-Fair Oak-Little Bowland Road-Dinkling Green Farm-Higher Fencewood Farm-Whitemore Plantation-Totridge-Hareden Farm-Dunsop Bridge
The weather for the weekend isn't looking good, and since today is my Friday off work I'll make the most of it by heading out for a walk. I'm not going far though, just across the Ribble Valley to Dunsop Bridge in the Forest of Bowland. The route that I decided on took in the countryside around the River Hodder to the south of Dunsop Bridge, with an option to visit the summit of Totridge if I felt like it, which I did. Most of the route was already familiar to me from recent visits, but it had been twelve years since I'd last walked the bridleway through Whitemore Plantation towards Mellor Knoll. Feels like it was just yesterday. Today had better weather than the weekend will, but it was hardly a beautiful spring day. Mostly dull and cloudy with just a glimpse of the sun every now and then, and quite hazy, so that the views were restricted to the nearby fells.
After parking my car in Dunsop Bridge I walked east along the road through the village before taking a footpath on the right across the River Hodder to Thorneyholme Hall, then from there a footpath south across fields to Burholme Farm, and along a track to Burholme Bridge. After walking across Burholme Bridge I took the road on the left and walked along it until I reached a footpath along a track on the left, which I took to reach New Laund Farm. I followed the footpath through the farm, and then up and across New Laund Hill to Fair Oak, through the farm, and across fields to Little Bowland Road. Here I turned right and walked along the road, turning right at the bend, then walking past Knott End Farmhouse to take a footpath on the left across Long Knots. When this reached a track I followed it north to Dinkling Green Farm, then took the footpath north across fields to Higher Fencewood Farm, and to the bridleway to Hareden Farm and the valley of Langden Brook. After a stop for lunch by the bridleway I followed it north up through Whitemore Plantation and across the western slopes of Mellor Knoll until I reached the concessionary footpath to Totridge. I took this and made my way up to the trig point and summit of Totridge. Once I'd taken in the view I returned to the bridleway and followed it north to Harden Farm and the road through the Trough of Bowland. A walk east along the road took me back to Dunsop Bridge.
Route map
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Across the River Hodder at Thorneyholme Hall
From Thorneyholme Hall I take the footpath south to Burholme
Looking back to Thorneyholme Hall backed by Beatrix Fell
This bridge carries an aqueduct across the river
Langden Brook joins the River Hodder
Ahead is New Laund Hill, which I'll be visiting soon
The River Hodder from Burholme Bridge
Following the footpath through New Laund Farm..
Looking back up the valley of the River Hodder from New Laund Hill
and as I cross to the other side of New Laund Hill I have a view across the Whitewell gorge backed by Longridge Fell
Following the footpath to Fair Oak..
When the footpath from Fair Oak reaches Little Bowland Road I turn right and walk along towards Knott End Farmhouse..
Looking back to Longridge Fell in the distance as I take the footpath across Long Knots
On the other side of Long Knots and I follow the footpath along the track to Dinkling Green Farm..
Looking back to Dinkling Green Farm as I take a footpath across fields to Higher Fencewood Farm
Crossing Dinkling Green Brook as I reach Higher Fencewood Farm
Sunshine on Long Knots
At Higher Fencewood Farmhouse
From Higher Fencewood Farm I take the bridleway north to Hareden Farm and the valley of Langden Brook
Looking back along the track to Higher Fencewood Farm, with Long Knots on the left
The bridleway leaves the track and heads up into the conifers of Whitemore Plantation
The eastern slopes of Totridge appear ahead
OS benchmark on a post by the wall
Looking across the valley of the River Hodder to Hodder Bank Fell and Birkett Fell
Following the bridleway up the western slopes of Mellor Knoll
I've left the bridleway for the concessionary footpath up Totridge, from which I have a view across to the fells around the Trough of Bowland
At the trig point on Totridge. Looking southwest to Parlick and Fair Snape Fell.
A hazy view looking north towards Ward's Stone in the distance
There's a great view from the path back down from Totridge of Mellor Knoll, the Hodder valley, and Hodder Bank Fell..
Following the bridleway down to Hareden Farm, surrounded by the fells by the road to the Trough of Bowland..
At Hareden Farm
Crossing Langden Brook
Looking back along the road to the Trough of Bowland as I walk along it Dunsop Bridge
Back in Dunsop Bridge