Route info
Starting postcode | PR3 2TT |
Nearest pub | Inn at Whitewell |
Stay over | Inn at Whitewell |
Distance | 3 miles |
Low point | 270 metres |
High point | 350 metres |
Total ascent | 95 metres |
Calories estimate | 500 |
Steps | 6,000 |
Cows | Not |
OK for dogs | On leads |
Bogs | Minor. Can get muddy in winter. |
Difficulty | Easy |
Nearby walk
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Route description
Today we took our last summer walk up to Spire Hill trig point, known collectively as Longridge Fell. I and my partner Jo met with my youngest, Dan, and we parked up at the Jeffrey Hill car park. Sometimes I park a little further down the road and amend the route slightly, but today we chose the classic route, known to many.
As you head through the gate next to the car park, the route ascends gently up the fell. There are usually sheep here so dogs must be kept on the lead.
As we approached Thornley Hall Fell we were treated to wonderful views of the purple heather. I always try to do this walk around this time of year because it looks fantastic.
Take a right here and head up to the drystone wall, and the turn left once at the wall. Follow the track through the heather, which leads all the way to Spire Hill trig point. It’s about 15 minutes to reach the top.
Once reaching the trig we had a little break and took some photos before climbing the wall and walking back along the other side. Soon after we reached a gate and track leading into the trees. There’s a muddy track here popular with bikers, so we headed down here before reaching the forest tracks.
Our next path isn’t really marked on the OS map so you have to look carefully to the right, but it is fairly easy to pick up. We visited in lovely dry weather but off memory it can be a little muddy in continual wet weather.
After a short while the track meets the more traditional and easy to be seen path on the edge of the plantation. Follow this for a little while and as it bends to the right the same drystone wall from earlier comes into view.
Here we picked up the same path that we came over earlier but there is an option to follow the wall to the left, where it descends to the same road that Jeffrey Hill car park is on. But today we chose to retrace our steps back to the car.
Our last summer’s walk on Longridge Fell was a lovely afternoon and we’re looking forward to hopefully going back in the winter months.