LITMIR.BIZ

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      Black Moss and Swellands reservoirs, along with four others, were constructed on the high moors to supply the Huddersfield Narrow Canal. A system of drains catches little streams and feeds the water into the reservoirs. Black Moss Reservoir has a dam at either end, being constructed on a broad moorland gap. The dam of Swellands Reservoir broke in November 1810, sending a deluge of peaty water down to Marsden, where it caused great damage in what was called ‘The Night of the Black Flood’.

      Walk straight down a broad and clear path. This makes a couple of loops round little side valleys to reach the dam of Wessenden Reservoir. Follow a track downhill from the dam, catching a glimpse of Wessenden Lodge behind tall deer fences. The track rises gently to reach a signpost. At this point, turn left for the Pennine Way, down a path on a steep slope of bracken. Be sure to make this turn if staying on the main route.

      Off-route to Marsden

      Marsden lies 3km (2 miles) off-route, with a descent of 140m (460ft). If planning to visit Marsden, at this point you keep straight along the track. After passing Wessenden Lodge, simply follow the clear track down through the valley. Pass Blakeley Reservoir and follow the track onwards past Butterley Reservoir. Turn left when a road is reached, and while this could be followed into town, turn left down a flight of 211 stone steps instead. Turn right to follow a track through a wood before passing between tall mills on the outskirts of Marsden. Turn left down a road and pass a small roundabout. Follow Fall Lane and fork left to pass through a tunnel. Turn right along Towngate to follow a river into the town centre.

      In the past Pennine wayfarers frequently visited Marsden, however, numbers reduced after its youth hostel closed. There are a few other accommodation options, however, and this is a ‘Walkers are Welcome’ town, www.marsdenwalkersarewelcome.talktalk.net. Facilities include a post office, shops, pubs, cafés, an information point (tel 01484 845595) and a Co-op with a cashpoint. Regular daily buses link Marsden with Huddersfield, Standedge, Diggle and Manchester. Regular daily trains link Marsden with Manchester and Huddersfield.

      The detour to Marsden leaves Pennine wayfarers in a quandary. Should they walk back to Wessenden to pick up the route? Catch a bus or short-cut to Standedge? The following route is a direct short-cut, measuring 3km (2 miles) back to the Pennine Way, with an ascent of 150m (490ft).

      Leave Marsden by walking along Towngate, climbing beside the churchyard to reach the main A62 road. Cross the road and climb a short way up Old Mount Road. Turn right where a signpost indicates a ‘public footpath’ and follow a track towards an isolated house. Turn left before the house as indicated by a marker post. The way is overgrown for a bit until a stile is crossed. A deep-cut, rushy groove climbs up a grassy slope, with fine views of Marsden and its mills. Keep to the left of the groove to follow a track up to a farmhouse.

      Go through gates to pass the farmhouse and climb straight up another grassy slope. Pick up and follow another path in a groove, passing through a gate and climbing to join a broad, clear, stony track. Follow this straight ahead, gently uphill, with fine views back to Marsden, as well as to Black Hill and the moors above Wessenden. The track levels out and rejoins Old Mount Road, which itself drops down to another road.

      Cross the road to reach a public footpath sign, and drop down a little to cross a stream. Climb a little and keep right, watching for a grassy path and a marker post. Simply walk straight ahead, gently up the moorland slope, always following the grassy path. After crossing a crest, Redbrook Reservoir comes into view. The path runs along an embankment, and there is a prominent notch where a stream crosses. Beyond this is a clear track, which is the Pennine Way, leading directly to Standedge at 387m (1270ft). There are bus stops beside the main A62 road, for those intending to leave the route.

