| Walk: | Hebden Bridge | ||
| Start Point: | Railway Station car park | Grid Reference: | SD 995 269 |
| Distance: | 13.5 miles | Ascent: | 2,340 feet |
| Time: | 6 hours | ||
| Weather: | Glorious sun shine and blue skies, which were to stay with us all day. | ||
| Comments: | Eight set off walking through a quiet
and peaceful Hebden Bridge. A steep path climbed up through
Eaves Wood onto the cliffs above, from where there were clear views
across to Stoodley Pike monument and to the open moors ahead. The
path crossed farm land to join the Pennine Way, as it crossed Smithy
Lane and on up to Long High Top where we stopped for a deserving tea
/ coffee break. From here we took a diversion, leaving the Pennine
Way to cross rough boggy grassland, with no clear paths visible, up
to Standing Stone Hill: a summit clearly not frequently visited. Leaving Standing Stone Hill we dropped down to a track, the Pennine Bridleway, which we followed past Gorple Lower Reservoir to join the Pennine Way again leading up to Walshaw Dean Middle Reservoir. From here we followed a track leading past a shooting box which made a perfect lunch stop, as there were beautiful views over Walshaw Dean Middle & Upper Reservoirs. Views Eric was totally oblivious to! We continued along the Dean Gate track passing over High Rake, down to Walshaw Farm. From here we dropped down into Walshaw Woods, passing Hard Castle Craggs, and carried on down past Gibson Mill to New Bridge and back to a bustling Hebden Bridge full of Sunday sight seers. |
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Scroll down to see photos of the walk
Leaving the Rochdale canal at Hebden Bridge
To start the climb up a steep sided valley
There is a good view towards Todmorden
With Stoodley Pike in the distance
Ruth and Eric admire the view from the edge
Looking along the cliff path
The group stops for a breather after the climb up to the cliff path
Not a cloud in the sky as we join the Pennine way
Elevenses in the sunshine
Group shot on Standing Stone Hill
Gorple Lower Reservoir comes into view as we drop down off Standing Stone Hill
Gorple Lower Reservoir still has a layer of ice
Reflecting the blue sky as we cross the dam
Some may remember this Christmas tree (complete with lights) from Rays walk to Withins in 2008...
It's still there!!!!
Moorland reflections in the partly frozen Walshaw Dean lower reservoir
Heading onto the moors
During lunch, some people prefer to admire the scenery....
but some have other ideas!
Looking back from High Rake to Walshaw Dean Middle & Upper Reservoirs.
Crossing the moor on the Dean Gate track
We head back to Hebden Bridge via Hardcastle Crags.