Bowland & Pendle Walks
Totridge & Mellor Knoll
Date: 14th August 2010
Distance: 5.2 miles
Ascent: 1510 feet
Time: 3 hours 10 mins
With: On my own
Start Grid Ref: SD646505
Walk Summary:
A short but steep walk up to Totridge, one of the highest fells in Bowland returning via the lovely Hareden valley.
Route Summary: Hareden - Mellor Knoll - Totridge - Hareden Brook - Hareden
Photos: Click on the photos below to enlarge.
Walk Detail: I'd planned to go out for a long stride in the North Pennines but instead I ended up doing this short walk in the afternoon having spent the morning sorting out the broadband and cable in our new house.
It had been nearly five years since I had first been up to the top of Totridge on what was, at the time, only my second walk in the Forest of Bowland. Although I started this walk in the same place this time I took a more direct approach (with a detour on to Mellor Knoll) rather than the more circuitous route along Langden Brook and then up Bleadale.
Strictly speaking the top of Mellor Knoll is not accessible as it is not on access land and the public bridleway contours at a height of 50m below the top. I had planned on going up to the top regardless but as I approached I saw a farmer working in the pasture below the summit so I walked over and asked permission to visit the top.
He kindly said yes and told me I should get some good pictures from the top. While the view was certainly good by this time the sky had become quite overcast so I didn't get the photos I'd hoped to get. Still I felt rather pleased that I was there in good conscience rather than worrying about what could be seen as trespassing.
From Mellor Knoll the climb to the top of Totridge was steep, indeed it is one of the steepest climbs in Bowland. Still I prefer climbing up steep sections than coming down them as it is easier on the knees, if not the lungs.
I stopped and ate my lunch upon reaching the trig point on the summit. Happily the sun chose this moment to break through the cloud cover and and this enhanced the already excellent views.
My route back involved a pathless and often rough descent through heather and bracken to Hareden Brook which had to be crossed before a scramble up the opposite bank to a shooters track that took me all the way back to Hareden Farm. While I wouldn't recommend this route off Totridge to everyone it was worth it to get the chance to walk through the pleasant side valley of Hareden.
Totridge is the first fell in Bowland that I have now visited twice. It is an impressive looking fell and is a fine viewpoint and I will no doubt return in the future.
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