| Walk: | Higher Wheelton, over, under and along various stretches of the former Blackburn to Chorley railway line, past the site of the former ordnance storage bunkers of the ROF | ||
| Start Point: | Higher Wheelton, Whins Lane lay-by | Grid Reference: | SD 605 220 |
| Distance: | 9.6 mls | Ascent: | 1,200 ft |
| Time: | 5.5 hrs | ||
| Weather: | Light rain at the start, but dry for rest of the walk | ||
| Comments: | 17 walkers. Great views across to the
Bowland fells, Pendle and, in the distance, Ingleborough and the
Lake District. Lots of signs of approaching spring: lambs, pussy
willows, snowdrops and catkins. The walk took us by, over, under and along various stretches of the former Blackburn to Chorley railway line which had been the outermost link in an ambitious scheme to connect Blackburn to the Mersey at Garston Dock, south of Liverpool. The line opened in 1869, and the last stretch from Cherry Tree to Feniscowles closed in 1968. The Chorley Guardian reported the “End of the Hikers’ Railway.” The walk also took us past the farm where the 2001 outbreak of “foot and mouth” had started, and the site of the former ordnance storage bunkers of the ROF. |
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Scroll down to see photos of the walk
Water was rushing everywhere after recent rain
Gaiters were certainly useful
No Spring colours yet!
No camera today Norman
Lunch is a serious business!
Tree Relections
Bill enjoying a tea break!
Is it a bird or a plane or . . . . . .
Tea break near Ollerton Fold