Johnson's Hillock - Walk Guide - Section 07
When you have descended into the valley bear left over a stile and then enter the footpath tunnel under the motorway. This is made from concrete with a good surface to the footpath and is excellent for echoes. At the far end of the tunnel the River Lostock is on your right. It passes under the old canal, which was on an embankment directly in front of you, in a stone culvert or tunnel.
Over the two centuries since the culvert was built, stalactites have built up on the surface of the stone in the culvert. Lime has leached out of the mortar used for constructing the stonework and has covered some of the stonework in a quarter-inch high wave-like formation, as well as small stalactites. It is a pity it is so difficult to enter the culvert, which feels damp and gloomy, just like a canal tunnel.
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After inspecting the culvert, retrace your footsteps back through the motorway tunnel and then follow the footpath to the left over the river and up the valley. This part of the walk can be quite muddy, and horses sometimes graze in the fields here. There are several stiles on the footpath, which recrosses the river after about 600 metres on a wooden bridge which has a narrow restriction and stile to keep animals from using it. After crossing the river, there is a fence about thirty yards away to the left with two stiles. The left-hand stile gives the best access to the footpath which continues up till it meets the road. If you use the right-hand stile, you have to cross a very marshy part of the field which can be wet even in dry summer weather. The path end sat a road, a bridge on your left carrying it over the River Lostock. A tall chimney on the hill side nearby served Denham Springs print works, a textile printing factory which closed over one hundred years ago. Do not cross the bridge, but continue up the road to the right, taking care to listen for traffic, and you will return to the start of the walk at Top Locks.
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