Keep safe!

Keep safe!
You are responsible for your own safety and that of your dog. The walks listed in this blog are not detailed guides. Plan your route! Click the landrover image for safety advice from Bowland Pennine MRT.

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Crook O' Lune to Halton

Making the most of the fine and dry weather we took a trip to the Crook O' Lune near Lancaster this morning for a lovely riverside and woodland walk. The route we took was about 4 miles. Some sections are very steep and muddy.

Our route started at the Crook O' Lune picnic site, near to Junction 34 of the M6. The well made footpath heading through the field adjacent to the car park provided an immediate chance for a good game of fetch before we turned away from the river, looping back towards the road leading to Halton Green. A well signed footpath on the other side of the road led steeply down to the river where we followed a lovely route down past the Halton rapids to Halton Mill. The route past the disused Mill was rather less scenic but we soon reached the narrow bridge which led across to the cycle and bridleway which forms part of the fabulous River Lune Millennium Park.

We followed the cycleway back towards the picnic site, stopping en-route for a run in the fields and a spot of paddling. A short but steep diversion took us up to the rather disappointing viewpoint at Grey's Seat, before we returned to the car park via Caton Lune Bridge.

There are plenty of chances for a good off-lead run on this walk but keep your dog under close control on the busy cycleway. Probably not a safe walk when the river is in flood!

Click here for Google Map.

Doggy rating 7/10

Saturday, March 07, 2009

Ashford in the Water and Monsal Head (Derbyshire)

Vorsprung durch Technik counts for nothing as far as the dog is concerned. Having now replaced our increasingly unreliable Peugot he is no happier with our new model and sulked on todays trip down to see family in Derbyshire. Once there though, we all enjoyed a 4 to 5 mile stroll through some of the finest scenery that the County has to offer.

Our walk began in Ashford in the Water, close to Bakewell. Taking the road out towards Monsal a well signed path on the right took us through farmland, across the busy Monsal Trail and to the small village of Little Longstone. Here, we enjoyed the great views down Monsal Dale and viaduct far below before heading to the dog friendly Stables Bar of the Monsal Head Hotel to get some lunch. Unfortunately, there were plenty of others with the same idea and with nowhere inside to sit, and some ominous clouds overhead, we were not brave enough to risk a spot of alfresco dining and opted for a quick drink instead.

Our route back to Ashford was well signed and a series of walled paths provided a chance for the dog to have a good run off the lead, meeting a few likeminded four legged friends along the way.

A nice walk but lots of stone stiles en route might cause problems for the less agile. Having said that, the dog was able to get over all of them without being lifted and, for once, was relatively clean and dry when we reached the car. We'll definately return for a wander through Monsal Dale itself.

Doggy rating 6/10

Click here for Google Map