The Fifty-fourth of our “Hubberton Hikers Hikes” is now scheduled for Saturday October 20th 2007. The hike is planned to start at 11am from the car park on the Trawden to Wycoller lane. The hike is approximately 8 miles long and will take about 4.5 to 5 hours at a gentle pace. It is planned to have a drink and possibly some food at an agreed public house on the way home afterwards.
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Directions: Suggested route from Hebden Bridge, go round the turning circle and up towards Heptonstall (follow the
signs around Heptonstall, the locals prefer you not to drive through it). When you get to Slack,
take the right hand turn (I think its signposted to Colne), through Blake Dean and past the Packhorse Inn.
A couple of miles beyond the Pack Horse take the right hand fork, and right again at the top. A further mile or so,
take a right, and (hopefully) pick up signs to Trawden. Go through Trawden, and take the right turn to
Wycoller, and find the car park a mile or so up. WARNING: Some may find the route just described to be a little adventurous; it uses narrow moorland
roads across the back of beyond; those who would strongly prefer to use A roads can go via Todmorden - Burnley
- Colne - Trawden, or do Keighley - Colne - Trawden, but you will find either of these routes is substantially further in distance than the moors route.
(If you use these routes, the Wycoller Lane is on the left as you reach Trawden). OS Landranger Map 103 recommended.
The lane from the car park dips into Wycoller village and transports the visitor in to the 17th century, with picturesque weavers cottages huddled in to a narrow verdant vale. Cross the playful Wycoller Beck on the fine twin arched Packhorse Bridge, which has origins in the 13th century. The metalled lane follows the banks of Wycoller Beck and continues southeast through the tree-lined dene. Abandon the lane for a track across the beck towards Dean House Farm. A number of paths meet hereabouts. This route, signposted initially to Trawden, begins from a stile and thence southeast across a small field to cross Turnhole Clough, a tributary of Wycoller Beck, via a wooden footbridge. A path then turns left along the upper banks of the splendid wooded glen before entering the woodland for a brief spell. It continues across wild, bracken clad fell sides scattered with crag and boulder. Boulsworth Hill’s northern slopes in the view ahead whet the appetite. The path descends to the banks of the stream before climbing to join the bridleway from Brink End. The old packhorse route soon veers south west and becomes intermittently paved with weather beaten slabs of millstone grit that appear to be sinking into the rushy moors. To the right are high, declining pastures. To the left, beyond the groove of Saucer Hill Clough, the rough pallid course grasses rise to the serrated profiles of the Great Chaucer Stones. The ascent of Boulsworth Hill, a North West Water courtesy route, begins by the lonely farm of Spoutley Lumb on a concrete road that climbs southeast to a small reservoir. 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!
This is a moderate walk on farm lanes, with a stiff climb over rough, wet moorland. Boulsworth Hill’s expanses of heather and weird shaped crags make it one of the most popular tops in the south Pennines. It is the highest peak in a vast tract of moorland stretching from the Calder Valley at Todmorden to the Aire valley at Keighley. Much of the hill is out of bounds to walkers, but two routes can be combined for a splendid walk from the northern side. 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 (271K)
This page last updated on 12th November 2006