We are the Take a Hike Ramblers. We open the way for everyone in our local community to enjoy the pleasures of walking.
Lindsay G.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS A DIFFERENT WALK TO THE ONE I ORIGINALLY PUT ON FOR THIS DATE!
There are TWO DISTANCES (6 or 9 miles) available for this flat walk, which is largely centred around the beautiful St Aidan's RSPB nature reserve (a former coal mine) and the Aire and Calder Navigation canal:
Option 1. Meet at Great Preston playground carpark (What3Words ///handbags.magpie.charts), just off Berry Lane, for the 9 mile walk at 10.00. 163 buses from Leeds and Castleford stop here.
Option 2. Meet at St Aidan's Nature Reserve main carpark (What3words //outfitter.pegs.spot) for the 6 mile walk at 10.45 (the 9 mile group will walk to meet you here).
NB Parking Charges apply at St Aidan's (£4 for the day, pay by card) but not at Great Preston.
This will be a leisurely walk, mostly on trail paths. We'll explore the nature reserve (a good opportunity for bird spotting) before heading to Lemonroyd Marina (a good opportunity for boat spotting!) for a walk along the canal and back a different route into the nature reserve again. There will be a lunch stop at an appropriate time.
The 9 mile group will walk 1.5 miles to the nature reserve, where we will pick up anyone wanting to do the shorter route. There will be an opportunity here to buy a take away hot drink and a cake at the cafe, and there are also toilets.
Parking charges apply at the start of the 6 mile walk (£4 for the day, pay by card). Parking is free at the start of the 9 mile walk.
Dogs are welcome but must be on leads in St Aidan's nature reserve (their rules).
Toilets available at St Aidan's carpark (start and end of the 6 mile section of the walk).
Meet at the carpark opposite the children's playground off Berry Lane, Great Preston for the 9 mile version of the walk. OR Meet outside Little Owl Cafe next to St Aidan's Main carpark, for the 6 mile version of the walk.
