WHITE BEAR WAY – 21 MILE ROUTE

Turn left out of the Scout Hut drive, down Grove Crescent 100m to the path with concrete bollard, turn left and go between the houses, 100m to main road (Railway Road). Take a right and go over the railway bridge and down to the mini round about at the A6. Take a right turn, on to Westhoughton Rd (A6), heading in the Chorley direction for about 1/2 mile. At the end of the dual carriage way, Cross road with care and take a left turn down metalled track (public footpath sign) to the canal (Rigshaw Bridge) (597133, Bridge No 70). Over the bridge and turn immediately right, to canal then right on towpath (100) under Rigshaw Bridge (no.70). Follow the canal and go under bridge No.68. 80 metres after bridge No 68, at yellow footpath sign turn right and go down the steps. At the bottom turn left under the bridge and then turn right over the next bridge. Cross the stream, follow path up the zig zag and continue on main path (disused railway). At fourth track crossing (set of gates) in 1.1km (595 115) (look for overhead electric cables and pole on right with yellow way mark arrows”). Turn left over cattle grid and up metalled track to Aberdeen Farm. At the `T` junction go right along the track to the next `T` junction. Turn left and follow the track to the main road (Pub at end of track on left corner). Cross road and turn left, uphill and in 200m at FP sign opposite Hawthorn Cottage (Pennington Fold Farm) turn right. Pass in front of buildings then right around building to stile in the corner of the hedge. Through the stile half right (150) to left of large gap in hedge then half left (100) to stile, over and continue in the same direction with hedge on your left to next stile in corner, over and right and follow path 110 to next stile, over and then diagonally left, towards houses (96), over stile at fence then carry on to stile in left hand corner and track. Turn left and in 200m just before houses turn right through gate and over playing field (at rear of houses) to Blackrod Community Centre (3.7 miles) (617 106). Through car park to road where left then right to main road. Cross and turn right and take public footpath on left between houses [Pool Green](side of No. 257) (6185 1065) through stile and bear left (342) down path to stile, over stile and through trees to track, bear left, then in a few yards bear left again. 60m after houses (corner of Road) at Whitehall Lane sign turn right down sett paved path (Ignore diagonal path) to A6. Cross with care and take footpath opposite and down the slope to the railway (Cross with care) continue on path to motorway bridge. Cross bridge and follow road, just before cattle grid turn right on road and through gate onto the track. Continue on track passing Anderton Old Hall Farm around black security gate, to main road (631 121). Cross the road (with care) and turn right, turn left up next road (Dryfield Lane) and follow for 500m. crossing bridge, in 50m turn left onto public bridleway, at three stone posts bear half right and take path (faint at first) through trees to car park CP 1 (635 128).

Take path bearing 270° through trees and continue, crossing diagonal track to main track. turn left on main track to the Castle CP2 (6285 1305).

Leave castle to right hand side (14) and in 100m at seat turn right and then in a further 40m turn left and follow track to road. Cross and continue up track to junction of tracks (634 136), turn right and follow track to rear of school (900m). At junction of tracks take second on your left up hill passing Roynton Road substation on your left. Through the gate and in 25m through kissing gate on the right and follow path to stile on your right. Over stile and down the steps, cross stream and up to track. Turn left and follow track past Ormston Farm to junction of tracks (Wilderswood) (648 126). Turn left up track initially with stream on your left. Continue up track with wall on your right, when track turns right through gate posts continue ahead on narrow path. At junction with track turn right up to gate. CP3 Pike Road (650128).

Turn left along Pike Road and continue for 1km then take track on right and climb to Rivington Pike Beacon (643108) Pass to left of beacon tower and descend steps (take extreme care lots of loose stones) continue ahead to gate. Turn right and continue on track to Pigeon tower (640143) and take right fork and follow track to road, turn right to (Horden Stoops) CP4.(655 158)

Take footpath heading north through stile and in 130 metres take diagonal path to left, continue to junction with main path, turn left and follow downhill to Higher Hempshaws (ruin). Turn right on track and follow to Lead Mines Clough (2k). After second kissing gate descend hill and at junction of paths (630164) turn right and cross concrete bridge. Take gate on right and immediately left up path/steps to memorial. Bear slightly left and go through gate and cross field (280) to stile by gate, turn right and follow track to Jepsons Gate (14.3 miles).CP5 (6235 1696)

Continue ahead on road and just after road swings sharp right take footpath on your left, opposite Manor House (6205 1720). Cross field and follow footpath downhill, ignore path and footbridge on left but continue ahead keeping reservoir on your left to junction of tracks turn right and follow around Anglezarke Reservoir to road. Turn left and follow road past Watermans Cottage and when road swings sharp right take footpath on your left (6140 1805) and go uphill (steps) and over stile. Take the concessionary path up hill (keep close to fence on your right) to stile in top right hand corner, over and to track. Turn left and in 80 metres at concessionary bridleway sign bear right up track. Follow track past small disused quarry to junction of tracks (sign post next to three white rocks opposite) and bear left to stile in fence (do not go to gate) . Over stile and uphill keeping wall on your right to pile of stones (607180) (cairn?).

From cairn, Healy Nab, bear right (330°) and follow wall down hill (keeping wall on your right) to steps and track. Cross track and continue ahead (bearing 350°) to fence line and gate. Turn left and follow track downhill to stile. Over stile and turn immediately left through gap in fence by steel gate. In 20m turn half right (270°) and descend field to stile in bottom left hand corner near lodge. Over stile, in 20m bear left and follow track to buildings. At junction of tracks turn right and follow track between buildings passing Healey Cottage. Continue on track to entrance to factory then take stile on left. Over stile and ahead follow path over two stiles to road (5980 1755). Turn right over motorway bridge and continue down road to canal bridge. Cross canal bridge and turn left and down onto canal and turn right (straight ahead) on the towpath. Continue along canal, past bridge number 75A, to just before bridge number 75 take stile on right and follow path over canal bridge. Continue ahead on footpath across field up to stile at top of field, over and up path between fence lines towards house, cross track and then continue on path between walls to road. Turn left down road to main road, cross with care and turn right and follow road over bridge to Black Horse CP6 (602 163)

In 30m at Cockers Farm turn right down track between buildings and continue on track through two gates and ahead across field keeping fence on your right to stile in bottom right hand corner. Over and continue in same direction to track junction. Turn left and follow track, in 50m turn right (ignore track off to your left) to stile by white gate. Over and follow track around field, initially with trees on your right only, to stile. Over and immediately right on road over railway bridge. Over canal bridge and immediately turn right down steps and right under canal bridge (5965 1540). Follow canal. Just before bridge No. 70 (Rigshaw Bridge) (597133) leave canal through metal stile up track to bridge, turn left over bridge and up track to A6. Turn right and follow A6 to temporary traffic lights. At lights, turn left up Railway Road and over railway bridge, turn left at first road (Grove Ave). Down road and at concrete bollard follow footpath between houses. At road turn right and in 100m turn right to Scout Headquarters and finish. Well Done !!!

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