From the Headquarters (GR 613264) turn RIGHT . Ahead for ¾ mile then RIGHT at SANDY LANE (B5256). After approx. 200 yards LEFT at footpath sign to stile. AHEAD crossing more stiles and keeping fence on RIGHT to canal towpath. RIGHT and AHEAD for approx. 1½ miles to BRIDGE NUMBERED 86 (seventh bridge incl. Motorway bridge). Leave canal at this bridge and AHEAD on track/lane to A674 (CHECKPOINT 1.) Golden Lion GR 609223.
RIGHT along pavement for approx. ¼ mile to double footpath sign on RIGHT. LEFT across road then AHEAD along drive to house facing, 'THE BARN'. Take narrow footpath to RIGHT of house and over stile. RIGHT across two fields to stile at wall. AHEAD through kissing gate then further kissing gate LEFT of house. AHEAD on track to road. RIGHT to (CHECKPOINT 2.) DRESSERS ARMS GR 604212.
RETRACE on road uphill for ½ mile to junction of HARBOUR LANE & BRIERS BROW. Fork RIGHT on lane to stile between houses. Diagonally LEFT and downhill to cross stile at junction of fences. AHEAD with fence on RIGHT to stile, footbridge and lane. RIGHT and AHEAD to road at bend (½ mile). AHEAD to road junction then LEFT to (CHECKPOINT 3.) Former Railway Inn GR 611197.
AHEAD towards White Coppice, after about 200 yards the first refreshment stop at CAUSEWAY FARM. From there RIGHT at the first footpath sign (at bend). Downhill between farm buildings to cross causeway. Immediately LEFT over stile and AHEAD, with reservoir on LEFT, crossing two footbridges to road. Turn RIGHT and go 200 yards on road, at LEFT-HAND bend (footpath sign) take drive opposite to WHITE COPPICE FARM. RIGHT to pass in front of barn conversion and AHEAD uphill with fence on LEFT to farm gate LEFT of circular water trough. AHEAD with wall on RIGHT to stile. Bear slightly LEFT to stile near wall. AHEAD with wall on LEFT to opening. LEFT to stony track then RIGHT to road.
LEFT for a few yards, over stile on RIGHT and AHEAD for approx. ¾ mile to Nature Trail signpost on right. Here turn LEFT with dam wall on RIGHT. AHEAD uphill (ignore track to right) to gate and kissing gate to road. Turn RIGHT along road to sharp right hand bend. Here AHEAD through gate on wide, stony track bearing RIGHT at farm gate/stile down concessionary path to cross bridge. LEFT uphill on track and over stile. AHEAD on wide track for 1 mile (Higher Hempshaw's) to derelict footbridge alongside track then LEFT uphill to junction of paths. RIGHT downhill to road (Hordern Stoops).
LEFT for approx. 100 yards and over stile on LEFT. AHEAD for approx. ¾ mile to stone steps on wall (GR 669163). Over and AHEAD to stile. RIGHT along narrow footpath leading to playing fields and children's play area on RIGHT. RIGHT after this to second refreshment stop. Proceed along path to road and LEFT to (CHECKPOINT 4.) Black Dog GR 674158.
LEFT uphill for approx. 500 yards to (CHECKPOINT 5.) Belmont Bull GR 673163
Cross road, LEFT on pavement to gap in wall on RIGHT and down to reservoir road. Turn RIGHT across dam and where road turns sharp RIGHT, here LEFT and AHEAD on hard surface track to farm. Through double farm gate on RIGHT past farmhouse and AHEAD to junction of paths. LEFT along Catherine Edge, passing derelict Lower Pasture Barn Farm on RIGHT, to junction of paths ({?} mile GR 667190). RIGHT and AHEAD uphill (Ignore track on left) onto narrow rough track to opening in wall. AHEAD for 50 yards to SECOND PILE OF STONE. LEFT across moor passing former mine workings to cross stile near gate. AHEAD to just beyond where track dips to junction of paths. LEFT and AHEAD beyond seat on LEFT and through gate. Bear RIGHT at next seat and stone Darwen Tower indicator (GR 674204). AHEAD downhill to gate and track. LEFT through trees to wooden gate, ahead to (CHECKPOINT 6.) Royal Arms GR 665215.
Turn right on footpath alongside of pub. AHEAD bearing LEFT through farm area. At second gate (waymarked) RIGHT and AHEAD keeping wall/fence on RIGHT, through 2 stiles, and eventually uphill to small gate. Cross track, after 10 yards cross stile at top of banking on RIGHT, crossing stiles to gate and broad track.
Left for approx. 100 yards. Over stile on RIGHT. AHEAD uphill to wall keeping it on LEFT to cross stile in corner. Bear slightly LEFT downhill, across extended golf course, to cross stile on LEFT at bottom of new fence. RIGHT to cross further stile and AHEAD bearing slightly LEFT downhill to wooden stile in corner near solitary tree and new metal gate. AHEAD on broad track to road. LEFT for approx. 100 yards to (CHECKPOINT 7.) Rock Inn GR 663233.
AHEAD in same direction for 300 yards to third refreshment stop at Tockholes Village Hall. RIGHT downhill on road to junction of roads. LEFT past church and LEFT after cottages. At end of high stone wall on right turn RIGHT along broad track bearing LEFT with dwellings on RIGHT. Along walled footpath to stile. RIGHT and AHEAD past pond on right to derelict wall. Here, diagonally LEFT passing way marker post to stile in fence. LEFT to further stile. RIGHT on wide rough/hard surfaced track for approx. ¾ mile to (CHECKPOINT 8.) Hare & Hounds GR 643224. (CUT-OFF TIME 17.00 HOURS)
Cross road then RIGHT to fourth refreshment stop. Proceed in same direction to (CHECKPOINT 9) The Royal GR 640228.
Cross road, turn LEFT then RIGHT at footpath sign on broad track for approx. ½ mile to reservoir. Cross wail of dam, over stile then bear LEFT, up short climb to pasture. LEFT keeping trees on LEFT to stile. Cross bridge over disused railway line, (SP W.W. Way). AHEAD and cross stile. Bear RIGHT downhill to cross footbridge. Follow path uphill and, just beyond big holly tree on RIGHT; turn LEFT at junction of paths. Continue uphill and cross stile FACING. RIGHT and AHEAD with fence on RIGHT, under Motorway Bridge then immediately LEFT uphill to gap in wall & footpath sign. RIGHT downhill to cross canal bridge to towpath. AHEAD in same direction for approx. 1¼ miles. RIGHT on obscure path at mooring sign at the end of the fence. AHEAD, (WIRELESS TRANSMITTERS ON LEFT), to road. LEFT to cross road at '40' sign. LEFT on pavement to (CHECKPOINT 10.) Royal Oak GR 622255.
RIGHT alongside pub, cross stile and AHEAD crossing further stiles to Hoghton Tower drive, LEFT to road then RIGHT for approx. 300 yards to HEADQUARTERS GR 613264.