Lovely country walk through ‘forgotten’ dale of Lothersdale

I DISCOVERED Lothersdale whilst working in nearby Earby. It is a lovely, forgotten dale with an excellent short walk climbing to the trig point of Pinhaw Beacon. The views are wide ranging, interesting in particular north towards the 3 Peaks.

Lothersdale is a long, deep valley with the central village towards the eastern end. Whether you enter from the east or the west, head for the Hare and Hounds inn.

Park near the pub and head west for 100 metres until a signpost directs you left, uphill and on to the Pennine Way.

The Pennine Way leads all the way to the summit of Pinhaw Beacon and is therefore well signposted and generally easy to follow. The path climbs steeply out of Lothersdale.

After passing through a gate turn left (still uphill) and keep close to the fence/wall. The path at this stage is faint or non-existent on the ground so stick close to the fence, which turns in to a wall. After crossing a small stream there is a stile leading left, cross the field and emerge at a lane.

Cross the lane and carry on up the farm track initially. Past the farm the track becomes more of a path, crosses a stile and then take a sharp left alongside the boundary. Over another stile and the scenery takes an immediate turn for the better (at least in my opinion). This is open moorland, the path is good (paved in places due to being on the Pennine Way) and after continuing west for half a mile leads to the smart trig of Pinhaw Beacon. The views from here are excellent.

To the north are the Yorkshire Dales, on a good day all 3 Peaks can be seen, turning to the west the Forest of Bowland is in the foreground with the sea a distance beyond (on a clear day).

More walks:

Before you reach the trig take a few minutes to try and locate a small gravestone and inscription where Robert Wilson, a brave local man, died in 1805. Robert and his two companions had been sent up to the Beacon to watch for a warning from the nearby beacon at Colne for a sign of the invasion of Napoleon. On one cold winter day Robert set out to get supplies but never returned. His body was found within 200 metres of the hut and there lies a small stone to signify where he met his end.

Pinhaw Beacon

From the summit follow the Pennine Way for a further 250 metres south west before taking the south path from the corner of a wall. Leave the Pennine Way which heads north. Follow the wall for a few meters, bear left and head for a stile out of the moors and back in to farmland.

Drop steeply towards Calf Head Farm and then follow the lane east and then steeply downhill which brings you out near Knott Barn. A footpath skirts the cluster of buildings next to a stream (on its east bank) before opening out on to a series of fields). Continue down through the fields before a slight detour to the east brings you to a bridge and the welcoming sign of the Hare and Hounds pub.

On the final few hundred metres of the descent Lothersdale, the full dale, is spread out impressively in front of you.

Fact file:

Lothersdale map

Distance: Roughly four miles.

Height to Climb: 195m (645 feet)

Start: SD 960461. There is roadside parking near the pub.

Difficulty: Medium. The walk is short but the first mile is steep. The return through the fields needs some careful map work as the paths barely exist on the ground. Where the path is intermittent look for stiles/gates which mark the way.

Refreshments: The Hare and Hounds in Lothersdale is very good.

Be Prepared: The route description and sketch map only provide a guide to the walk. You must take out and be able to read a map (O/S Explorer OL21) and in cloudy/misty conditions a compass. You must also wear the correct clothing and footwear for the outdoors. Whilst every effort is made to provide accurate information, walkers head out at their own risk.