Crook Peak walk
Monday 7th November – Crook Peak
Walk Leaders: Michelle & Hazel
We start at The Webbington Hotel and Spa and after a short walk down a moderately busy road, we turn onto a quiet lane. We soon take a footpath and start to climb through woods. The path is steep but we will take regular pauses to get our breath back! We emerge to wonderful views near Crook Peak and will continue to climb a little more to the top of the peak itself.
After retracing our steps for a short distance we will walk along a broad flat path until we start to descend to Compton Bishop. Having crossed the busy Webbington Road we will head for the village of Rackley and walk along footpaths through fields and woods, by the river to return to our start point. The walk is 4.7 miles.
Report
Fifteen walkers met at the Webbington Hotel on a cool and slightly misty morning with a forecast threatening rain. We set off and climbed Crook Peak on the M5 side, pretty much straight up through woods but with stops to catch our breath. At the top it was worth the effort, despite the mistiness there were glorious views in all directions - and a stiff breeze. The coffee stop was therefore a bit downhill and in the shelter of a wall.
A length of flat path took us to the top of the steep slope down to Compton Bishop where we had a quick look in the church. We crossed over the Webbington road and on into the tiny village of Rackley and then, by footpaths through fields, back to the hotel for a welcome lunch - and the rain held off for the entire walk.
Many of us agreed that we had never been up that side of Crook Peak before but it was well worth the climb and was a really pleasant walk.
Report by Nick