I am really excited to have been asked to once again lead a two guided walks as part of the 2025 WIlton Fest - the UK's biggest FREE climbing festival.
While there will be lots of climbing and bouldering activities taking place throughout the day, this is a wholesome gathering for all fans of the outdoors who enjoy brushing shoulders with like minded people and maybe learning a thing or two about different activities.
The event is organised by volunteers from the British Mountaineering Council and there will be free workshops, masterclass sessions, stalls, informative talks and a barbeque.
Both guided walks are limited to 10 spaces to ensure a safe
and informative experience for all participants.
The first of two routes I have designed will take place at 10:30 in the morning and is suitable for walkers with good mobility and with even a basic level of fitness. No extensive walking experience is required to take part. The total length of the walk is 9km, or 5.5 miles, with just over 200m ascent, and is expected to take up to 3 hours at a steady pace.
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We will be heading straight out of the Wilton Quarries to the A675, passing Dingle and Springs reservoirs as we descend to a lower elevation. There will be plenty of history to discuss and hopefully some wildlife to enjoy as we make our way down into Longworth Clough, a beautiful area maintained by the Wildlife Trust that is home to lots of rare plant and animal species.
​After we have crossed Longworth Road, we'll head around most of the circumference of Delph Reservoir, using some scenic paths around Dunscar and then through the really pretty but non native woodland that surrounds this body of water. It's quite a peaceful area and the reservoir is popular with sailing enthusiasts.
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We will find ourselves back into Longworth Clough on a stretch that takes in serene open meadow space and ancient indigenous woodland where, again, there will hopefully be a chance to observe wildlife. Eventually, we will make our way back to the Wilton Quarries via Dingle Reservoir.
This afternoon route is aimed at people with walking experience a reasonable level of fitness and will take in some steep terrain. The total length of the walk is 12km, or just over 7 miles, with just over 300m ascent, and is expected to take around 3.5 hours at a moderate pace. Starting at 14:30, we will be climbing out of the back of the Wilton Quarries and heading over to one of Winter Hill's smaller "satellite" summits, Whimberry Hill, before crossing the moor to Dean Mills Reservoir. This is a very tranquil spot, also known locally as the "Hidden Reservoir" and offers expansive views across the north west region.
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We will continue westwards before picking up the main Smithills track to Winter Hill, an important historic route that was used in the famous mass trespass of 1896, the story of which will make for an interesting group discussion about working class social history and land access.
This subject usually leads to talking about responsible hiking practices, which would be particularly prolific given that we will be passing over moorland that has been ecologically devastated due to moorland fires.
Once atop Winter Hill, there are many historical and interesting facts that I look forward to sharing with the group including the Winter Hill air disaster, a grizzly murder, big cat sightings and other supposed paranormal activity.
​Our route will then lead us down the "San Mario Run" and into the beautiful natural indigenous woodland of Longworth Clough where there will hopefully be a chance to observe wildlife.After a short while, we will find ourselves heading on a track past Dingle Reservoir in time to enjoy the closing hours of Wilton Fest.
​Important details about these specific activities.
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Both guided walks are organised as part of WILTON FEST 2025, which is
a free community event supported by the British Mountaineering Council.
The 10:30 - 13:00 route accrues 9km, or 5.5 miles, with just over 200m ascent, and is expected to take up to 3 hours at a steady pace. The walk is suitable for anybody with good mobility and even a basic level of fitness. There are some gradual slops, one short lived steep hillside descent, uneven terrain, exposed tree rotes and boggy area along the route. Study boots or trail shoes with stiff soles are advised but specialist hiking trainers will be permitted as long as they are waterproof and have good traction.
The afternoon outing at 14:30 - 18:00 amount t0 12km, or 7 miles, with 300m ascent and should take around 3.5 hours.​ The ia walk is strenuous and only suitable for those with previous hill walking experience. Participants can expect still hillside slopes on both the ascent and descent, very uneven and rough moorland, heather and tussocks, boggy ground, mud and exposed tree rotes in parts. This activity requires sturdy boots or trail shoes with stiff soles. NOT trainers, approach or trail shoes with soft soles.
If an individual is for any reason unsure of their ability, please email me via moorstomountains@gmail.com and we can discuss things further before making a booking.
​Please refer to the Moors to Mountains Footwear, Clothing and Equipment Requirements.
