With gyms and leisure facilities still being closed and (hopefully) some warmer weather on the way (or more beautiful snow, you never know), what better way to get active this lockdown than to get outdoors and explore our beautiful local area?! This blog details 2 scenic walks up to The Haslingden Halo in Rossendale for you to try if you want to explore new routes and boost your health in the process.
Walk 1 – This walk is approximately 1km and 20 minutes each way. Allow a little longer than 40 minutes if you want to take in views at the top and get some photos. This walk is steep in parts and covers both roads and grassy tracks and fields. It starts from the big lamp in Deardengate – if you’re unsure where this is, head to the main street and walk up to the top. We did this walk on a Sunday so parking on the main street was free and unlimited but there are restrictions on other days so please check these.
To start the walk, head up Church Street (pictured below) which is opposite the lamp and stay on the right hand pavement.
Follow the road up the hill and after the second bend you will see some bollards. Cross the road here and head up the hill to the side of the row of cottages which is called Rock Hall Road. Continue along this path until it rejoins the main road where you will see a building to your left. Turn left after this building where you will pass through a gate and follow the public footpath signs. This takes you up a fairly steep, grassy track (pictured below in the snow!) to another kissing gate at the top.
Turn left on this narrow path (Cribden Byway) and after a few metres you will cross over a quiet road. The entrance to Top o’ Slate is on the left and just a few metres up another small hill you will see the impressive Halo construction. You can wander around taking in the views and get some great photos before heading back by the same route. The area at the top is fairly flat and away from roads and so children and well behaved dogs could have a play here!
Walk 2 – This walk is approximately 2km and 45 minutes each way. It follows clear paths and covers roads, rougher terrain and grassland and approaches Top o’ Slate from the back. Parking on Winfields car park where the walk starts is for customers only and please note that the car park is locked when the store is closed.
From the northern end of Winfelds car park (the end near the buildings), follow the path (pictured below) up the hill opposite the camping/outdoor supplies building for approximately 70m.
You will pass some houses on the right and go through a gate to meet the King’s Highway, a narrow road. Turn right and follow the road down past Top o’ th’ Bank Farm, turning left just past here up the next track which is signposted only with a small blue circle on a fence post (see below).
Follow this track up the hill until you meet the road and turn right. Following this road you will pass a sign for a Scout hut and some houses to the left and then Greenhouse Farm Nursery and Forest school which are both signposted. Cross over the next road (you will see the household recycling centre to the left) and continue straight on along the path that runs alongside the stream (see below). The dog is not a natural feature!
Follow this path uphill and cross over the stream. At the next fork stay on the left hand path. As you can see below, if you take a dog they will stare disapprovingly at this point if you keep taking photos to document your route!
From here, continue to the top of the hill where you should soon see a clear view of The Halo to your right. Continue along the path and then drop down to see the entrance to Top o’ Slate on the right. You can head down via the same route and can extend the walk to cover the area around The Halo if you wish to.
Both of these walks offer some great photo opportunities on route and at the top and have some impressive scenic views along the way. I hope you find these guides useful and feel inspired to get out and see somewhere new. Exercising outdoors has numerous benefits for our mental and physical health and is a great addition to our exercise plans at this time more than ever before. Give a local walk ago and your body and brain will thank you for it!
Bev Meakin – Personal Trainer/ Exercise Referral Officer and Complementary Therapist. Instagram – @bevs_life