12 Intrepid ramblers set out from the Spread Eagle Inn on Thursday to walk the 6 mile circular trail to Beacon Hill. The day turned out to be one where we encountered all four seasons in one day including a fierce wind at the trig point that threatened to blow us over the edge……needless to say we didn’t linger long!
The route took us through several farm yards where we braved the barking, but thankfully, chained up dogs, and through several gardens where the bemused occupants looked out from their cosy houses with pity on the mud spattered bedraggled group yomping on the footpaths across their property. Following some steep tracks we ascended up to the trig point of Beacon hill, using a track aptly named Shivering Ginnel, through a plantation of very immature trees. Once at the top we had some great views across into Lancashire with the iconic Pendle Hill being visible through the rain, and further on to the Yorkshire Dales, Bowland Fells and the Ribble Valley.
It wouldn’t have been a normal ramble if we didn’t encounter mud, and as can be seen from the photos there was plenty of it! However this paled into insignificance when we realised that Alan had neglected to tell us about the stiles, which were of various levels of disrepair and danger that were on our route! I lost count at 17 and there were plenty more than that, several of which needed our “wingmen” John and Ralph, to give more than a helping hand for many of us to get over. The final one was mounted with a cheer as Alan sheepishly said…that really was the last one! From here we walked through yet another wooded ghyll down to a ” supposedly” private road, to return to the village for lunch and drinks at the pub. Thanks to Alan for leading the ramble but not for the stiles!!