Rivington Pike, Lancashire

Tue, 2013 Aug 13 12:55 PM British Summer Time

Led by Mike. With Eddie, Gordon, Barry, Maureen and me. Fine and dry after a wet morning. 1 162 feet of climbing, 10 miles walking.  Max elevation 1 283 - on the ridge.

After breakfast the weather looked distinctly unfriendly, so we headed for the town centre, picked up some provisions from Booths, and wandered round the market. 

Still the weather gods were not smiling. OK, a garden centre/emporium/café visit could do the trick. 

Eddie claims his bench, Maureen claims an Eddie

Soon after midday the clouds lifted and the downpour stopped.  Time to head for the hills.  We park at the Great House Barn, with its café and the Go Ape treetop adventure park.

This is as Ape as we're Going  today

We walk alongside Lower Rivington Reservoir, cross to the upper reservoir. We walk on the west and north sides of Yarrow reservoir, gradually gaining some height.

 We head east and make a small detour to visit the Wellington Bomber Memorial

In memory of  six airmen killed when a Wellington bomber 

crashed on these moors on Nov 12th 1943

Back down to Lead Mines Clough, and a steady climb along track and footpath. 

It gets boggy near the top, until we reach the magnificent flagstone causeway at the highest point of the ridge.   We turn sharply to the right and head more or less south toward Rivington Road. When the flagstones stop we follow the wall downhill. 

A quick break - I'm ready for those sandwiches now! 

We reach the road and turn right for a short distance before turning off to the left along Georges Road - for some reason I didn't take photos of the surface! One of the least comfortable underfoot, anywhere.  
This takes us gently round to the Pigeon Tower, at the top of the Terraced Gardens, designed by Thomas Mawson in the 1920s, for Lord William Leverhulme of soap and Port Sunlight fame.

The Pigeon Tower

A brief exploration and off we go towards the tower on the Pike itself. 

Winter Hill, not too far away is higher, but the views from the Pike are well worth the climb, even though they are a little hazy.

From here it's all downhill.  First the gardens and their ruins and lake.

Then down through the woods, past Rivington Hall and Barn, and on to the car park. 

For a couple of us, a turn round the car park brings the total mileage to over ten. Whatever can be measured will be measured even unto the point of meaninglessness? 

A fine walk, with a real "hill" feel.  A bonus - we found a few bilberries.

Map and details

We get back and have time to change and go out for our meal to celebrate Gordon's approaching special birthday.