Cheshire Walkers Walks Programme: Apr 2012 { Sep 2012 Sun 1st Apr 2012: Cheshire: The Gritstone Trail Finale!!! Description: If you have been on any of the Grit Stone Trail walks, or even if you haven't, come along to the conclusion of this Long Distance Path. This walk starts from Disley station where there are public conveniences and plenty of parking. The walk will take us along green lane into and around Lyme park , enjoying far reaching views. We will then join the cheshire ring canal as well as a European long distance route for a short distance before returning to Disley. Where we have the option of stopping for a drink and food at the Rams Head .. http://www.theramsheaddisley.co.uk/ Start point: Disley Railway Station car park, SD 973 846 Map OL1 Level: Moderate Distance: approx 10 miles Leader: Tracy Sun 8th Apr 2012: Mynydd Mawr, Snowdonia Description: Meet at Waunfawr station: http://www.festrail.co.uk/popupmap/waunfawr.htm at 10.00. We will then take the 10.30 steam-train to Rhyd Ddu (tickets around $7), walking back to Waunfawr via Mynydd Mawr. The walk will be graded as Strenuous, the climb to the summit being rather steep and involving a narrow ridge. You are welcome to join the walk just for the day. Some of us will probably head over to Snowdonia on the Friday or Saturday to make the most of the weekend, probably camping, depending on the weather, probably at Beddgelert. There will be no formal plan to the walks on Friday/Saturday but if you'd like to join us then let me know. Obviously, you will need to organise your own tent/accommodation and meals. Contact me if you need to know more. Start point: The car park at Waunfawr station on the Welsh Highland Railway Level: Strenuous Distance: 10 miles Leader: Andrew Sun 15th Apr 2012: Lake District: Kentmere Horseshoe Description: This is a challenging & classic Lakeland horseshoe walk with good views throughout and encompassing at least 7 Wainwrights. Due to a shortage of parking in Kentmere village, the idea is to meet in Staveley at 9.45 am and then transport us all in a minimum number of cars to Kentmere village. We will ascend from Kentmere village, the west ridge of the Kentmere valley with a roller coaster of a walk taking in Yoke, Ill Bell, Froswick and High Street. There should be good views of many Lakeland mountains, the Troutbeck Valley and Haweswater lake. From High Street, we will take the link via Mardale Ill Bell and the Nan Bield Pass, to the start of the Kentmere Valleys east ridge on Harter Fell. We will then follow this ridge via Kentmere Pike and Shipman Knotts back down to Kentmere village. Please note that the ridges on this walk are wide. Start point: The right hand side of the road from Staveley to Kentmere just past Barley 1 Bridge. Level: Strenuous Distance: 12-13 miles Leader: Jay Sun 22nd Apr 2012: West Yorkshire: Yorkshire Sculpture Park Description: The Yorkshire Sculpture Park is an outdoor gallery, set in a former deer park, containing sculptures by Elizabeth Frink, Anthony Caro, Barbara Hepworth, Henry Moore, Anthony Gormley, amongst many others. We'll do a walk around the grounds and surrounding countryside, with free time at the end to sample either the indoor exhibitions or excellent tea shop. Note: The car park only opens at 10am, so I've put back the start of the walk until 10:30am. Start point: Main car park at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park (cost: 5), nearest postcode WF4 4LG. (Although this looks a long way east, it's only around 1hr 10 from Jn10 of the M56.) Level: Leisurely Distance: 8 miles Leader: Charles Sun 29th Apr 2012: South Pennines: Blackstone Edge from Ogden Reservoir Description: This walk takes us onto some of the quieter parts of the South Pennines, briefly into Yorkshire and onto the catchment divide of Blackstone Edge on the Pennine Way. From here there are excellent views both east to Yorkshire and west to Lancashire. We will then return along parts of the Pennine Bridleway, through the hamlet of Rakewood and under the viaduct of the M62 to the quiet Piethorne Valley. Start point: Free small car park at Ogden Reservoir just off the A640 Newhey to Denshaw road. NGR SD 9517 1252. The easiest way to get here is to leave the M62 at Junction 21 and follow signs for the A640 and, at first Shaw, and then Newhey. From the motorway slip road you should go through 3 roundabouts turning right at the third one onto the A640. About half a mile after this third roundabout turn left, signposted Huddersfield. This is still the A640. After another mile or so turn left onto Ogden Road on a bend. There is no obvious signpost highlighting this turning, so the best thing to look out for is a billboard for the Bulls Head pub. After another 200 yards or so bear left (opposite a cemetery) doen a private road. The car park is just before the houses on the left. If it is full there is plenty of space on the road. Level: Moderate Distance: 10.5 miles Leader: Simon Fri-Mon 4th May 2012: May Bank Holiday weekend in Pitlochry Description: Its been several years since the group last visited Scotland so its high time we paid another visit. We have decided to base ourselves in Pitlochry which is accessible by train or in around 5 hrs by car from the M56 corridor. 