| Walk: | Pennine Way, Walshaw Dean Reservoir, Withins Heights, Top Withens, Leeshaw Reservoir, Stairs Lane, Walshaw | ||
| Start Point: | Gorple Reservoir car park | Grid Reference: | SD 947 323 |
| Distance: | 12 miles | Ascent: | 2,000 feet |
| Time: | 6.25 hours | ||
| Weather: | A cold day with a strong South Westerly wind. Fine weather until mid afternoon when we experienced a few showers, although these cleared to give a dry finish. | ||
| Comments: | Eight walkers attended and with the wind behind us we made good time on the outward trek following the Pennine Way. The early conditions rewarded us with wonderful views of the Walshaw Dean Reservoirs and Upper Calderdale. After the morning break we continue to Upper Heights Farm where we left the Pennine Way to descend into South Dean Valley. Crossing the Bronte Bridge the route passed the Bronte Falls to Penistone Hill. After a short tour of the Penistone Country Park we continued past Leeshaw Reservoir to climb Stairs Lane. From the Top o’ Stairs we descended into the Crimsworth Dean valley and crossed the Grainwater Bridge. Following the track around Shackleton Moor we continued to Walshaw Farm. Passing through the farm we followed the road into the valley of Alconden Water where we rejoined the Pennine Way to return to the start. | ||
Scroll down to see photos of the walk
We leave the car park to join the Pennine Way . . .
and climb up to Walshaw Dean Lower Reservoir . . .
which we walk along the side of . . .
before looking back across it
The water overflows from Walshaw Dean Middle Reservoir to the Lower Reservoir
Walshaw Dean Middle Reservoir dam
Looking back across the Middle reservoir, the rhododendrons along both sides promise a spectacular site when in flower
The Pennine Way over Withins Heights
Top Withens . . .
and its informative plaque
Coffee break at Top Withens
Crossing the Bronte Bridge
Dropping down to Bronte Falls
we dropped down to Leeshaw reservoir . . .
Looking back from Peniston Hill Country Park
Climbing Stairs Lane
Debbie admires the view as we break for lunch on "Top-o-stairs"
before the last climb round Shackleton Knoll . . .
Stoodley Pike comes into view as we head back . . .
along the causeway leading to the valley of Alconden Water, eventually joining the Pennine Way