Bacup Circular

alec jackson

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This walk has two high points rather than the usual one. The walk can be split into three sections as follows:

Section 1) It starts in Bacup which has easy access for both driving and public transport. It passes three plaques and a small square showing some of the history of Bacup before climbing out of town and up to the border with Yorkshire past an old tollhouse. There are views back down the valley towards Bacup on this section.

Section 2) The second section follows The Rossendale Way past an old barn and the remains of an old sandstone quarry. Parts of this section can be quite muddy, especially the section near Heald Top Farm. There are reminders of old places of worship and also of the industrial heritage of the area i.e. stone quarrying, providing plenty of interest for every walker even on less bright days. The walk then leaves The Rossendale Way. There are excellent views of the surrounding area along this section.

Section 3) After leaving The Rossendale Way the walk return to Bacup via the old route from Burnley to Rochdale. It then goes along a track, which can be muddy in the middle section, past part of the Irwell Sculpture Trail, returning to the start point via several urban roads. There are excellent views across the valley to the way you have just come.

You will pass the upper reaches of the River Irwell.

England - North England - Lancashire - Countryside