Horrocks Fold - Winter Hill Circular

Robin Heap

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Commencing with a walk through a disused quarry, the terrain is then mainly narrow moorland paths which undulate over the Whimberry Hills and Egg Hillock to reach the waterfalls and wells of Shaly Dingle. A gradual climb alongside a moorland stream gives access to the main track up the eastern side of Winter Hill. The outward section provides spectacular views across Eagley Brook and Belmont Valley towards Turton Heights, Holcombe Tower, Darwen Tower, Pendle Hill and beyond on clear days. Telecommunication aerials, masts and other equipment decorate the summit of Winter Hill. The return path follows the south-western slopes of Smithills Moor and provides encounters with a disused shooting hut and unnamed moorland lake as well as views across Bolton, Manchester and the Cheshire Plain. Finally, skirting the quarry will give easy acess to The Wilton Arms for refreshment.

England - North England - Lancashire - West Pennine Moors

Features

Great Views, Hills or Fells, Industrial Archaeology, Lake/Loch, Moor, Pub, Public Transport, Waterfall, Wildlife

24/07/2014 - Mark Ziprin

Wonderful on a summer's evening as far as Daly Dingle. From there a forest of ferns 7-8ft high obscured the footpath onwards. I tried to follow it up out of Daly Dingle, got lost in the ferns above, tried to find my way back to the streams and fell down the hidden steep slope. The only way onwards was to follow the stream up hill towards Winter Hill and try to cut across the moor to the path going up from the main road to the masts at Winter Hill. It took me a long time of falling into ditches/down holes to reach the path so I gave up, walked to the main road and back to the car - over 2.5 hours just to do this! I was exhausted. From the path (road to masts) I could find no sign of any tracks coming the way shown on the map and can only guess that it has been long overgrown. It was great over Whimberry Hill to Daly Dingle but the next bit needs clarifying please as I would like to do the whole route sometime.

10/02/2011 - geoff taylor

I did this walk 05/02/2011 in pouring rain & the cloud cover was very low. Despite the weather it was a great walk, the directions were spot on and very helpful. Will walk it again soon when the sun is out to get the views.

28/11/2010 - Craig Wetherall

We lost our way on this walk around point 8 or 9... and accidentally got back onto the route, going backwards through the instructions later on, and then lost it again a bit later on... which is a shame because it is nice up top with some really good views.