Sunday, 27th October 2013

Walk: Dunsop Fell, Whitendale, Croasdale
Start Point: Slaidburn car park Grid Reference: SD 714 524
Distance: 13.5 miles Ascent: 2,500 feet
Time: 6.5 hours    
Weather: Windy with Scattered Showers
Comments: Weather wasn't looking promising as a seven members of the party donned full waterproof gear before setting off from Slaidburn Car Park. We walked through the village passing the Hark to Bounty ale house and out on the quiet lanes to the base of the fells. The ascent up the side of Dunsop Fell was heads down as the wind and rain took hold, encouraging brisk pace to the top of the fell and on to the trig Point on Burn Fell. We stopped briefly taking a bit of shelter behind a boundary wall for a quick tea break. Onwards to Dunsop Head , sodden and boggy and through the gate leading over the fell to Whitendale. There was a slight improvement in the weather which opened up views of the fells to the west and the valley below. Our route then followed the rain gorged Whitendale River to the upper reaches of the valley and after a break for lunch a short ascent up to Hornby Road, a Packhorse route also Known as the Salterfell Track. The route is also defined as a Roman Road. The road followed the course of Croasdale Brook heading back down the valley. We stopped briefly to admire a "Witches 400" tercet commissioned and erected to commemorate the 400 year anniversary of the trial and execution of the Pendle Witches. A short poem by the Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy adds interest to the waymarker. We continued to follow the Roman Road off the fell and onto House Lane and the path returning to Slaidburn.

Scroll down to see photos of the walk

Heading up the side of Dunsop Fell . . .

 

to trig point on Burn Fell

 

Two minutes . . .before the next rain shower

 

A peaty, boggy path . . .

 

takes us across the fell . . .

 

and the group stops . . .

 

to check out Whitendale Farm in the valley below

 

We cross the bridge . . .

 

and walk past the farm to follow the Whitendale River

 

Lunch is taken sheltering amongst the heather

 

A break in the weather as we head up the valley

 

On Hornby Road after a short ascent . . .

 

and just in case . . .

 

we don't know which way to go

 

Tercet waymarker . . .

 

with a name and a poem

 

Witches 400 . . . what has John seen in the grass?

 

Robb points out the alternative route . . .

 

but we decide to keep to the 'high road'

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