Salt and Pepper Pots (5.5 Miles)

This 5.5 mile walk provides some stunning views across the Aire Valley and beyond into both North Yorkshire and Lancashire.

A walk of two halves with the first section very flat with easy walking along grass paths and country lanes. The second section mainly moorland with some marsh, bracken and heather.

THE WALK

We had visited the "Salt and Pepper Pots" some four years ago and decided a return visit was in order.

The pots or "Lunds Tower" and "Wainmans Pinnacle", to give them their proper names, are two follies built in 1887 (to commemorate Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee) and 1898 (as a memorial to the Napoleonic Wars).

There is a small carpark that provides easy access to the direct path to the pots. The carpark is basic and uneven and care should be taken when parking up. It was relatively quiet on a grey Friday afternoon but I am sure it will be much busier at the weekends and when the sun shines.

From the car park both the path and Wainmain's Pinnacle are very prominent. Follow the path northwards, as you walk Pendle Hill in Lancashire can clearly be seen in the west. After 5 minutes walk and you will soon be greeted by a large rocky ridge with panoramic views across the Aire Valley and Wainman's Pinnacle itself. You now head east across the ridge toward the second folly in the distance (Lunds Tower).

Within Lunds Tower is a stone spiral staircase providing access to a viewing platform at the top of the tower. The steps are quite narrow and dark but can be climbed with care. The view from the top is definitely worth the small climb. To continue the walk you need to double back on yourself through the gate and head down the path towards Dick Lane.

On joining Dick Lane follow the road up hill and continue for the next 1.5 miles. The road is relatively quiet but we still encountered a few cars, tractors etc. After 1.5 Miles you will pick up a bridle path on your right (heading South West). Again the path here is fairly clear across the field and once through a gate it eventually brings you out on another small road (Grey Stones Lane). Follow the road downhill to join Long Gate and turn right here to pick up the clearly marked path on the left after a few hundred yards.

You are now crossing the moorland and heading back to the car park. Please be warned there was some clear areas of marsh here and the path was sometimes lost in the bracken. After a mile or so the car park is back in site.

All in all a good walk which could easily be adapted to visit the Salt and Pepper Pots only.