The Hidden Valley

The changing weather conditions/forecasts had us planning and rethinking the weekend’s activities two or three times.  In the end it was great to have a stroll up the Pike race route and watch the competitors slogging up and down the hill and take some photos.

Too much snow in the Lakes still for a run out from Buttermere and then heavy rain Sunday morning made Long Sleddale less attractive.  Having given it an hour, we set off along the M65 getting to the Spring Wood picnic site and the start of the run around the Hidden Valley in the shadow of Pendle Hill. 

A punishingly cold wind accompanied us all day, but it was dry and although once or twice the rain threatened it never materialised.  Our route took us up over Clerk Hill, Hambledon Hill with its array of TV and communication masts bristling in the sunshine to the Nick of Pendle.

A short diversion out over Wiswell Moor to the trig point and over a bronze age burial cairn where a 12th century villain was murdered and interred explains the marking on the map ‘Jeppe Knave Grave’.

FSS with Pendle Hill behind looking directly across the valley to Noggarth Ridge. 

Next point of interest was this wooden cross on the hill above Newchurch in Pendle, presumably erected by the Christian community at Saddlers to celebrate Easter.

Looking out to Pendle Hill with a little residual snow on the ridge and below

A tortuous route through Aitken Wood (not to be repeated) took us to the second trigpoint on Stang Top Moor.   Below, Middlewood from below the trigpoint.

 

       

First view of Blacko Tower sitting proudly on the skyline atop of Black Hill. The tower, formerly known as Jonathan’s Tower, was erected by the said Jonathan Stansfield around 1890. When asked why he was building it he replied, “I’ve never drunk or smoked in my life, so I’m making this as my hobby”.  Clearly, this was pre-FRA days!

Turning at the head of the valley at Waters Meeting where Blacko Water and Pendle Water come together we climbed back onto the ridge stopping for refreshments at the Noggarth End Road Shop.  This former toll house, offers an array of refreshments – well worth a visit if you’re in the area they even have their own website – mind it’s only outdoor seating!  Meat and Potatoe pie Sunday’s special, we just had a Hot Choc and a Horlicks!  Back into the headwind along the ridge to the third trigpoint at the Rigg of England (no photo)

 

A much more satisfactory route than our original kept us high on the ridge rather than dropping into Sabden.  This enabled us to bag our fourth trigpoint of the day on Black Hill – not visited before.

Finally dropping down to the bridge over Sabden Brook before the climb back over Clerk Hill to Spring Wood.

A cracking day out, giving us 21.3m and 3,435ft of ascent.

NLN