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Certain breeds of dog are welcome to attend by prior arrangement only.
Children and young people over the age of 14 are welcome to attend with a parent or guardian by prior arrangement.
Please bear in mind that each activity duration is calculated based on average walking speeds over the types of terrain encountered and previous occurrences of this specific route. Either activity may be completed in a quicker or longer time than expected based on individual fitness levels within the group.
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It should be mentioned that weather in the West Pennine Moors can be unpredictable at all times of the year and so it isn't possible to guarantee excellent views on every walk. It may be necessary for the walk leader to change the itinerary of the route for safety or other reasons, meaning that is is not possible to included certain advertised objectives.
Unless there is a safety concern posed by the weather forecast, activities will go ahead regardless of conditions.
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Please see the Moors to Mountains Terms and Conditions before booking.
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Meeting point and transport information.
​The activity meeting point is Wilton Fest Base Camp, within Wilton 2 Quarry (BL1 7NZ - SD696134 - lunch.scare.beast). There is limited parking available as you enter the quarry, or the official BMC Car Park is a short walk away next to the Wilton Arms Pub on Belmont Road. It is also possible to catch the 535 bus service to and from Bolton town centre.
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Participants should meet at the time advertised on the booking page. You will be contacted if there are any changes.
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What to expect when booking a professionally
guided activity with Colin from Moors to Mountains.
A friendly and supportive group ethic is promoted on all activities.
It is normal for participants to feel anxious or nervous about joining a guided walk for the first time, meeting new people or just stepping out of their usual comfort zone. This is normal. Please try to remember that other people in the group will likely be feeling the same, and I can assure all participants that they will be making new friends and feeling comfortable in the surroundings in no time.
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Knowledge and enthusiasm is shared throughout the activity.
Not only am I here to keep you safe and lead the group, I like to engage all participants in interesting conversation. Whether we are visiting a site with interesting geology and natural features or perhaps somewhere of historic significance, I like to make sure participants go away having learned something new. And as an environmentalist and lover of the outdoors, it is my mission to try and pass on my passion and knowledge to all who sign up to a Moors to Mountains activity.
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Safety, motivation and attentiveness is guaranteed.
All Moors to Mountains activities are designed for smaller parties. The number of participants that is allowed will depend on the terrain of each specific activity. Suitable group sizes allow me to give each individual client the maximum attention throughout an activity, whether this is to answer questions, provide some guidance or physical assistance.
My promise is to deliver a high level of care and individual attentiveness to each member of the group.
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It is not a race, everybody is here to enjoy the activity!
The benefit of booking onto my activities for small groups for many participants is that the reasonable pricing makes joining a qualified, knowledgeable and experienced Mountain Leader to be more affordable. However, participants in each group are likely to be of mixed abilities. All participants will move together as a group and support each other throughout the activity. If you are a very fit and fast hill walker and would like to experience more of a physical challenge, I am available for private bookings that may be more enjoyable for you than my usual group activities that are at a moderate or even gentle pace.
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I am qualified, insured and experienced in the mountains and hills of the UK.
As your guide, I am a qualified and insured Mountain Leader registered with the British Mountaineering Council and Mountain Training Association. I will only ever operate in areas where I have experience of the terrain and local knowledge. I have also volunteered with my community walking group for since 2011, where I have organised and led innumerable walks and expeditions across the whole of northern England, many areas of Scotland and Eryri/Snowdonia in North Wales. I also have a lot of personal experience in walking, wild camping and completing solo expeditions in these areas.
In that time, I have been lucky enough to spend time out on the hills and mountains with many people of different backgrounds and abilities. This experience has enabled me to develop an extensive knowledge of particular outdoor areas, and a penchant for designing routes that are both scenic and interesting. There are often places of historical or geological interest along the way and I enjoy sharing my knowledge of the landscape, history, industry, wildlife and geology.
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​Once a place has been booked on any activity.
I will personally contact each participant by email with any relevant information to the specific activity. The booking system will email participants a ticket but there is no need to present this when attending an activity. Participants will be sent thorough information and a Participation Consent Form that should be completed in good time before any activity takes place. This will ask for important medical information, important contact details and also request consent for me to give first aid where necessary, take any photographs (or not) and anything else relevant.
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Thank you for reading and I hope to see you on the activity.
COLIN - MOORS TO MOUNTAINS.