Gay Outdoor Club: Transpennine Walks 2008

Contact details for Transpennine Group

Saturday 5 January 2008. Cheshire. Sandbach. 6½ miles winter's walk. Meet in cobbled square in Sandbach Town Centre. Bring packed lunch.

Sunday 13 January. Lancashire. Rivington. Meet at Rivington Village Green for an easy 8 mile walk around reservoirs.

Sunday 20 January. Peak District, Derbyshire. Start from Chinley railway station car park. About 8 hilly miles.

Saturday 2 February. Cheshire. The River Dee, Chester and the Duke's Drive. About 6 miles. A gentle walk along the Dee with interesting riverside views of the city. This is a similar walk to that taken by the North Wales Group in November. Meet at Eccleston Ferry. From the A483 take the B5445 and then, after only a few yards, turn left to Eccleston. After going under a bridge, turn right at the fork near the church in the village, then left to parking beside the river. Bring a packed lunch.

Sunday 3 February. Calderdale, West Yorkshire. Joint walk with the local LGBT Network. Meet at Sowerby Bridge railway station for a 6 mile walk including part of the Calderdale Way.

Sunday 10 February. Lancashire. Hurstwood and Widdop - A 10½ mile moorland walk visiting 5 reservoirs. Meet at Hurstwood picnic area 3 miles east of Burnley. Packed lunch required.

Sunday 17 February. Derbyshire, Peak District. A short 6 mile winter walk from Litton village centre, near Tideswell. Meet outside the Red Lion pub in Litton.

Friday 22 - Sunday 24 February. Snowdonia, North Wales. Weekend at Snowdon Ranger Youth Hostel, by Llyn Cwellyn on A4085 between Beddgelert and Caernarfon. Contact co-ordinator then book direct with the hostel on 08707 706038.

Saturday 1 March. The Wirral. A 7 mile walk including Royden Park, West Kirby & Thurstaston on the Dee Estuary. Easy to moderate grade. Meet in Wirral Country Park car park off Station Road (the old Thurstaston railway station).

Sunday 9 March. Peak District. Meet in the village car park in Castleton for this 8 mile walk taking in Lose Hill.

Sunday 16 March. Lancashire. Walk from the visitor centre car park on the dam (north-east) side of Hollingworth Lake, Smithy Bridge (signed from A58).

Friday 21 - Monday 24 March. Joint Easter Weekend with GOC Scotland at Ninebanks YH. Communal evening meals. The hostel is now fully booked, but check with co-ordinator in case of any cancellations.

Sunday 30th March. West Yorkshire. North-east of Otley. Meet at Lindley Wood Bridge, east of Lindley Wood reservoir for a 7 mile walk with wonderful views.

Saturday 5 April. Lamaload. Meet at the car park at Trentabank Reservoir, Macclesfield Forest for a 7 mile walk. Please bring a packed lunch. From Langley follow the Macclesfield Forest signs and then turn right at the Leather Smithy to get to the car park.

Friday 11 - Sunday 13 April. Forest of Bowland, Lancashire. A weekend at Slaidburn Youth Hostel. Book direct with the hostel on 0870 770 6034.

Thursday 17 April. West Yorkshire. Evening walk in west Leeds with a pub afterwards. Meet at the Beaulah pub on Tong road, near Farnley Hall between Leeds and Bradford.

Saturday 19 April. Cheshire. Helsby Hill. A 5-6 mile circular walk with views of North Wales and Liverpool. Meet in Helsby railway station car park, off Chester Road, near Frodsham. Bring a packed lunch. As there are some fairly steep gradients and it may be muddy, appropriate footwear is advisable. Directions: from Manchester leave M56 at Junction 12; from Chester leave M56 at Junction 14, turn right onto A5117, and then left onto A56. N.B. there is no Junction 13!

Saturday 19 April. Derbyshire, Peak District. Start from Tissington (north of Ashbourne off A515). Meet outside Tissington Hall. 8 mile walk.

Sunday 20 April. Nidderdale, North Yorkshire. The Crackpots Mosaic Trail, 7 miles, in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The Trail is waymarked by 22 locally created mosaic panels (1997). Meet at the parking area near Tom Corner west of Kirkby Malzeard, reached via Swetton going towards Potter Lane House.

