This week’s local walks are 2 of my favourite yet. Both from the Helmshore/Rossendale area, they offer great views as well as plenty to see along the way. These walks take up to an hour each although if you want to explore further afield, they offer great areas to do that in. You may also spend extra time taking in the wonderful views, taking photographs or splashing in streams and petting animals if you’re lucky. Of course, if you wish to make the walks shorter there are some options for that too.
Helmshore Loop from Park Mill
This walk is approximately 3-3.5km and takes around 45 minutes – 1 hour. It covers a variety of terrain including minor roads, a very short stretch on a main road, grassland and woodland. You can expect to see countryside views as well as a brook, small streams, some farm animals, allotments and quaint homes. Footwear suitable for wet and muddy conditions is advised. Parking is available on the main road (Holcombe Road) where the walk begins.
This route starts from Park Mill on Holcombe Road in Helmshore, Rossendale. As if you had just come out of Park Mill, turn right and head down Holcombe Road. A few metres on, turn right up Park Road just before the small car garage and follow the road as it bends to the right past Albert Mill Antiques. A little further up the lane you should pass a car park with a barrier to the left. Follow the stony path past houses to the right.
The path is a steady uphill climb which passes some large houses, some with gates marked as private land. Continue up the path past a cattle grid and entrance to farmland on the left. The path then joins a small stream which runs down the left-hand side. At the top of the path you should see Middle Park House to the right. Ahead, there’s a gate with a stile alongside it. Pass through the gate (which was open when we did this walk) or over the stile and follow the tarmacked road between 2 houses.
Although this is a quiet road, vehicles do use it for access to and from the properties. Continue on this track as it descends down to join Holcombe Road. Beware if you have dogs or children as this is a main road and the quiet track eventually opens up straight onto it. Cross over the road to the opposite pavement and turn right. You will pass The Ranch to your left (name on the gate) and may well see a variety of animals here including goats, emus, chickens and alpacas. You will then pass a number of allotments to the left. As the allotments end, turn left down an access road before a row of cottages and continue through the gate and under the bridge. Continue on this grassy path which eventually bends to the left to reach a large metal gate and a kissing gate. This area can be quite muddy and if you don’t have appropriate footwear you may end up hanging onto the gate and shuffling along. Please learn from my mistake!
After the gate the main path continues straight ahead however take the smaller path through the gap in the fencing to the left.
Follow this until the path splits and turn right to see a caravan site ahead. Follow the path past the entrance to the site on the left and continue on as it becomes a narrow path with fences either side. This eventually opens up onto a small road past some quaint retirement homes to the left and a brook beyond the fence to the right.
As you reach the end of the road, you should see a sign stating that the right turn is a cul-de-sac. Turn left here and a few metres ahead bear right as you exit the small housing compound through metal gates.
Turn almost immediately left through a wooden gate and follow up the incline to join a concrete path. Follow this path along to the left, with the housing compound now below you to the left. Please be aware that this path is popular with cyclists at peak times. As this path eventually descends you should see the allotments in view again to your right. There is an opportunity here for dogs, children or adults to paddle safely in a shallow stream. You can cross the stream here in appropriate footwear or use the small wooden bridge to the left. Bear left after the bridge so the allotments are to your far right and you will cross over an old viaduct. Exit the viaduct and head down the steps ahead or use the ramp to the left. Follow the access path to the right which opens back out onto Holcombe Road opposite Park Mill where the walk began.
Robin Hood’s Well and Ellen Strange Memorial
This walk is approximately 3.2km and takes around 45minutes – 1 hour with the option of turning round at Robin Hood’s Well to cut the walk to 2.5km and around 35 -45 mins. The walk starts on Alden road in Rossendale, located behind the building (currently for sale) that was previously Anacapri restaurant and the White Horse pub. The car park is currently cordoned off but there is parking on Alden Road and also a small lay-by type area to the left after the car park where you can park for free for an unlimited time. The route can get wet underfoot as it climbs and the stretch after the well covers moorland and so appropriate footwear is a must.
Begin the walk by heading away from the main road up Alden Road, a lane lined with trees (pictured above). Whilst this road is quiet, please bear in mind that vehicles can come along here. Around 350 metres up the lane, turn left following the bridleway sign through the gates of Dowry Head (pictured below).
Follow the lane up the gradual incline and turn right at the signs for a bridleway and public footpath.
The path becomes more uneven here and can be wet. Once on this path there is no traffic but it can be popular with bikes at peak times. This path leads up a fairly steep climb to a wooden gate at the top.
Just before the gate to the right there is a small stone structure. This is Robin Hood’s Well. The structure itself is somewhat small and may appear unremarkable, however the history is interesting and you can learn about where it got it’s name plus further details on local websites if you wish to do some research. As you have now climbed to a fair height, on a clear day you will get views for miles around. If you want to, you can turn round here after taking in the views and the walk will be around 2.5km and take around 35-45 minutes. The walk after this gets more uneven and goes across some moorland but the higher you climb the better the views get so I’d highly recommend continuing if you are able.
Continue through the wooden gate just after Robin Hood’s Well and you should see signs welcoming you to Holcombe Moor and a somewhat weathered map. Whilst the main path continues straight ahead, turn right up the narrower soil path. Before doing so, you may wish to take in some views from the metal gate to the left. From here on a clear day you can see Edenfield below and the high rise of Manchester to the far right. Using the right-hand path, climb to the top of the short hill which runs parallel to a stone wall to the right.
Eventually the path bends to the left away from the wall (pictured) and you may be able to see a flag pole on the far horizon.
Continuing on this path you should soon see a large pile of stones (a cairn) and a stone pillar. If you look carefully you can see a woman’s body carved into the pillar. It was at this point my walking partner told me this is where they found the body of a woman murdered in 1761. Thanks Dad. I’m glad I wasn’t alone and/or it wasn’t dark at this point however, once again, you can read all about the details of this case and subsequent stone memorial on local websites as part of the rich and fascinating history of this area. Tradition asks that if you pass this point you add a stone to the pile so that the story and Ellen’s memory may continue through the ages.
Additionally, the views are beautiful and your surroundings become quieter and more peaceful as you climb. There are miles of Moorland to explore from here however to complete this walk you would turn around and head back via the same route, taking in the spectacular views as you begin your descent.
As always, please let me know if you try any of these routes. If you do, I hope you enjoy doing them as much as I did and feel great for the fresh air and exercise afterwards!
Bev Meakin – Exercise Referral Officer/ Personal Trainer and Complementary Therapist. Instagram @bevs_life