It's a long time since our last visit to Beacon Fell, near Longridge, so it was good to catch some of this morning's sunshine whilst wandering up to the trig point that marks the summit and even better to find we had the felltop to ourselves.
Beacon Fell has plenty to offer in the way of easy access tramper trails which circle the fell as well as paths through dense woodland. Our route followed the "long" tramper trail with a diversion to the summit and along a few of the smaller woodland tracks but you can take your pick of a number of waymarked routes or just wander at your leisure with little risk of getting lost.
On the down side, there's not much in the way of open grassland for a good game of fetch and given nesting birds in the heather topped moorland near the summit you need to keep your dog under close control. I recall that last time we visited there were sheep grazing the fellside but the felltop fencing has been taken down and the only sign of past livestock are the occasional cattle grids that mark where gates through the fencing used to be.
The dog had a whale of time sniffing every tree trunk and tuft of grass. His only cause for concern was coming face to face with an allegator lying in wait by the tramper trail. I don't think he was ever convinced it was just a lifesize wood sculphture.
The site is managed by the Lancashire County Council Countryside Service. Maps and information can be obtained from the Lancashire County Council website.
Click here for Google map
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.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
A longer walk up Parbold Hill and through Fairy Glen
It's nice when people comment after trying some of the routes suggested, or suggest new walks for us to try. Thanks go to Geoff and his terror of a terrier for this route round Fairy Glen and Parbold Hill. It's a bit longer than the route we took earlier in the year, but takes in a stretch of the canal. Sounds lovely!
From the middle of the lay-by almost across from Fairy Glen cross the stile and head up the field then left along the top of the field to woodland. Follow the obvious path until the conifer plantation bends away then go right, up the hill under power lines. Once you reach the tarmac track go left and then left again down an earth track. This soon joins a small clough and is full of bluebells in spring. The path through the woodland soon joins the A5209 where you go left for 100 yards before crossing a stile on the other side of the road and proceed down the field to a stile in the right hand corner. A few paces to the right and a lane is found which leads to the railway and eventually the canal. Cross the bridge and take a small detour through the hamlet to view the site of an old chapel before retracing your steps and continuing east along the canal towpath. Follow this until you reach bridge 40 then cross this and head up the lane then turn right in front of 2 houses and follow across fields in a straight line before entering Fairy Glen. The path from here heads up the Glen before join the A5209.
Total distance is 4 miles and is a very pleasant and fairly easy walk.
From the middle of the lay-by almost across from Fairy Glen cross the stile and head up the field then left along the top of the field to woodland. Follow the obvious path until the conifer plantation bends away then go right, up the hill under power lines. Once you reach the tarmac track go left and then left again down an earth track. This soon joins a small clough and is full of bluebells in spring. The path through the woodland soon joins the A5209 where you go left for 100 yards before crossing a stile on the other side of the road and proceed down the field to a stile in the right hand corner. A few paces to the right and a lane is found which leads to the railway and eventually the canal. Cross the bridge and take a small detour through the hamlet to view the site of an old chapel before retracing your steps and continuing east along the canal towpath. Follow this until you reach bridge 40 then cross this and head up the lane then turn right in front of 2 houses and follow across fields in a straight line before entering Fairy Glen. The path from here heads up the Glen before join the A5209.
Total distance is 4 miles and is a very pleasant and fairly easy walk.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Bird Nesting and Lambing - Dogs on Leads!
Many of our walks take in open moorland or countryside. Remember that we're now at the hight of lambing time and the bird nesting season and you must keep your dog on a lead on the moors and on farmland.
We recently came across the "Paws on the Moors" project which helps us to understand more of our responsibly as a dog owner and minimise any negative impact on moorland habitat.
There's loads of really good information, including an entertaining 15 minute movie (suitable for kids too) which is well worth a watch.
http://www.pawsonthemoors.org/index.html
We recently came across the "Paws on the Moors" project which helps us to understand more of our responsibly as a dog owner and minimise any negative impact on moorland habitat.
There's loads of really good information, including an entertaining 15 minute movie (suitable for kids too) which is well worth a watch.
http://www.pawsonthemoors.org/index.html
Saturday, April 11, 2009
The Lancaster Canal near Woodplumpton
Canal walks are growing on me. Having been brought up walking on Dartmoor and Lakeland mountains canals have always struck me as flat and relatively uninspiring dull places. Recently, I've begun to realise that our North West canal network is a fantastic resource for a short stroll and is generally as dog friendly as you can get.
Today we ventured just north of Preston to Moon's Bridge Marina, near Woodplumpton. We had no particular aim in mind, being just happy to make the most of the early morning sunshine. Parking on the road near the marina, we joined the canal at Moon's Bridge and strolled west towards Catforth. The towpath was a still a little muddy in parts following the recent rain but the going was easy. The dog was happy to run and sniff his way for an hour or so, until we reached the M55.
We could have used the good network of footpaths in the area to make a circular route but were content to retrace our steps, admiring the views towards the Bowland fells on our return. The route took us part an inviting coffee shop at the marina near Catforth but unfortunately we were a little early to be able to stop and soak up the sunshine on the wooden benches overlooking the canal.
The dog was off lead for most of the route, except for near the occasional road bridges, and seemed to enjoy the trip despite the absence of his ball!
Click here for google map.
Doggy rating 7/10.
Today we ventured just north of Preston to Moon's Bridge Marina, near Woodplumpton. We had no particular aim in mind, being just happy to make the most of the early morning sunshine. Parking on the road near the marina, we joined the canal at Moon's Bridge and strolled west towards Catforth. The towpath was a still a little muddy in parts following the recent rain but the going was easy. The dog was happy to run and sniff his way for an hour or so, until we reached the M55.
We could have used the good network of footpaths in the area to make a circular route but were content to retrace our steps, admiring the views towards the Bowland fells on our return. The route took us part an inviting coffee shop at the marina near Catforth but unfortunately we were a little early to be able to stop and soak up the sunshine on the wooden benches overlooking the canal.
The dog was off lead for most of the route, except for near the occasional road bridges, and seemed to enjoy the trip despite the absence of his ball!
Click here for google map.
Doggy rating 7/10.
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