Sunday 27 April. Peak District, Derbyshire. Start from Hulme End car park in the Manifold Valley near Hartington.

Thursday 1 May. West Yorkshire. An evening walk north-east of Leeds. Meet at the Duke of Wellington pub in East Keswick (off the A58 Wetherby Road). Lovely views down Wharfedale. Pub afterwards.

Friday 2 - Monday 5 May. Lake District weekend at Wasdale Youth Hostel. OS89 ref. NY145045. Check availability of pre-booked places with co-ordinator. Youth Hostel is on 0870 770 6082.

Saturday 3 May. Cheshire. From Acton Mill to Longacre Wood. A gentle 7-mile ramble including stretches of the River Weaver and the Trent Mersey Canal at bluebell time. Meet in the lay-by on the B5153 half a mile west of Acton Bridge Station. Bring packed lunch.

Saturday 10 May. Todmorden, West Yorkshire. Inchfield Moor and Watergrove Reservoir. Meet outside Todmorden railway station for an 8 mile walk straddling the Yorkshire / Lancashire border.

Sunday 11 May. North Yorkshire. A Wharfedale Panorama. Park and start in Draughton, off the A65 trunk road, and walk to Barden and then through the Bolton Abbey estate. 11 miles.

Sunday 18 May. Peak District, Derbyshire. Bamford Edge & Redmires reservoir. 10 miles using the new 'right to roam' route, much loved by the rock climbers. Meet at Heatherdene car park, which is on the A6013 going towards Bamford, just ¼ mile south of the traffic lights at the junction with the A57 Glossop - Sheffield (Snake) road. Tea & cake afterwards.

Friday 23 - Monday 26 May. Yorkshire Dales, Camping at Low Whita farm in Swaledale.

Sunday 25 May - Sunday 1 June. Rafting in the USA. 3 days on the Green River followed by 4 days on the Colorado River. More details

Thursday 29 May. West Yorkshire, Otley area. Meet at The Black Horse pub in Askwith, between Otley and Ilkley, for a walk with some lovely views. Pub afterwards. This walk was postponed last June due to heavy rain.

Saturday 31 May. Greater Manchester. Dunham Massey, a National Trust property south-west of Altrincham. Meet at the NT kiosk at the edge of the car park on the way to the grounds. Walk in Dunham Park, lunch in the restaurant, followed by a walk round the gardens and afternoon tea. Join us for part of the day if you wish.

Saturday 7 June. Cheshire. Tatton Park Circular. 7 miles. Meet on Mereheath Lane (off B5083), Knutsford, near the entrance to Knutsford Golf Club. Please park on opposite side of road to the houses. Packed lunch required. Tea after the walk. For further details of Tatton Park and a street map of Knutsford please visit

Thursday 12 June. West Yorkshire, north of Leeds. Meet at the New Inn pub in Eccup. Pub afterwards.

Friday 13 - Sunday 15 June. Nottinghamshire. Weekend walking and cycling in Sherwood Forest and Clumber Park. Camp or stay at the Redbrick House Hotel, Peafield Lane, Mansfield Woodhouse, Notts. NG20 0EW, tel 01623 846499. This is a very popular area. Please book in advance directly with the hotel. If camping, please say you are part of John's party to get adjacent pitches. No deposit is required; the cost is £7.50pppn. The camp site is at the back of the hotel. There will be options for road cycling, off-road cycling and walking.

Wednesday 18 June. West Yorkshire. Newlay, Horsforth. Meet at the Abbey Inn next to the railway for a canal, river and woodland walk taking in Kirkstall Abbey. About 5 miles.

Sunday 22 June. Peak District. Strines Circular, 10 miles, with picnic stops on the way via Bluebell woods and High and Low Bradfield Villages. Start from the parking area a short distance north of Strines Inn which is on Mortimer Road, and is signposted from the A57 Glossop to Sheffield road. Travelling east on A57, take the first left about two miles beyond the traffic lights at the Ladybower reservoir. The inn is two miles after turning left. Beyond the inn the road dips and the parking area is on the left at the bottom of the dip. Tea & cake afterwards.

