Walk 3

Hall Barn to The Pike via Wilderswood

This is a walk that takes you on lesser trodden paths, but includes the summit of one of the most popular hills in the county. Suitable clothing should be carried.

With your back to the entrance of Hall Barn, turn right and follow the path behind the barn. At the first intersection of paths take the right-hand route, and at the second interchange take the left turning and begin a gentle ascent. As the path levels out, take a right turn before the stile, onto a wide unmade road. Stay on this track and you will reach a metal gate and stile. Ignore the path to the left.

Continue ahead descending gently. After 60 yards several paths meet. Take the left-hand path and pass the house on your right-hand side. You are now on an avenue of trees. Stay on this. You will pass a house called "Higher Derbyshires" set back on the left and later Rivington School will appear through the trees to the right.

At the end of the avenue you reach a T junction. Turn left and start to ascend steeply (but only for 30 yards) and the road swings to the right. You will reach a metal gate - go through it and after 20 yards go over the stile on the right. Follow the path which will start to arc left. Here, after periods of rain, the thundering sound of a river can be heard.

Shortly, a gate, stile and steps are reached. Turn right and descend the steps, cross the footbridge over the River Douglas and climb the steps on the other side. You will come to a "kissing gate". Go through it and turn left onto a concrete track.

Stay on this all the way to a barn. Fifty yards prior to the barn there is still evidence of an old tramway crossing the path. This was to take minerals to the works down the hillside.

At the barn continue straight ahead (ignoring the track to the left). The path descends after a short while to a stone bridge. Turn first left and begin to climb. Stay on this track, ignoring any paths to either side.

The track suddenly turns right through large stone gateposts. At this point we continue straight on up a marrow path (do not go through the gateposts). Continue along this narrow path and climb the steps when you reach them. At the top of the steps turn right.

You will arrive at a gate where we turn sharp left. From here excellent views are to be had. Continue along this stone road and when Pike Cottage is reached continue ahead, ignoring paths to either side. The road is descending now. Look out for the old boundary stone on the right. Brown Hill looms in front and here begins a sweeping right turn.

Shortly after the road has straightened out, footpaths appear on both sides. Take the right hand path and go through the gate. The Pike comes into view. Make your way to the top.

From the summit views extend as far as the Lake District and Wales. Nearer still, Winter Hill and the cairn on Crooked Edge Hill are evident.

To descend, take the steps down and head in the direction of the tower that is plainly visible. This tower is called the Dovecote or Pigeon Tower, and was built by Lord Leverhulme. Lady Leverhulme used to sew in the uppermost room whilst pigeons were housed below.

However, as you go through the gate at the bottom of the Pike, turn left away from the Dovecote and take the second right through a "kissing gate". Descend the steps, crossing two roads and continue downwards.

A "Y" junction is met, take the left fork and continue down the path. Cross the concrete bridge and the "Lagoon" is to the right. Take a sharp left and continue descending down a tunnel  of rhododendron bushes.

Soon the path descends some stone steps onto a stone road. There is a gate crossing the road. However, take the path directly across from the steps.

This section of the path is like an alpine road and there are a series of hairpin corners. Keep taking sharp left and rights until you come upon a stone road. Take the road downwards and you arrive at a "kissing gate". Continue a little further and go through a second "kissing gate". Turn right after 15 yards onto a wide track. Shortly a track forks off to the left - ignore it and continue forwards. As you reach a wooden fence on the left, go through the opening in it and follow the path to a second fence. Turn right here and follow the track to Rivington Hall and the car park.

Rivington Hall