Friday 13 January 2023 - A Danebridge Circuit

I chose this popular destination for the first of a new 2023 series of Friday morning walks. We've been here many times before - some reports are here, with full historic details and much better photos than today's.

A new sign (above) welcomes visitors to Wincle, but just up the road the Ship Inn has shut up shop. That's a shame.

Anyway, today the weather was very dull, but the expected rain held off until after we had finished.

Wincle Brewery is still going strong, and we looked back to that as we crossed the bridge from Cheshire into Staffordshire.

A steep little ginnel leads up to a path that pops out onto a field in view of our first objective, the Hanging Stone.

Soon we were on top of the stone, admiring views to Shutlingsloe, and across Cheshire in the other direction.

Jenny and I went to the top of the stone whilst Richard and Sue looked on.

We then took the high path that leads to the Roaches. Looking back you can see the Hanging Stone, and Shutlingsloe.

Ahead, Tittesworth Reservoir, with the Roaches to the left of the prominent trees.

After a while we reached the road, beyond which the Roaches lie, and beside which there's often an ice cream van. But not today, although there were quite a few walkers out and about. It's a popular spot.

Elevenses, with lots of shortbread, were taken in the depths of Back Forest, beside the path to Lud's Church.

We missed the turn that leads to the top of the chasm, but today we were quite happy to enter from the bottom. It was muddy. Below the carefully positioned branch on which Jenny is manoeuvreing, the water is knee deep. Another visitor demonstrated that - mud up to his thighs! 

Here, Sue took the opportunity to identify some fungi. She spotted two 'new ones'.

Mossy Maze Polypore

Jelly Spot Fungus

A turn towards Gradbach took us down to the River Dane, for a pleasant meander back to Danebridge.

If you follow the link to previous visits, you can see how the view of this landslip has changed over the years.

The muddy field just before reaching the bridge didn't seem as muddy as usual, despite our having had lots of rain in recent days.

Here's our route - over 10km, with around 300 metres ascent, taking us a little over 3 hours.

What an excellent way to spend a morning. And if you fancy joining me on a future stroll, the current list is here:

27 January - Longridge Fell - a 12km circuit from Hurst Green village hall (SD 685 381). Meet at 10:00.

3 February - Shutlingsloe - a 10km circuit from the Leather's Smithy. Park beside Ridgegate Reservoir in the marked spaces, SJ 953 715. Start at 10:00.

10 February - The Wells of Silverdale - a 10km circuit from Leighton Moss Bird Reserve Visitor Centre - SD 476 750. Meet at cafe 10:00. Bring lunch.

17 February - A 10km circuit from Bollington via White Nancy and the Saddle of Kerridge. Meet at Adlington Road Car Park in Bollington (SJ 930 780), at 10:00.

24 February - Coniston Old Man and Dow Crag - a classic 9km circuit starting from the end of the Walna Scar Road (SD 288 970) at 10:30.