Friday 27 June. Hartshead, West Yorkshire. An evening walk following in the footsteps of Robin Hood and Charlotte Bronte and with views over Castle Hill, Huddersfield. Meet at The Star pub in Roberttown, just off the A62 between Liversedge and Mirfield. If you leave the M62 at jct. 25, follow Huddersfield sign, then turn left on A62. Take first left to Roberttown at the White Gate pub. The Star is about ¾ mile on the right with a car park behind. Have a drink afterwards.

Friday 4 - Sunday 6 July. North York Moors. Camping weekend at Abbots House Farm, Goathland. The camp site is located from the east end of Goathland by turning south by the pub opposite Goathland Garage. No booking required.

Saturday 5 July. Cheshire, Shutlingsloe, near Macclesfield. A 6 mile walk starting from Trentabank Reservoir car park, Macclesfield Forest. Please bring packed lunch. From Langley follow the Macclesfield Forest signs and then turn sharp right at the Leather Smithy for the car park.

Saturday 12 July. North Yorkshire. Boroughbridge to Ripon, following the River Ure and Ripon Canal, returning by bus. About 10 miles. Meet in Boroughbridge market square.

Saturday 19 July. Peak District, Derbyshire. The traditional Ladybower barbecue.

Sunday 20 July. Baslow, Derbyshire. Start from Baslow car park. 10 miles, looking at some of the stoops of Big Moor. Tea and cake afterwards.

Thursday 24 July. West Yorkshire evening walk. A pleasant meander over the verdant pastures around Norwood Green fortified by home made biscuits. Meet at the Old White Bear pub in the village, off the A58 between Halifax and jct. 26 on M62. Pub afterwards.

Sunday 27 July. Yorkshire Dales. An old favourite. A 12 mile circular walk from Kettlewell to Buckden Pike with some smashing views of Upper Wharfedale. Meet in Kettlewell car park (behind the petrol station). Please bring a packed lunch.

Friday 1 - Monday 4 August. Worcester Annual Outdoor Gathering.

Thursday 7 August. North Yorkshire. York evening event. Meet at the entrance to the Museum Gardens Gates, Museum Street. A light hearted tour of the old Pubs of York, with some juicy stories of their history.

Saturday 9 August. Derbyshire. Long Distance Saturday walk: the Dovedale - Manifold Valley Loop; around 20 miles starting from Hartington Youth Hostel, and finishing about 17:30. (The walk will be at a steady pace, with plenty of stops, but is only suitable for strong walkers). Because of the early start and late finish, Rob is proposing to stay at the hostel on Friday and Saturday nights. Anyone else is welcome to join him on the Friday and Saturday evenings (Hartington has some very good pubs) but they must book their own accommodation direct with the hostel on 0870 770 5848. (Book early; it fills quickly).

Sunday 10 August. Yorkshire. Penyghent and Plover, an 8½ mile hill walk in the Three Peaks area of the Yorkshire Dales. Meet at Horton-in-Ribblesdale main car park (pay and display). Bring your packed lunch.

Friday 15 - Sunday 17 August. Lincolnshire camping weekend. Join the East Midlands group at West End Farm camp site. Carlton Road, Great Carlton near Louth. Follow the brown tourist signs off the A157 between Louth and Mablethorpe.

Saturday 16 August. Redesmere, Cheshire. An easy 8 mile walk that takes in grassy meadows, quiet woodland, ponds and meres rich in wildlife, a beautiful church and the splendid Jacobean style Capesthorne Hall. Bring packed lunch. Meet in Redesmere car park just off A34 between Alderley Edge and Congleton.

Saturday 30 August. Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire. High Brown Knoll and Luddenden Dean. Meet at the railway station car park for a 10 mile walk on the hills to the east of Hebden Bridge.

Thursday 4 - Sunday 7 September. Northumberland. Canoeing on the River Tweed and Farne Islands.

Saturday 6 September. North Wales. Erddig. A 6-7 mile walk, cross country and parkland with sighting of Watt's Dyke. Meet in Erddig Country Park car park, just off the A5152 on the south side of Wrexham. Please bring packed lunch.

Sunday 14 September. Peak District, Derbyshire. A 7 mile easy walk from Ashford in the Water, near Bakewell. Meet outside the church. The walk takes in superb woodland and some lovely stretches of riverside walking in Monsal Dale.

