2023 has been one of the wettest summers I remember, and as such has not been the greatest weather for enjoying walking. I like to think that I am a very positive person, and I am usually the first to pull on my waterproofs and get out there, but day after day and week after week of autumnal rain in June and July did start to get even me down. So, as soon as the forecast promised an upturn for a few days in August, I was thinking about where to go.
Back in the Autumn of 2022 we walked up to the top of Longridge Fell, hoping to enjoy the expansive views across the Forest of Bowland. It was not to be, as the mist closed in and we could see no further than a few metres in front of us.
We set off today, more hopeful and with a spring in our step, a little giddy at the sight of blue sky - something we have recently been deprived of.
Longridge Fell is the most southerly Fell in England and lies at the southern edge of the Forest of Bowland. It's long ridge rises steadily in a north-easterly direction, from within the market town of Longridge, to its summit four and a half miles away. As the ridge curves towards the east, it comes to a sudden end and drops into the Hodder Valley, providing the determined hiker with a well earned reward that is the view over this area of outstanding natural beauty.
We left the car just outside of Hurst Green, a pretty village in the Ribble Valley, and walked north west towards Longridge.
Crossing the old Clitheroe Road, we took a moderately challenging nine mile circular route heading uphill first, winding through the managed forest.
As the land levelled out, we entered the older forest towards the summit, leaving the path often to avoid fallen trees and boggy ground. We picked our way through the dense, dark and eerily silent rows of evergreens noting the absence of any birdsong. Keeping the wall to our left as a marker, we passed moss covered tree trunks and swamp-like ground cover as we used rocks as stepping stones and the growing pinpoint of light to navigate our way out of the woods, feeling like Hansel and Gretal escaping the witch.
Exiting the forest, we were met with a splendid sight; purple flowering heather as far as the eye could see, its heady fragrance and glorious colour stretching out in front of us and completely carpeting the top of the ridge.
We made our way along the footpath to the trig point, drinking in the views that had been cruelly hidden by the mists on our last visit.
Far and wide, the stunning views stretched out to the Fylde Coast, taking in the Vale of Chipping, the hills of the Forest of Bowland, the Yorkshire Dales and even the Lake District fells in the distance.
The colours of the landscape, from the purple of the heathers and emerald green of the sun-kissed valley, to the dark blues of the distant hills, the glistening sea on the horizon and the glorious cornflower blue of the sky with its dancing white clouds, all combined to paint the perfect picture. It's hard to imagine a prettier view.
With the walk along the ridge providing ample opportunity for drinking in the views, we kept moving, encouraged by the chill wind. Reaching the edge of the ridge, we began to make our way downhill across moorland, past windswept trees and finally across boggy fields until we were returned to the lower foothills and the old Clitheroe Road.
The final stretch took us along lanes and across farmland before rejoining the footpath which led back towards Hurst Green.
I am so glad that we returned to Longridge Fell as the view surpassed any I had imagined. For a wet summer, it wasn't a bad day and this time the mists stayed away to leave us with a clear sky and those sparkling views making it well worth the walk.
Comments