In t'fells (Forest of Bowland)
For anyone who hasn't done much or any running on our local fells, here
are
a couple of ideas for routes which you might like to try:
1. Fair Snape and Saddle Fell circuit. About 9km distance and 300m
ascent.
Start at the road corner S of Fell Foot (602442) and run/walk/crawl up
Parlick.
Descend northwards, then up and along to Paddy's Pole on Fairsnape
Fell.
Then NE across the plateau on a vague path, across a fence (not on the
map),
to the big stile at the junction of 3 fences (598472). Careful
navigation
here if it is misty. Cross over and head S for 40m, then pick up the
path
eastwards to Saddle Fell. This path is relatively dry and is just the
right
gradient down to enjoy. Cross the fence just before Saddle Fell and
descend
southwards to the farm at Saddle End. Within 30m of leaving the
farmyard
turn sharp right back on yourself, on a footpath through a small new
plantation,
and follow this WSW into and across a wet field, down a valley, across
the
footbridge and up to Wolfen Hall. A tarmac track runs the last km to
the
car. (Reminder - the Paddy's Pole fellrace is on the first
Tuesday
in June.)
2. Clougha Pike. About 6km distance and 300m ascent.
This is a well-used run, just follow the stud marks. Start at the car
park
beyond Quernmore Crossroads (at 526604) and basically go to the trig
point
on Clougha and back again. Other variations are possible but the best
bit
is the view over Morecambe Bay, particularly at sunset. A longer route
in
this area is . . . . . . .
3. Ward's Stone, Grit Fell and Clougha Pike. About 16km distance and
450m ascent.
For this one you need a car at Tarnbrook and one at Quernmore, or add
on
another 12km for the return! This is a nice linear route into the
remote fells
above Tarnbrook, then west along the wide ridge with views of Morecambe
Bay
and the Lakes always ahead of you. A good track runs up the fell at a
sensible
gradient, E then NE from Tarnbrook (588557). Towards the watershed the
path
becomes rough and less distinct, but the fence near Brown Syke is your
landmark.
Turn left (NW) and keep the fence on your right for 2km until it turns
N.
Here head WNW to the plateau of Ward's Stone, with a trig point at each
end.
If it's misty up here good map and compass work is essential, otherwise
there
are no real navigation problems though the path can become indistinct
in
places. From Ward's Stone it's basically westwards to Grit Fell (from
where
you could descend SW to the road at Jubilee Tower), then NW to Clougha
and
down to the car park on Rigg Lane (526604).
Look out for more routes in future issues. Meanwhile......
..... TRAINING FOR RUNNING ON THE BOWLAND FELLS:
1. Find a large ditch, about a yard wide and at least 10 yards long.
2. Make sure that it contains at least 2 ft of water.
3. Throw in some old matresses, the contents of your compost heap and
several
bales of hay.
4. Run from one end to the other. Repeat 10 times.
5. Now jump across the ditch. Repeat 10 times.
6. Fall into the ditch. Repeat 10 times.
7. Don't forget to warm up before the exercise and to cool down after
(see
6 above).
8. Preferably complete the above in the rain.
GRC Home