 | Coupe Green - Roach Bridge - Coupe Green 2.5 Miles |
A short evening stroll from Coupe Green, along the River Darwen to Roach Bridge, up Roach Road and back across the fields to Coupe Green. weather needs to be dry really as often the paths across the fields can be be wet and a bit spongy.
Starting from Coupe Green, Roadside Parking available but take care not to block driveway access etc. Walk along Coupe Green passing the school and playing field on your right, continue forwards as the road becomes Carver brow and drops downhill towards The River Darwen, at the bottom of the hill, the road becomes a path and continues a short distance before crossing the River on the superb Wooden Bridge
Immediately after crossing the bridge cross the stile on the right and follow the path alongside the River Darwen, The path passes what was Red Rocks until a severe storm a few years ago completely washed the weir away. Keep straight ahead until you reach a stile, Last time i walked this the stile had fallen apart and you could just walk straight through into a short wooded section with the River still close by on your right. Emerge to reach another stile (Now a new metal gate) Pass through and the path crosses the field bearing just slightly left, to reach another new gate on the opposite side of the field.
Pass through the gate into a short stretch of path with hedges at either side, reach another gate at Darwen Side Farm and keep to the right of the buildings to come alongside the river again. Through another gate and walk on to reach the wide stoney driveway to the farm, follow this pass the dog walking compound on the left. It crosses a cattle grid and bears right before eventually reaching Roach road and a view of the impressive Weir and waterfall.
Turn right and follow the road as it bends left and right passed the old paper mill on the left and new build houses on the right. Take care along this stretch of road, as depending on the time of day, there can be a few cars travelling either way. Follow Roach Road as it winds along to the right and then the left, eventually reaching Fleetwood Hall Farm on the right. You can leave the road at this point and take the footpath from the Farm Drive around the edge of the field. It can be a bit overgrown though so I prefer to walk on up Roach Road a little bit further. As you pass Firwood Lane dropping down to your left continue on until you see a stile in the hedge on your right taking you into the field.
The path follows the hedge on the right as it continues forward, through an open gate and curves right then left with the hedge always on your right. You'll pass the footbridge on your right that you would have crossed had you taken the path from Fleetwood Hall. continue on and as the the hedge becomes a fence with woodland beyond bear left and cross the field heading for an opening between the trees. This is the only bit that is ever so slightly confusing, but cross the field heading for the trees and as you get closer you can see the the path descend into the small wooded glade to a footbridge. up the other side, and to the right before it enters another field on your left.
A short walk across this field towards another woodland brings you to a footpath sign as the path drops again into another pleasant wooed glade with the brook at the bottom crossed by another footbridge. Up the other side, a short steepish climb leads into a field, walk straight on hedge on your right to reach a stile that brings you out on to Fox Lane. Cross the stile and bear right, to walk along Fox lane to the junction of Coupe Green, turn right to return to the start.