Welcome to the walking group
We hope you will find this a friendly, informal group and have lots of fun exploring the local countryside with us. To begin with we have mainly focused on easy local walks ranging from 4-6 miles. In time, we hope to develop a programme of walks of varying levels, which will appeal to all members in the group, regardless of ability. Walks are generally led by walking group members. It is not necessary to lead walks yourself in order to join us, but if you would like to lead a walk, or have suggestions for future walks please contact the walking group leader.
SEE BELOW FOR WALK DETAILS
Details of official West Pennine Villages U3A walks will be listed on this walking group page and in Google calendar. Walk details will also be emailed to members in advance. This will include:
- date and start time of walk
- level of walk i.e easy, moderate, strenuous (click walk gradings for more information)
- length of route
- likely terrain, stiles/hills etc
- starting point and car park details (post code and/or grid ref:see Google calendar for postcode link to Google maps)
- whether dogs on lead are permitted
Things to consider if you are coming along to a walk:
- wear appropriate gear for the conditions, i.e walking shoes, boots, waterproofs
- bring adequate refreshment
- let the walk leader know if you have any relevant health issues
- bring your U3A card
- carry details of an emergency contact for yourself
Walk leaders are advised to complete a walk risk assessment and walk day check list prior to the start of a walk.
Walks will be open to U3A members only and for health and safety purposes a register will be taken on the day. Non U3A members thinking of joining the U3A may attend a walk as their ‘one-off’ free taster event but they MUST identify themselves to the walk leader before the start of the walk and have registered in advance with the walk leader prior to attending.
Members organising an informal walk not listed in the programme are reminded that for insurance purposes, this will not be considered a U3A activity, even if other U3A members take part.
Please check the website the evening before a walk as weather conditions may result in a walk being cancelled or changed at short notice. Walk routes may be subject to change on the day, at the discretion of the walk leader.
If you are interested in joining us on our next walk, please click on the following link to contact the Walking group.
| Dates for your Diary | |||||||||||||||
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| Mon Oct 25th | Longton Brickcroft circular
Park at Longton Brickcroft Nature Reserve car park, Liverpool Rd, Longton, Preston PR4 5YY. If travelling from the Withnell Fold area, the Satnav may take you onto the M65 in the direction of Walton Summit. At the end of the M65 join the A582, then follow lanes for a few miles until you eventually turn left off Chapel lane onto the Longton Bypass/A59, heading south. Stay on the bypass for about a mile then at the roundabout take the 5th exit onto Liverpool Rd. The nature reserve is about half a mile along Liverpool Rd on the right. Easy circular walk through Brickcroft Nature Reserve and surrounding fields and lanes taking in sections of the Ribble Way. Flat walk, though includes 3 or 4 styles. Can be muddy so appropriate footwear essential. Some walking through farmers fields so cows possible. Dogs on a lead welcome at your discretion. No toilets en route, though toilets at Booths café, Liverpool Rd, Longton, Preston PR4 5NB (less than a mile from start/finish point). Walk leader: Alan. | ||||||||||||||
| Mon Nov 8th | Hoghton Bottoms to Salmesbury Circular
Moderate circular walk (apart from part of Chapel Lane), partly on The Witton Weavers Way and partly on The Lancashire Way. A combination of footpaths, tracks and quiet lanes. We will walk down Chapel Lane, cross the River Darwen and ascend through woods and fields to Alum Scar House. Here we join a rocky track leading down the wooded valley of Arlen Brook. We then join quiet lanes to walk through the hamlet of Nabs Head, down to Salmsbury Bottoms. Here we take a footpath along the River Darwen before beginning to climb up on tracks and footpaths to rejoin Chapel Lane near the railway line. Five stiles. Muddy in places. A few cows grazing by the River Darwen likely. No facilities en route although the Boars Head opens at noon. Walk leaders: Kath and Mike. | ||||||||||||||
| Mon Nov 22nd | Adlington Canal walk
Meet at The Spinners at Cowling car park, 77-79 Cowling Rd, Chorley, PR6 9EA. Easy walk through Limbrick, taking the footpath through Chorley Golf Club and then public footpaths across fields to the King George playing fields in Adlington. After a short walk through Adlington town we will stop at the marina for refreshments, then walk back to Cowling along the canal. More details to follow. Walk leader: Paul. | ||||||||||||||
| Mon Dec 6th | Brinscall - Great Hill circular Details to follow. Walk leader: Gordon. | ||||||||||||||
| Mon Dec 20th | Witton Weavers' Way Part 2
Meet at Witton Country Park, Tower Rd car park. Nearest postcode: BB2 5LE. Follow signs for Pleasington Cemetery and Crematorium. Approaching from Chorley on A674 postcode takes you to the start of Tower Rd. Follow Tower Rd through the park for 3/4 mile approx, past all the playing fields and the car park is at the end of Tower Road on the right, just before the Pleasington Cemetery Gates. Free parking. This is a moderate circular walk in an anti clockwise direction following The Beamer’s Trail. Some of the trail you will recognise from last time! From the start we walk along the playing fields to Big Cover Wood, then climb steadily through the wood, crossing Under Billinge Lane to enter Billinge Wood. Here the climb continues with a steep (but thankfully short) bit near the top! From here we cross fields to the view point (photo taken here last time!) on the ‘yellow hills’, then cross fields and continue to Close Farm from where we eventually drop down to Houghton Bottoms. We then follow the river for a short while before heading up to come out on Pleasington Road and follow the road to Pleasington Priory before heading back to the car park. Walk is along well marked paths, through woods and across fields, with very muddy stretches likely. Several stiles. Dogs on a lead welcome. Walk leader: Ann. | ||||||||||||||