It must have been a hazardous journey for medieval pilgrims as they crossed the bleak wilderness of Holcombe Moor on their way to Whalley Abbey. But at least they didn't have to contend with a military firing range. Fortunately the soldiers only fire blanks up on the moor, and anyway the Pilgrim's Cross footpath stays firmly outside the range, so all is quite safe, even when the red flags are flying.
LOCATION: Ramsbottom, three miles north of Bury
START: B6241 at Holcombe, Peel Tower car park Grid ref: SD781165 Postcode: BL8 4NW
DISTANCE: 4.5 miles
GRADE: Moderate
TIME: 2 hours
MAP: Explorer - West Pennine Moors Landranger 109
REFRESHMENTS: Shoulder of Mutton
EN ROUTE: Chatterton Close
This walk was originally published by
The Manchester Evening News