DAY 13 – 14th July 2022
Preston to Rivington – 26 miles.
Ascent 3.238ft
Walking the Southern Loop in reverse so walked Stages 16 to 13 (S16 to S13).
The final Loop and feeling much more positive after a couple of good days. Also becoming quite pragmatic about missing small sections out. At Whittle Hills I missed the two miles that follows the old course of the Lancaster canal to Johnsons Hillock and then up to Top Lock and Birchin Lane. It is a very interesting section but my objective now was to complete the walk as efficiently as possible and the day was still going to be long particularly with the climbs up to Darwen Tower, Great Hill and Winter Hill.
Whilst overnight in Preston I had also decided that I was going to take three days to walk the 83 miles that is the Southern Loop. I had reconciled myself with not completing the whole walk in two weeks – it would be just 15 days, which is not a bad effort really.
There are not many places to obtain food and refreshments on this day. So stock up in Preston. There is a Tesco Express on Fishergate for instance. I also stopped at the Hare Hounds for a drink and snack. There is a cafe and the Royal Arms at the car park at the Roddlesworth Information Centre.
As the Southern Loop is local to me I was picked up at the end of the day in Rivington and spent the night at home, the first time in almost two weeks.
I apologise but there are not many photos of this day – it is better than this!
Setting off from Preston again but this time on the Southern Loop.
The Roddlesworth Reservoir is part of a pretty walk through woods just after Abbey Village.
The iconic Jubilee Tower sitting on Darwen Moor and also known as Darwen Tower by most locals.
Looking back to Darwen Tower.
Great Hill with our next stops of Winter Hill and Rivington Pike in the distance
Next stop Winter Hill! Skies darkening and it is a steep climb!
Rivington Pike with Winter Hill in the background.
