Say I'm planning on riding the loop from Birch Vale that takes in Lantern Pike, Matley Moor and Rowarth, and then back to Birch Vale, am I best doing it clockwise or anti-clockwise?
I would be inclined to say clockwise. That way you get the steps downhill into Rowarth. Lantern Pike has been ruined by re-grading but final stretch back down to Birch Vale is fun.
Cool, ta.
How big are the steps? Thinking of the vaguely newbie Mrs.
Worth dragging yourself up to the summit of Lantern Pike for the views over Kinder instead of sticking to the dull BW IMO
Probably walk down the worst. It's enclosed and will be damp at best, probably wet.
This is a regular route for me.
Go clockwise starting at Spinnerbottom. The best descent is dropping into Rowarth, would be pretty rubbish going up it. The steps aren't too bad, my Mrs is happy going down them but they are becoming increasingly eroded so look worse than they are.