Road to Wigan Pier and beyond
18 people attending
12 places left
Join Stephen on an easy 11 mile linear walk along a scenic part of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal from Wigan to Burscough in Lancashire then a return train back to Wigan.
We will walk down to Wigan Pier and along the canal through Wigan's industrial heritage, then into open countryside for the majority of the walk.
The highlights of the walk will be:
• Visiting the infamous Wigan Pier
• Going through Appley Bridge and Parbold
• The River Douglas Valley
• The West Lancashire plain
• Having drinks at one of the pubs in Burscough
• Then catch the train back to Wigan Wallgate or Manchester from Burscough Bridge station. There are plenty of trains back to Wigan and beyond
What to bring
Water: bring at least two litres
Medicines: if you have hay fever, diabetes, minor ailments etc.
Day rucksack: typically 20-30 litres, they are comfortable to wear and allow you to use your arms freely
Boots: waterproof and breathable and designed for hiking, trainers are OK if the ground is dry and there’s little chance of rain
Gaiters: recommended for wet weather or boggy conditions
Socks: proper walking socks will keep your feet dry and help prevent blisters
Layered clothing: lets you quickly adapt to changes in the weather and body temperature. Go for a base layer (vest or t-shirt) and a mid layer (a micro fleece or shirt) and in cooler weather add an outer layer (a windproof jacket or thick fleece)
Trousers: ideally no jeans as they become heavy and cold in the rain, breathable fabrics are more comfortable and dry and on warm days shorts are OK
Waterproof jacket: essential when hiking in all but the calmest of weather, breathable fabrics are more comfortable and dry
Gloves: Windproof, or better still, waterproof gloves are the best choice, bring a spare pair if expecting rain
Hat or cap: stay warm in winter and shaded in summer
Sunglasses: for any sunny day, even in winter
Sun cream: can be useful even on cloudy and winter days
Snacks: bring biscuits, energy bars, gels, bananas, chocolate or dried fruit for example and put them somewhere easy to get hold of
Lunch: bring a packed lunch unless otherwise stated
Food & drink
Bring a packed lunch and water- but there is an opportunity to buy food at the half point at Parbold