Midge Walkers

Walk No.  169

Three Rivers- Tolkein Trail-24-06-2023

It is almost twelve months since we last attempted a Saturday walk and 5 years since taking in the scenic landscape through the Ribble Valley. Other groups seemed to have chosen the same day and Hurst Green was a veritable throng of walkers. 10.40 saw the 8 assembled, passing down the side of the Shireburn Arms and instantly noting updates to the previous route. Stiles had been replaced by metal kissing gates and the whole route had been concentrated into a stone path to descend to the footbridge leading us to the bank of the River Ribble, Even, here, the pathway had been over-layed with astro turf to assist in keeping the route clear.

Following the contours of the River with the water constantly on our right and views of Pendle Hill in the distance, a point was reached where a new river branch was noted on the far bank. This was the joining of the River Calder and the point where the bank houses nesting holes for Sand and House Martins who were apparently away on holiday today. The buildings of Hacking Hall, the 17th century Jacobean Mansion was also visible in the background.

Further along the path, a fisherman’s hut provided a suitable stopping point for an intake of liquid refreshment to replenish that we had lost due to perspiration. After the brief stop, we resumed the route to a point where another split in the river saw the Ribble branching to the right and we were now following the third river being the Hodder. Passing along a drive, we entered the very clean farmyard of Winkley Hall, which looked unoccupied. Emerging at the other side on to the road, we climbed the slope to a fingerpost marker on the right pointing us into a field, passing the Rolls Royce of pig sty’s, on our left. Keeping to the path, views of Stonyhurst College were prominent to our front but as we followed the route down towards the road, the sight of a bus shelter with seats which was to be our lunch stop became our main focus.

Our usual group photograph was taken by an obliging passer-by, following which we resumed our journey. Passing down Whalley Rd we arrived at the Lower Hodder Bridge, where looking to the right the remains of Cromwell’s Bridge could be viewed. Details of a bridge in this position can be traced back to 1430, but its name is derived from the time during the Civil War, Oliver Cromwell marched his 8,600man army over this bridge, on his way to the Battle of Preston, fought in August 1648 at Walton-le-Dale.

Turning along the path at the edge of the bridge with the river to our right, we followed the curve of the water course until arriving at an upward incline through the trees to its crest and then downward, picking our way through the tree lined path amid other walkers coming in the opposite direction. Angling left over a stone bridge at the base, we could see a steep stepped path before us, which for those who had done the walk before, knew what we were in for. 122 steps later, after a few pauses along the way, we reached the summit and followed the outer perimeter of the woodland to emerge on to a gravel lane and ultimately the tarmac of Knowles Brow where we turned right.

After following a gentle upward slope, we arrived at one of the gates in to the College and perched on a convenient wall for another refreshment stop. We couldn’t help but notice the quality of vehicles drawing up to the barriers to gain access, doubtless to pick their little darlings up for the end of term holiday. But when one is paying just short of £30,000 a year for education, it is hoped you can afford a decent mode of transport.

Progressing further along the road, another gate provided us access into the impressive 1000 acre grounds of the school dating back to 1593. Making our way through to the central drive, flanked on either side by a rectangular lake, we made our way along Avenue Road, turning left at the end and returning towards our starting point.

7.5 miles was the distance covered taking around 5 hours. There had certainly been some testing moments, but in the main the weather conditions had been kind to us and the improvements made since our last outing here, were certainly a noted improvement.

The views never fail to impress and the pleasure of participating in such mutually joyous activities cannot be over exaggerated.