| Walk: | Gorple Rocks and Worsthorne | ||
| Start Point: | Hurstwood car park | Grid Reference: | SD 882 315 |
| Distance: | 8 miles | Ascent: | 1,000 feet |
| Time: | 4.75 hours | ||
| Weather: | Fair | ||
| Comments: | The group of 20 set off from the car
park through the old part of Hurstwood and made their way to the
Burnley Way via Fox Stones Bridge. Heading south east until we
joined the Pennine Bridle Way, it was north to the Cant Clough
Reservoir where we had our coffee break. A feature of the area is
the HUSHINGS, which are the remnants of a system of quarrying used
to concentrate the material required. In this case a layer of
limestone was the objective. Areas of land were flooded and then the
water was suddenly released to flush out the limestone. A bit like
large scale gold panning. This left behind the characteristic lumpy
folds in the moors. The route from Cant Clough Reservoir was north
east across the moors via Hindle Banks, Hazel Edge and Rams Clough
to the fence, at the Hare Stones, which marks the boundary between
Lancashire and Yorkshire. There was some light hearted debate as to
which side of the fence we should be! It was decided that the path
on the Lancashire side was better as we climbed up to the Gorple
Stones, which required a crossing of the border at the 'customs
gate' so that we could have our lunch. For some reason it seemed
much colder there, maybe just that it was more exposed. After lunch it was back into Lancashire, heading east along the dual PBW / Burnley Way, past the Hurstwood Reservoir, to Worsthorne. Here time was taken for a break and look round the Church while Bob took time to suss out the local Pub - to determine if it would be a suitable venue for a Wednesday Pub Walk, at least that is what he says. It was then a short walk across the fields to Hurstwood Lane into the new end of Hurstwood and back to the car park. A good interesting day, over the moors and round the reservoirs and 2 old villages. Just a thought, perhaps all that water in the reservoirs came from the Hushings, or was the water there first to enable the flooding in the first place. Best thing about a good walk, plenty to see and time to think. |
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Scroll down to see photos of the walk
Bob raises a laugh as he gives his introduction . . .
before we set off through Hurstwood . . .
passing Spencer's House, looks very old
A friendly horse takes a close look at us
As we pass Middle Pasture . . .
we see that they generate their own power, despite of the proximity of the power cables
Heading along the Burnley Way . . .
for a coffee stop . . .
at Cant Clough Reservoir
We cross the dam . . .
as we leave the reservoir
Climbing onto the moor we can see Burnley in the distance . . .
and continue through the 'Hushings' at Hindle Banks . . .
crossing Rams Clough
Then on to the County Boundary, we are in Lancashire and the Hare Stones on the left are in Yorkshire
Heading for the Gorple Stones (Yorkshire) . . .
from where we look down to Gorple Upper Reservoir.
Heading back along the Pennine Bridleway, we pass Hurstwood Reservoir . . .
to reach Worsthorne pub . . .
and Church . . .
where Bob entertains the troops with information about the pub, says he did not have a swift half?
We leave Worsthorne . . .
and arrive back in Hurstwood