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. |
| Maps | OS Landranger 103, 109 and 110, OS Explorer OL1 and OL 21, Harvey’s Pennine Way South |
| Refreshments | A snack van might be parked at Bleakedgate. The White House pub near Blackstone Edge. Plenty of choice off-route at Hebden Bridge. |
This is a relatively easy stretch of the Pennine Way. Low, gently rolling moorlands give way to the rough and rocky crest of Blackstone Edge. A series of firm, level tracks follow reservoir drains and cross reservoir dams, where it is possible to stride out with confidence and pick up speed. The stout stone monument of Stoodley Pike is seen from time to time. Pennine wayfarers tend to agree that it never seems to draw nearer! At the end of the day there is a descent into post-industrial Calderdale via Callis Bridge. Alternatively, the bustling little town of Hebden Bridge and all its facilities can be reached by using the recently signposted and waymarked Hebden Bridge Loop.
If you have stayed in Diggle, retrace your steps to return to the starting point at Standedge. Start where the Pennine Way crosses the busy A62 road on Standedge, following a clear track uphill. Keep straight ahead at a junction, and keep straight ahead when the Pennine Way and Pennine Bridleway run concurrent for a short distance. At the top of this track, the Pennine Way turns right as signposted, while the Pennine Bridleway continues straight ahead. Following the Pennine Bridleway for 1.5km (1 mile) leads to Wellcroft House B&B, near a crossroads at Bleak Hey Nook.
The Pennine Bridleway and Pennine Way are both National Trails. For the most part, they remain separate while pursuing parallel courses. On a few occasions, they run concurrent for short distances. While the Pennine Way has half a century of history behind it, the Pennine Bridleway is still evolving. It has been opened piecemeal since 2002, and at the time of writing currently starts near Matlock and finishes near Kirkby Stephen. The trail will ultimately extend into Northumberland.
The well-worn path leads away from the track, up a grassy slope. Cross a stile and follow the line of a fence, then cross another stile and climb uphill as a low, rocky edge develops along Standedge. A trig point is passed at 448m (1470ft). The path continues gently, becoming broad and stony, with a low rocky edge to the left and denuded peat to the right. A dip is reached where a stone marks the Oldham Way down