Friday 19 - Sunday 21 September. Cumbria Weekend at Kirkby Stephen Youth Hostel, now in private hands. Contact co-ordinator then book directly on 0870 770 8868.

Sunday 28 September. South Yorkshire. 9 miles, including parts of the Barnsley Boundary Walk and Transpennine Trail. Meet in Penistone Centre, Market Street.

Friday 3 - Sunday 5 October. Yorkshire Coast. Spend the weekend at the new Whitby Youth Hostel, Abbey House. Contact co-ordinator before making your own hostel booking on 0870 770 6088.

Saturday 4 October. Cheshire. A 9 mile walk including Whitegate Way, the Weaver Navigation and the grounds of Vale Royal Abbey followed by Planning Meeting. Meet in Whitegate Way car park, Marton Green (between A556 and A54, north-west of Winsford). Packed lunch required. Tea afterwards, during which there will be a short planning meeting for next year's programme of Saturday walks in Cheshire & Environs, so please come with ideas.

Sunday 5 October. Lancashire. Conder Green. Meet at the Stork Inn, Conder Green for this relatively level walk of 8½ miles near the Lune estuary. Bring packed lunch.

Sunday 12 October. Rowarth, south of Glossop, Derbyshire. A walk of about 8 miles starting from the Rowarth village car park.

Sunday 19 October. West Yorkshire. Bridestones Moor and Noah Dale - a 10 mile trek in the Calderdale Himalaya. Meet at Todmorden bus station. Packed lunch required.

Friday 24 October. TRANSPENNINE AUTUMN PARTY. This year the party has jumped over to the west of the Pennines. You are invited to a party for some fun and to collect and set the details for the 2009 Transpennine programme. Casseroles (meat and veggie) will be served followed by cheese and fruit. Please come along, whether involved in events or not. Bring your own bottle. If you intend to come please contact co-ordinator a week or so in advance to give an idea of numbers.

Saturday 1 November. Cheshire. Bickerton/Peckforton Hills. Late Autumn colour up on mid-Cheshire's wooded, sandstone ridge. A six-mile walk of three hours or so, with one or two short, steepish climbs of about 300' each. Bring a packed lunch. Prompt start from limited roadside parking on the Peckforton to Bulkeley lane - by the woods at the foot of Bulkeley hill.

Friday 7 - Sunday 9 November. Lake District weekend based on Windermere Youth Hostel in Borrowdale. NOTE CHANGE OF VENUE. The hostel overlooks the lake and is 2 miles from Windermere at Troutbeck. There is a choice of high and low level walks and a lake cruise is available for those who prefer not to walk. The hostel provides home cooked food. Please book with the hostel direct on 0870 770 6094. At present (early September) they have plenty of available beds but I suggest you book early to avoid disappointment.

Sunday 16 November. Hayfield, Derbyshire. A walk of about 9 miles using one of the more interesting (and least used) routes up Kinder Scout. Start from the pay & display car park in Hayfield. This is signed 'Sett Valley Trail' and is on A6015 near its junction with A624.

Sunday 23 November. West Yorkshire. Meet at Sowerby Bridge railway station for a 7 mile walk including part of the Ryburn valley.

Friday 5 - Sunday 7 December. CHRISTMAS WEEKEND. This year the event will be held at Hathersage Youth Hostel in the Derbyshire Peak District. We have booked the whole hostel of 40 places. As usual there will be a 'Christmas Dinner' on Saturday night. To confirm your place, please send the co-ordinator a cheque for £30 per person to include accommodation, the meal and some drinks and let me know of any special dietary requirements. This is an estimate and may need some adjustment at the weekend.

Sunday 14 December. South Yorkshire. Reservoirs Walk. A 7 mile walk. Meet by the bridge in Low Bradfield, north-west of Sheffield.

Gay Outdoor Club: Transpennine Walks 2009

Saturday 10 January 2009. Delamere, Cheshire. A 6½ mile walk though Delamere forest following mainly forest paths. Bring a packed lunch. Meet in Hatchmere picnic area and car park by the Mere at Hatchmere on B5152.

Friday 10 - Monday 13 April. The joint Scottish Transpennine Easter weekend will be at Marthrown of Mabie.


For further information see the GOC Outdoors magazine.