BOTH WALKS ARE NOW FULLY BOOKED!
I am really excited to have been asked to lead a two guided walks as part of the 2024 WIlton Fest - the UK's biggest FREE climbing festival. While there will be lots of climbing activities taking place throughout the day, this is a wholesome gathering for all fans of the outdoors who enjoy brushing shoulders with like minded people and maybe learning a thing or two about different activities.
The event is organised by volunteers from the British Mountaineering Council and there will be free workshops, masterclass sessions, stalls, informative talks and a barbeque.
Both guided walks are limited to 12 spaces to ensure a safe
and informative experience for all participants.
The first of two routes I have designed will take place at 10:30 in the morning and is suitable for walkers of all abilities, no real experience required. The total length of the walk is 9km, or 5.5 miles, with just over 200m ascent, and is expected to take up to 3 hours at a steady pace.
We will be heading straight out of the Wilton Quarries to the A675, passing Dingle and Springs reservoirs as we descend to a lower elevation. There will be plenty of history to discuss and hopefully some wildlife to enjoy as we make our way down into Longworth Clough, a beautiful area maintained by the Wildlife Trust that is home to lots of rare plant and animal species.
​After we have crossed Longworth Road, we'll head around most of the circumference of Delph Reservoir, using some pretty scenic paths around Dunscar and then through the really pretty but non native woodland that surrounds this body of water. It's quite a peaceful area and the reservoir is popular with sailing enthusiasts.
We will cross back over to the south of Longworth Road and back into Longworth Clough on a stretch that takes in serene open meadow space and ancient indigenous woodland where, again, there will hopefully be a chance to observe wildlife. Eventually, we will make our way back to the Wilton Quarries via Dingle Reservoir.
This is a FREE activity operated in conjunction with Wilton Fest and is open to any members of the public . There is some uneven terrain and one particularly steep downhill section. Mud and boggy ground is encountered in various locations along the route, although most paths are well surfaced. If you are for any reason unsure of your ability, please email me via moorstomountains@gmail.com and we can discuss any questions you may have.
We will continue westwards before picking up the main Smithills track to Winter Hill, an important historic route that was used in the famous mass trespass of 1896, the story of which will make for an interesting group discussion about working class social history and land access.
This subject usually leads to talking about responsible hiking practices, which would be particularly prolific given that we will be passing over moorland that has been ecologically devastated due to moorland fires.
Once atop Winter Hill, there are many historical and interesting facts that I look forward to sharing with the group including the Winter Hill air disaster, a grizzly murder, big cat sightings and other supposed paranormal acitivity.
This afternoon route is aimed at people with a reasonable level of fitness and will take in some steep terrain. The total length of the walk is 12km, or just over 7 miles, with just over 300m ascent, and is expected to take around three and a half hours at a leisurely pace.
Starting at 14:30, we will be climbing out of the back of the Wilton Quarries and heading over to one of Winter Hill's smaller "satellite" summits, Whimberry Hill, before crossing the moor to Dean Mills Reservoir. This is a very tranquil spot, also known locally as the "Hidden Reservoir" and offers expansive views across the north west region.
Our route will then lead us down the "San Mario Run" and into the beautiful natural indigenous woodland of Longworth Clough where there will hopefully be a chance to observe wildlife.
After a short while, we will find ourselves heading on a track past Dingle Reservoir in time to enjoy the closing hours of Wilton Fest.
This is a FREE activity operated in conjunction with Wilton Fest and is open to any members of the public . There is a lot of uneven, tussocky ground and many steep uphill and downhill sections. Mud and boggy ground is encountered in various locations along the route, and a lot of the paths are not particularly well surfaced.
If you are for any reason unsure of your ability, please email me via moorstomountains@gmail.com and we can discuss any questions you may have.
Please bear in mind that I have calculated the route duration based on average speeds of clients that I am used to taking out. The walk may actually be done in a quicker time, but also may take longer based on individual fitness levels within the group.
It should be mentioned that weather in the hills of Britain can be unpredictable at all times of the year and so it isn't possible to guarantee excellent views on every walk. Multiple weather forecast sources are always studied before any Moors to Mountains activity. Unless there is a potential safety risk posed by the weather, walks will go ahead regardless of conditions.
IMPORTANT! In booking a ticket, participant/s should acknowledge that the activity is NOT a regular Moors to Mountains professionally guided walk and is part of a free community event in conjunction with the Wiltonfest volunteers. This dictates that the activity is being operated voluntarily in a peer to peer setting and no money will exchange hands for professional services. While I will be leading the walk and giving safety advice, adults are responsible for their own safety and that of any persons under eighteen in their care. Not all practices, especially clothing requirements and group sizes, will be indicative of regular full day Moors to Mountains activities. Each walk is limited to twelve spaces to ensure that participants can enjoy an informative and safe experience.
All participants will be emailed a CONSENT FORM that should be completed no later than 7 days before the activity. Please check spam folders.
I am honoured to be a part of this event and look forward to meeting lots of nice people on the day. Cheers, COLIN.