~Thieveley Pike~
30th April 2016
The Summit
Scroll down for photos and a description of the walk....
Towneley Hall
Today's walk is another local one with the target being another of the fells that overlook Burnley and other East Lancashire towns. Parking at no charge on Todmorden Road at the top end of Towneley Park, Molly and me went through the woods to Towneley Hall and then across the playing fields to take the public footpath to Walk Mill, Cliviger.
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Towneley Playing Fields |
Looking to Pendle |
The walk started at 07:15hrs. I might have gone to the Lakes today but I just didn't fancy the drive and so opted for another local walk - just 10 minutes drive from our Burnley home.
Park Road
The proud residents of Cliviger have several information boards in situ. One tells of old buildings and industries in this area of Walk Mill. This terrace was built in 1912.
Under The Railway
The archway has been lowered and the sides supported with concrete beams, perhaps it was deemed in danger of collapse.
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"Burnley Way" |
Stone House Fold on Dyneley Lane |
I don't wish to mislead anyone - the walk up from Walk Mill is at best, unpleasant underfoot with quite a few squelches along the way. But the views open up; the day hasn't got going yet and the sky is an annoying shade of grey.
Pennine Bridleway
From Stone House, it's up the hill along the "Pennine Bridleway" and above the valley of Easden Clough to pass Cow Side Farm and then meet the A671 Burnley to Bacup road.
Cow House
A wintry shower did little to raise my spirits. It's amazing how many wet snowdrops can complete their crazy journeys by going down the back of my neck!
A671
An old track (left) suggests that the modern road is following a new course. Walkers will notice bits of cars and damaged sections of fencing along this short stretch of roadwalking. I find that in general, keep your tyres in good nick and at the right pressure and drive according to the conditions and the tarmac will work with you to keep your the car where it should be - the white lines are a guide for those who have difficulty seeing the road's edges.
Weir War Memorial
A grand setting on Deerplay Hill for the memorial to those from Weir who lost their lives in the 1914-18 war. It is here that we left the road for the access land that leads to the top of Thieveley Pike.
Deerplay
The building beyond the farm used to be a pub - The Deerplay Inn, that is not unusual is it? A trudge across some boggy hinterland on Deerplay Moor and the path to Thieveley Pike summit is gained, with fine views to the north and west.
Pendle Hill & Burnley
The town of Burnley nestles between us and Pendle Hill. Local walkers (with dogs or not) have plenty of options!
West View
Hameldon Hill, over to the west is 50 metres less high than Thieveley Pike, whatever that is in English. Divide by 11, multiply by 12 and times by three to get the "feet" difference, if you have the time. I haven't. It's lower than we are.
Molly - Thieveley Pike 1,474ft asl
It's Molly's first time up here. No sound but the wind and the occasional passing aircraft.
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Boulsworth Hill |
Meadow Pipit |
The distant hill is Boulsworth where we were last Saturday; the coy bird is probably a Meadow Pipit.
Thieveley Pike Summit
I have a simple ambition most weekends and that is simply "to get to the top of something", hence "summiteer". Occasionally it's nothing more than a set of stepladders, but generally I get to the summit of a fantastic fell or a mighty mountain, or maybe just a humble hill. It's what I do; if you collect beetles, beermats or bus numbers - that's fine.
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Molly tries to hide when it's her turn, but she doesn't quite understand the game yet. Parts of Cliviger come into view as we head off the hill - a large shower cloud is somewhere around Colne.
We're just one win away from a return to the Premier League! (conditions apply) correct at the time of writing.
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Buckley Wood |
Holme Tunnel |
Many of the trees of Buckley Wood were planted at the turn of the century and are doing well; Holme Tunnel was recently re-lined and reinforced to counter the forces of nature and gravity. I'm sure it's moved a bit, either that or I'm stood in a different place to last time ;-)
Favourite View
One of my favourite views - width, depth, railway, history, a fine fell, my home town and even some blue sky.
Walk Mill
Towneley Hall
Walkers: Molly and Me
Time taken: 5 hours 30 minutes over a distance of about 8 miles; time includes cafe time at Towneley.
Weather: Cool and wintry early on. Improving to sunny with one shower at the end.
Refreshments: Light refreshments at The Stables, Towneley. Dog walkers can sit outside, which is OK - but nearly everytime I get there, the same party of walkers / smokers with their wandering dog occupy one of the tables. Dogs should be on the lead and these folk should have the decency not to smoke whilst others are eating and drinking. They annoy me! Food's OK.
Greetings: You won't need to doff your cap on Thieveley Pike.
Recently...
Thieveley Scout
Taken from Harle Syke, Burnley at 06:25hrs on Wednesday 26th April. Not every hill can boast a notable post-glacial landscape, but the northerly aspect of Thieveley Pike shows the scars where the glacier(s) cut a deeper valley and left the hanging valleys and truncated spurs.
All photos copyright Richard Ratcliffe 2016 ©
Take me back to the start ....