The Fiftieth, YES Fiftieth of our “Hubberton Hikers Hikes” is now scheduled for Saturday April 21st 2007. The hike is planned to start at 11am from Gorpley Clough Foot a mile west of Todmorden on the A681 Bacup road, there is an enclosure for a few cars. The hike is approximately 7 miles long and will take about 4 to 4.5 hours at a gentle pace. It is planned to have a meal/drink @ either the Stubbing Wharfe or the Coiners when the hike is completed.
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Directions: as above.
A little footpath (signposted Gorpley Clough) climbs from the roadside by the side of a timber yard. A well-constructed staircase of stone takes the path to the streamside. Cross the stream on a little wooden footbridge and climb on the path, which wends its way past a couple of pretty waterfalls, both in shady bowers decorated by fern, campion and ragwort. The path re-crosses the stream and climbs out of the dene to a gate by northwest waters treatment plant, which lies beneath the huge Gorpley reservoir dam. Turn right to follow the stony track, which circumvents the plant and climbs beneath pylons to a T-junction west of Gorpley Farm. Turn left along a walled for a short way but leave this when it veers left to descend to another farm. Instead maintain a southwesterly direction by crossing the primitive stile by a gate and continuing across fields above the farm. Keep to the same contour line until a cart track from the farm climbs to join the path at a five bar gate. Follow the track until it disappears in cow pastures at the edge of the moors. A faint track is beginning to be ingrained on to the ground, but it is spasmodic and confused by the odd sheep track. The going improves slightly beyond the crossing of the infant Gorpley stream. The route to the ridge is trackless; be content to aim for the mine on the horizon. Cross the cinder track, which once served the local mines. A footpath sign points the way uphill to a ladder stile on the ridge wall. A small pool on the other side of the wall lies surrounded by cotton grass. It can be quite a spectacle on a sunny April day. Turn left and follow the wide ridge. The rest of the Walk can be obtained from Leader if desired before the date, otherwise follow “YOUR LEADER” on the day. |
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ANY FRIENDS OR FAMILY CAN JOIN THIS BRILLIANT BAND OF PEOPLE ON THE DAY AT THE SAID TIME. PLEASE INFORM LEADER OF ANY INTAKES!
A moderate moorland walk with good paths through the initial woodland stages, but more difficult going on the moors. Inchfield moor, is the highest of the hills that surround Todmorden, and offers wide vistas of the Rossendale and Calder Valley’s, Stoodley Pike and Blackstone Edge. The start will be taken at a leisurely pace so as to make sure that ALL those who wish to complete the hike will do so. PLEASE take note of "ANDYS AMBLING ADVICE" and ensure that warm and waterproof clothing is/are taken in case of any change in the weather.
A MAP of the walk is available HERE.
A Microsoft Word version of this page is available for download here (272K)
This page last updated on 12th November 2006