"The River Hodder may be impassable at this point in flood conditions" announced the notice. "May" was an understatement as we stood contemplating the foam-flecked brown water surging down the valley. Of the stepping stones there was nothing to be seen. But what they don't tell you is that a short distance upstream there's a magnificent old stone bridge which has spanned the river for centuries. And when you get back there's a bird hide from which to watch cormorant, widgeon, teal, tufted duck, goldeneye, pochard and little grebe, to mention only a few.
LOCATION: Ten miles north of Clitheroe
START: Stocks Reservoir car park, off B6478
Grid ref: SD732565 Postcode: BB7 4TS
DISTANCE: 7.5 miles
GRADE: Easy
TIME: 4 hours
MAP: Explorer - Forest of Bowland Landranger 103
NOTE: Good for bird watchers
REFRESHMENTS: Pack a flask
EN ROUTE: Lock Bridge, Gisburn Forest
This walk was originally published by
The Manchester Evening News