Walk 4

White Coppice to Great Hill

From the cricket pavilion at White Coppice go over the bridge that crosses the Goit (incidentally, the Goit connects Roddlesworth reservoir near Abbey Village to Anglezarke Reservoir). Go through the kissing gate at the far side of the bridge and turn left. As the path starts to climb turn sharp right at the old signpost. Stay on this path and after half a mile or so there are some trees and an old ruin on your right hand side. This is known as Coppice Stile. 

Continue along the track until you reach some steps and another old direction sign. Turn right (ignoring the path to Brinscall) and shortly you will reach another ruin called Drinkwater's. Apparently it was used as target practice during the second world war. From Drinkwater's simply follow the path to the summit of Great Hill.

There used to be a cairn on the summit, but in 1999 it was replaced with a wall in the shape of a +. This shape affords protection from the wind, no matter which direction it blows from. Another recent addition has been the laying of large stone slabs from Great Hill along the moor to Redmond's Edge. This route was always very boggy and it is a pity that it was not continued over Spitlers Edge to the Rivington/Belmont road.

From the top there are magnificent views all round and it is easy to understand why the hill got it's name. Note the tumulus called Roundloaf to the south west. At this point you have the option of returning to White Coppice or extending your walk. If you wish to continue see walk 5 or walk 6, otherwise follow the signpost for Winter Hill. As you descend and reach a fence and style turn right and follow the faint track that runs parallel with Great Hill - don't go over the style. This path will lead you back to the path from Whiter Coppice to Great Hill.

The sign at White Coppice. In fact this is very misleading. The quickest and easiest way to Brinscall is to go left of the sign.

White Coppice from the path up to Coppice Style

The view from above White Coppice - four of the lodges are clearly visible.

Great Hill. The trees at Drinkwater's are on the left, the trees at Great Hill Farm are centre and the trees along Dean Black Brook are to the right

Approaching Drinkwaters Farm. Note the trial mine shafts. On the skyline, Winter Hill mast and Round loaf can be seen

The old entrance gate posts to Drinkwater's Farm. This was used as target practice during the war.

The view over to Winter Hill and Rivington Pike from near the summit of Great Hill

The fingerpost on Great Hill summit

Darwen Tower from Great Hill

A sheep at Great Hill Farm

Sunset over Healey Nab