If you have never been to Hurst Green, we are looking forward to introducing you to a popular area for Rambling, especially in the Autumn with its woodland colours. There are three established trails as well as many other paths; The Ribble Way, the Ribble Jubilee Trail and the Tolkien Trail – showing where Tolkien may have got some of his inspiration for the Lord of the Rings trilogy. All three walks will be using one or more of those trails. Added to which is the impressive 432 year old Stonyhurst College where Tolkien was staying while writing his books. Past pupils included Arthur Conan Doyle and Benedict Cumberbatch.
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The 'A' walk will be led by Andy and is approximately 12 miles and 1800 feet at most.
The walk begins in Hurst Green and picks up the Ribble Valley Jubilee Trail. This takes us to the southern flanks of Longridge Fell where we then head towards Jeffrey Hill and a hidden cairn with wonderful views of Parlick and Fair Snape Fell (a great lunch spot!). We then take in the trig point (1149 feet) before picking up a good forestry track which takes us through the eastern plantation of largely coniferous trees. After dropping down to the road we head across fields (and through someone’s back garden) to reach Stonyhurst College where if one is lucky, they may find a bench to sit on to survey the scene. The last stage of the walk takes in a section of the River Ribble before reaching Hurst Green.
The 'B' walk will be led by John & Linda and is approximately 9 – 9 ½ miles and 1000 feet.
The route starts in a north easterly direction following paths to Stonyhurst College & Observatories. We continue passing St. Mary’s Hall and onto Over Hacking Farm & Kemple End. Here we turn east to Rydding’s Farm & descend to the River Hodder, where we hope to stop for lunch. From this point the route is northwards crossing Higher Hodder Bridge and then turning south east through fields, woods & a short road walk (walking on verge) to cross Lower Hodder Bridge. We then go south on part of the Tolkien Trail & then west alongside the River Hodder on the Ribble Way, eventually turning to ascend through fields back into Hurst Green.
The 'C' walk will be led by David and is approximately 6 miles and 600 feet.
Starting in Hurst Green, the first 3 miles is a gentle ascent of 600 feet to Hare Hill on Longridge Fell. We walk up the drive to Stonyhurst College, and then take lanes and fields to reach the eastern end of Longridge Fell and up to Hare Hill, our highest point. Our return is following a beautiful section of the Ribble Valley Jubilee Trail back into Hurst Green.
Longridge Fell