2 Pitlochry is in the heart of Highland Perthshire, the geographical centre of Scotland. For more information on Pitlochry please see www.pitlochry.org/highlandperthshire/ The plan is to arrive on Friday 4 May, stay for 3 nights and return home on Monday 7 May. Walks Saturday: Schiehallion (1083 m) This is an isolated Munro (Mountain >3000 ft) which gives it a striking appearance from all directions. The ascent is steep, but the walk is short, so we can take our time. Grade: Strenuous Distance: 6 miles Sunday: Ben Vrackie (841 m) This is a Corbett (Mountain 2500-3000 ft) which is situated immediately to the North of Pitlochry. It comes highly recommended from someone who has been pretty much everywhere in Scotland. After ascending from Pitlochry, we will return via Killiecrankie, the River Garry and Loch Faskally. The ascent is all at the start, the second half is much easier. Grade: Strenuous Distance: 12 Miles Please contact Alison for further information regarding accomodation Start point: TBC Level: Strenuous Leader: Tom or Alison S Sun 13th May 2012: Peak District: The Roaches and Lud's Church Description: This is a 7 mile moderate walk along one of the most southerly of the Peak District edges. Although it is a fairly short walk, there is plenty of interest. We'll start in Upper Hulme and walk past Hen Cloud. We'll head up among the gritstone cliffs to the top of the ridge on the Roaches and hopefully get good views across, although given the weather last time, I have no idea of what. We then head to Lud's Church, which is a real Peak District oddity, a 60 ft chasm in the ground which we will walk through. We'll then head back to Upper Hulme where there is a good chance that the tea shop will be open for business. Please let me know if you are coming. Email [email protected] or text 07817 755564. Usual walking gear please (definitely walking boots) and gaiters are recommended. There were some steep muddy sections, not all of which due to improvised map reading. Parking is limited to laybys. I recommend driving through Upper Hulme and picking one of the laybys on the road underneath the Roaches. These appeared to be free but come prepared with change, I did not check closely as to whether they charge. There are no toilets. Getting there:- if you are coming from the A53, turn left at Upper Hulme and drive through the village, Hen Cloud and the Roaches appear on your right. Starting point though is the tea shop, so walk back down towards the village. Post code for the tea shop is ST13 8TY. Start point: Laybys on the road through Upper Hulme, at the bottom of the Roaches, and near the Roaches Tea Rooms. Nearest postcode ST13 8TY Level: Moderate Distance: 7 miles Leader: Kate Sun 20th May 2012: North Wales: Ruthin Description: The walk starts from the town of Ruthin. There is a steady climb through beautiful mixed woodlands which leads to the Offas Dyke Path. We then continue along 3 the flanks of the Clwydian range. There will be time at the end to go to the caf in Ruthin Craft Centre or have a browse around the Craft Centre. Don't be put off by the Hard rating. This is just because of a steep climb at the start. Start point: Grid Reference: GR126585 Car Park at the Ruthin Craft Centre, Park Road, Ruthin, Denbighshire LL15 1BB Parking is free and permission to park has been obtained. Level: Hard - steep at first but moderate afterwards Distance: 10 miles Leader: Sarah Sun 26th May 2012: Kinder Scout Circuit Trespass (mini challenge) Description: This walk is in celebration of the 80th Anniversary of the Kinder Scout Trespass, organised by Manchester lad Benny Rothman and company, and will also serve as a training walk for the forthcoming challenge walk to be held on Saturday 16th June. We will start from Hayfield, as the trespassers did in 1932, climb up to the plateau via William Clough, then proceed clockwise around the mountain, passing by Ashop Edge, Seal Edge, Mad Woman Stones, Ringing Roger (Winging Woger?), the Wool Packs, and Kinder Downfall.