I named this the Whelley Loop but really it is only part of it, the full route goes North up to Bottling Wood in Whelley.
All the same, the Whelley Loop is a path formed from an old railway line first opened in 1886. It allowed trains to travel between Blackburn and St Helens bypassing the ever busy centre of Wigan. I t thrived as a freight line until the 1970’s was closed then briefly opened again from 1972 until 1976 before closing for good. Now a footpath and cycle path it forms forms part of the National Cycle Route 55 which when complete will connect Ironbridge to Preston
As I was so captivated by Amberswood I investigated this path which I guessed would be another entrance to it this time in Hindley just off Wigan Road 53.53692, -2.5886. Sure enough the path led directly down to Amberswood all be it after a fair walk down a very straight track. Having not explored the area we followed our noses, turned left at the end of the track eventually coming out on Liverpool Road. We took a cut through the woods on a very rutted surface (boggy in winter I guess) and eventually came back to the foot of the original track walked up the hill and back to the car park.
All in all just a mile and a half mooch and potter but enjoyable all the same.
Around and about you may spot flora and fauna such as
- Hedgehogs
- Water Voles
- Willow Tits
- Great Crested Newts – rare elsewhere but thriving in the North West
- Common Reeds
- Fly agaric
