On Saturday 9th November 2019 a hardy bunch of 8 people completed the 9.20 mile Huncoat Trail in memory of Roy Chetham who passed away earlier this year. Roy devised the route of the Trail and helped make it popular with walking groups coming from all over the North West to complete it.
As you would expect in early November the weather was dank but the rain held off and it was a thoroughly enjoyable walk that we’d recommend.
The official walk starts from the Stocks but we decided to start from the Peace Garden over the road as it’s also the location of the new memorial stone dedicated to Roy which was created with help from Prospects and the Huncoat Forum.
We set off just after 10.00am and took in the quick loop up to the War Memorial which is just off Burnley Lane. Here you can take in wide views of the Ribble Valley to the north.
From the War Memorial we dropped back down to the stocks and then headed through to Spout House woodland. This is a woodland that was originally planted by Prospects in the mid-noughties and was then increased substantially in size by Hyndburn Borough Council a few years ago. There is a great footpath network throughout the new woodland leading down to the Bluebell Way housing estate. We passed through the estate to the level crossing on Station Road and then across on to the Pit Top Reserve. This is a Lancashire County Council reclamation site and is now a woodland with meadows and is excellent for wildlife. We carried on through the site and out the other end skirting the RSPCA buildings and over to the M65 motorway.
After crossing the footbridge it was then a short walk across fields to Clough Bank canal bridge and down on to the towpath of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.
We then headed eastwards for a couple of miles towards Hapton/Burnley, passing Altham Lane before leaving the canal at Shuttleworth. Then across more fields northwards to a remarkable piece of industrial heritage, the canal, motorway and railway line all together. It brings home how this area of east Lancashire has been key to industry the past few hundreds years.
Once over the railway line it was then up through Castle Clough Woods. What a lovely woodland. The Beech trees were a wonderful golden colour and the views down the steep drop into the Clough were breathtaking.
Again, the path through the woodland was boggy but obviously well used. We then crossed Mill Lane and through the redundant picnic site and car park and through more woodland and over streams and then up to more fields up to Burnley Road and across into Hameldon Woods. These are owned by United Utilities and are now in need of some TLC as the paths are scoured and trees are falling over.
Once up through the woods it’s out into the open again and high level pasture (Herst) up to Hameldon Scouts and the quarries. These are very distinct and the harsh skyline makes them noticeable for miles around. The views from up here are wonderful and rival many other beauty spots.
After a short lunch break it was on up to the top of the Scouts and we then skirted the summit round to Windy Harbour Farm and then on to the Kings Highway. Again, a local and ancient route of note. We then headed across a few fields and through snicks and over stiles to Slate Pits Farm and the A56 underpass.
Once through the underpass this brings you out above the lodges and once more fine views. A right turn and a couple of hundred yards later we were on the Coppice. We followed the footpath that runs alongside the A56 and then around the top of the Coppice to the monument where again there are fine views across Accrington. A few group photos and then we weaved our way down the Coppice past the bowling green car park and through to the Whitaker’s Arms on Burnley Road.
Then it was through the Cemetery to Within Grove and across Bolton Avenue and across fields to Spout House woodland and then up to the Stocks and the Peace Garden.
Overall, it took us 5 hours to walk the 9.20 miles, including a short lunch break and a few short stops to take in views.
It’s got almost everything you could want from a walk; hills, a canal, a railway crossing, lots of history, wildlife, lovely woodlands and lovely views.
We’ll be doing another walk in Summer 2020 with the Huncoat Forum and the aim is to keep the walk going, maybe reprint the leaflet and also maybe put together a small programme of improvements to the Trail itself make it even better.
Below are a selection of photos from the walk and also a short video clip of the view from Hameldon Scouts. Enjoy!
Despite the weather we had a successful walk around Whinney Hill to learn about Winter tree ID. Whinney Hill is one of the woodlands in our Hyndburn Woodlands Project and has an excellent circular walk with a wide variety of trees and views of the surrounding area. On todays walk we identified Hazel, Hawthorn, Blackthorn, Guelder Rose, Whitebeam, Aspen, Alder, Oak, Silver Birch, Willow and Spindle. We run regular volunteering sessions in the woods and will also be holding more walks and training courses in the New Year. For more information contact Roger Plum at roger.plum@prospectsfoundation.org.uk or on 01254 230348. All activities are sent on our mailing list so if you’re not already on it sign up to get details of all upcoming events.