      Main Route to Standege

      Cross a footbridge and climb steeply up a rugged path on a slope of heather. The gradient eases at a stone-built structure, where there is a view down the valley to Blakeley Reservoir. The path is almost level as it reaches a stream. Cross it and climb stone steps, then continue along a flagstone path through bracken. A length of stony path is followed by more flagstones, and Black Moss is surely misnamed when masses of white bog cotton nod in the breeze. Pule Hill is seen across Swellands Reservoir, while the Pennine Way crosses a dam on Black Moss Reservoir, where there are a couple of small sandy beaches.

      Overshoot the end of the dam before turning left. The path follows a fence to a corner. Keep straight ahead before turning right up a flagstone path, going through a gate in a fence from grassy moorland to heather moorland. Walk downhill and go through another gate, back onto grassy moorland. The flagstones end at a small stream, where a left turn leads up a track on a stout embankment overlooking Redbrook Reservoir, another feeder for the Huddersfield Narrow Canal. The track leads up through a gate, crossing a crest parallel to the busy A62 road, which runs through a deep cutting. Turn right and walk parallel to the main road to reach the Carriage House. Descend to the roadside beside Brunclough Reservoir at Standedge, at 387m (1270ft). The Peak District National Park ends beside the main road.

      STANDEDGE

      There are no facilities where the Pennine Way crosses the road at Standedge, so extra distance must be covered in search of accommodation, food and drink. Following the main road is not recommended, as it is too busy. However, there are regular buses. The Carriage House, beyond Redbrook Reservoir, is a popular choice, offering accommodation, food, drink and a campsite. Anyone heading further off-route to either Marsden or Diggle can either catch a bus, or, if they insist on walking, use the route descriptions offered here.

      There are actually four tunnels under Standedge, all measuring a little over 5km (3 miles) in length. A narrow canal tunnel was constructed first, between 1794 and 1811. It was the highest canal in Britain at 147m (645ft) above sea level, but also the deepest underground, lying 145m (638ft) below Standedge. A single-track rail tunnel was cut between 1846 and 1849, followed by another one between 1868 and 1870. A twin-track rail tunnel was built last, between 1890 and 1894. Dozens of transverse tunnels link all four tunnels together, primarily between the rail tunnels and the canal tunnel, for the purpose of extracting waste. The Standedge Tunnel Visitor Centre (open throughout the year, free entry, tel 01484 844298, canalrivertrust.org.uk/standedge-tunnel) is only a short stroll from Marsden.

      Alternative finish at Diggle

      Diggle lies 2.5km (1½ miles) off-route, with a descent of 180m (590ft). To continue to Diggle, don’t cross the main road at Standedge but walk between the road and Brunclough Reservoir. Walk down from the reservoir to a clear track to find a Pennine Bridleway signpost. Turn left down a track marked for Diggle, passing a derelict house. Turn right at a marker post and stay on the clearest path downhill, passing a spoil heap and reaching a house on the hillside. Continue down a walled and fenced track past fields, reaching a tarmac road at the Diggle Hotel. Turn right at a road junction to cross a railway then turn left to walk into Diggle.

      Entrance to the Huddersfield Canal tunnel at Diggle

      Diggle has two pubs, a fish and chip shop, a small shop, post office and a couple of places offering accommodation. Buses run regularly through the village, linking Manchester, Standedge, Marsden and Huddersfield. The entrances to the railway and canal tunnels are fairly close together.

DAY 3

      Standedge to Callis Bridge or Hebden Bridge

Start	A62 road, Standedge, SE 018 095
Alternative start	Diggle, SE 003 080
Finish	Callis Bridge, SD 971 264
Alternative finish	Hebden Bridge, SD 991 272
Distance	24km (15 miles); Hebden Bridge 24.5km (15¼ miles)
Total ascent	360m (1180ft)
Total descent	630m (2065ft)
Time	7hrs 30mins; Hebden Bridge 7hrs 45mins
Terrain	Gentle moorland walking on good paths gives way to rugged paths on Blackstone Edge. Broad, firm, level reservoir tracks allow speedy progress. Moorland paths and farm tracks later, with an option to follow the Hebden Bridge Loop.
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