Tracro one

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Was a good walk. Felt harder that it should have been because I had jet-lag. There were a few narrow stiles. Slightly manky little section along River Lanes haw as well. Overall though a very nice route with a lot of high up sections with good views.

After a short climb (17%) on a quiet road out of Trawden the route enters the first of many mostly sheep-grazed fields (with occasional cows). There are lots of stone stiles to cross field boundaries - some squeeze stiles (often with small wooden gates), some step stiles - and also standard farm gates. We managed all these okay with an energetic springer spaniel, but I think it would be a struggle with heavier dogs. Later in the walk there are kissing gates and narrow bridges. The views from the fields are fabulous, especially west towards Pendle Hill. At Wycoller Beck Farm, it feels as if you are walking through a garden, but the gate (indistinctly) marks this as a footpath. Also, by Ing Heys Farm, although it is difficult to judge from the map, it is best to follow the east side of the wall down to the quiet road.
Laneshawbridge has a pub, bus stop, and public toilets, and the A6068 is not difficult to cross, although this is only 20% through the route.
There is a gradual climb through more fields to reach Knarrs Farm, which was rather muddy, and had a deceptively high step up the stile to get back into the fields. I think this could probably be avoided by following a footpath a short way uphill of the farm buildings.
Soon the route becomes a gravel road and then a tarmacked, but quiet road. This is where the boundary is between Lancashire and Yorkshire. The view ahead opens out towards the “Salt and Pepper Pots” of Earl Crag behind Cowling. There is a road descent of 17% to reach an easily missed squeeze stile into fields to reach Ickhornshaw Beck, which the route follows for some time. There is a pretty wooded path passing below Ickhornshaw and Cowling. I suspect this could flood in places during heavy rain. There are several bridges crossing the river(s), and more fields, stiles, and flights of steps, and also a cattle grid with a gate option. The views coming down into Glusburn and Cross Hills were a bit disappointing, but Cross Hills is a good large village with lots of facilities.
This was a really nice route, definitely 5* from me.

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