Use the links below to go to any walk.. These links appear on all the walk pages.
If you find our details are incorrect do let us know and we will make appropriate alterations.
We do not make any guarantees regarding these walks. Your safety and where you walk is your responsibility.
We will soon add downloadable pages for each walk. They will be in word.doc and PDF formats.
Eccleston, Heskin & Harrock Hill from Mawdesley
Rufford and Croston from Mawdesley
Mere Sands, Martin Mere & Burscough from Rufford
The Yarrow and Lostock Valleys from Croston
Harrock Hill & Fairy Glen from Parbold
Use any of the above links to go to the walk of your choice.
INTRODUCTION
Mawdesley and its neighbouring villages are well placed for lovers
of the countryside. To the east rises the Upholland Ridge, a low millstone
grit outcrop barely 500 feet high, of which Harrock Hill, Parbold
Hill and Ashurst Beacon form part. Nearer the village the underlying
soil changes to glacial clays and then to the now drained peaty mosslands
before turning to sand as we approach the coast. This gives rise to
a wide range of landscape types within a very short distance. The
area is criss-crossed by a network of footpaths, most of which are
well marked and well used. With careful planning it is possible to
find easy walking to suit all tastes without overdependence on a car.
The walks described in this booklet are circular walks which I have
enjoyed doing and which I want to share with you, the reader. They
not intended to be a definitive list of possibilities, indeed there
are many possible variations and extensions. there are 47 footpaths
marked on the Parish Council map, I have included 29 of these in the
walks around the parish. In order to do so I have deliberately included
different routes on several of the walks; if you have a particular
favourite, please feel free to 'mix and match' in order to achieve
what you want.. If by setting them down i encourage others to get
out and enjoy our countryside then I will be content.
The directions
and the sketch map which accompanies each walk should be sufficient
to ensure that you do not go astray, but I would recommend that you
take along the appropriate OS map, preferably the 1:25000 Pathfinder
series (No 699, Burscough Bridge & Chorley, and 711, Ormskirk and
Wigan , cover all the area). Not only will this help .should you wish
to cut a walk short for any reason, but maps make a walk more interesting
because they enable you to identify many of the features around. I
have tried to include comment on some of' the interesting buildings
etc. that you pass en route, these are of necessity brief. Because
the walks cover a limited area some of these points of interest are
met on more than one walk; to avoid duplication I found it convenient
to list these in an appendix. For those interested the local libraries
have a good selection of books on local history.
I researched
these walks in the winter of 1993-94 during the wettest months hence
some of my comments about mud may be a little pessimistic. However,
since the routes are as far as possible off the road, be prepared
for wet or muddy patches particularly after a rainy spell; good shoes
or preferably boots are essential. The walks follow public rights
of way but inevitably they cross farmland and other property, please
act responsibly. Keep your dog under control, close gates if appropriate
and stay on the footpath.
Whilst every effort
has been made by the author to ensure that the routes described are
legal rights of way, no liability or responsibility can be accepted
for errors therein or for the actions of those trying to follow the
routes given.