Whitworth Skyline 11 2026

This is a challenging walk of approximately 14 miles over varied terrain, starting from the registration point at Lobden Golf Club (OL12 8XJ) between 7.45am and 9am - your choice. It is undertaken entirely at the walker's own risk, and by entering you are accepting that you will stick to the official route. The organisers (Whitworth Sports Council) will provide you with written route instructions and a numbered tag. Water/orange juice/plasters are available if required at every checkpoint; and vehicles may be available to remove you from the moor in the case of emergency. There will also be a certificate and a small hot meal available to you at the finish at Lobden GC.

ABOUT THE WALK - You will be asked during entry to confirm you have read and understand the below information.

*It is the walker's responsibility to treat the moor, a working environment, with respect; to leave no litter on the route; and to wear appropriate clothing and carry appropriate kit.

*We suggest walking boots, though strong, securely tied, trainers will do if the weather is dry and has been for a while; spare socks; waterproofs (at least to carry, unless the day of the walk is guaranteed to be entirely dry); and at least one layer of clothing more than you expect, because it is nearly always cooler on the tops. A phone would be handy too; and some plasters and (optimistically) sun-cream.

*14 miles will probably take between 5 and 7 hours to walk, so we suggest you bring a packed lunch/snacks

* Refreshments will be available at Healey Deli on the first stretch of the walk, Thrum Hall Methodist Church will have a Christian Aid stall providing Tea/Coffee (£2), Bacon Butties (£3.50) at Knacks Farm (just before checkpoint 1) and Ninja Coffee will be at Britannia.

* A refillable water bottle would be useful and can be refilled at the checkpoints.

* There are toilets at Healey Corner (2 miles), Knacks Farm (2.5 miles) and Britannia (9miles)

*There are 4 intermediate checkpoints, at (nominally) 3, 5, 9 and 11 miles. All walkers MUST check in via their tag number at each checkpoint, and if you wish to out at any of these intermediate checkpoints you MUST tell the marshal there and hand in your tag. Please do not out at any other point. Two checkpoints are vehicle-accessible. These are at 3 miles, at the bottom of Rooley Moor Road and at 9 miles, on the car park at the Whitworth-Bacup boundary on the A671. The checkpoints at the top of Rooley Moor Road and Middle Hill are at remote locations with no vehicle access, and you should not plan to out there.

*A cut-off will operate at the Rooley Moore checkpoint. If you do not reach there (3 miles) by 11am you must out at that point. While we appreciate that some people walk more slowly than others, the next section, to Rooley Moor Road, is a difficult one, and you can't out there anyway. We feel you'd be putting yourself at risk, and stretching our organisational resources beyond what is sensible. The next cut-off will be Britannia (9 miles) and will need to be there by 1400hr to continue the walk.

*This year you can sign up for the Sunday Stroll - first 3 miles Lobden to Rooley Moore Road or Western Skyline - first 9 miles of Skyline, from Lobden to Britannia. Certificate and pie still, if you get yourself back up to Lobden.

*Sorry but, as usual, we cannot have dogs on either of the walks. We cannot differentiate between the well-trained and others: it is still lambing season, there are ground-nesting birds, and stiles: we have concerns about dogs as hazards, dogs en masse, and dogs as a nuisance to non-dog walkers. So, no dogs, NO exceptions, and, please, no attempts to bend the rule.

*Although there is car parking space at or near the golf club this will fill up quite rapidly if, as we hope, lots of people join the walk: if possible, can you car-share up to Lobden; or get yourself dropped off/picked up later; or even warm up by walking up?

*Entry fee - £5 up to Thurs 21th May, £7 after that, including on the day (Western Skyline £3 and then increasing to £5, Sunday Stroll £1 then £2).

Any monies left after expenses and a donation to Rossendale and Pendle Mountain Rescue Team will go to Whitworth Sports Council. If you wish to use Skyline to raise money for a favoured charity, feel free - and your certificate can act as proof of how far you've walked.

*Any queries, contact Christopher Rothwell (07846107922) but NOT on the day, please.