Standedge - Windy Hill Circular Walk

OS Map: South Pennines, Code OL21 (1:25000)

Start Grid Reference: SE 183 095

Walk distance:  12 miles

Date walked: 15th April 2012

Time: 4.75 hours approximately

Route: Self planned.

Most of the this walk is on the OS Map OL21 apart from the first few hundred yards, which is on OS Map OL1.  However, this part of the walk is very easy to negotiate without a map or at least with the google map.  It starts from the car park by Brun Clough Reservoir.  It is a free car park so no change is required.

View

The waypoints on the map have 10 figure grid references for use with GPS devices

This walk gives you a real moorland experience with views over Saddleworth and Lancashire.  This landscape needs to be experienced, I have never really been able to capture it in photographs.  Therefore for this walk there are fewer photos than usual.

Views from Standedge

Another view from Standedge

Not all of the walk is on the moors.  The middle part drops down to an area with many reservoirs.  Piethorne Reservoir is particularly picturesque with a Lancashire Wildlife Trust's reserve in the wood on its northern shore.

Piethorne Reservoir

Norman Hill Reservoir

Just beyond the telecommunication masts on Windy Hill the walk joins the Pennine Way which leads you all the way back to the car park by Brun Clough Reservoir.  Unfortunately there are no refreshments at the car park but there are two pubs, the Great Western and the Carriage House, a few hundred yards along the A62 in the direction of Huddersfield.

Win Hill Circular

OS Map: Title – The Peak District – The Dark Peak, Code OL1 (1:25000)

Start Grid Reference: SK 171835

Walk distance:  6.8 miles

Date walked: 21^st September 2011

Time: 5 hours approximately


Route: Taken from Walking in Derbyshire by Elaine Burkinshaw published by Cicerone

I first came to the Dark Peak in 1965, when I experienced the beautiful Lose Hill, Mam Tor, Lord's Seat ridge walk and the remote Kinder plateau.  That was the first time I saw Win Hill in the distance, but until this walk had never reached its summit.

The walk starts from the car park in the middle of Hope, there is a small charge so change is needed.

View Win Hill Circular in a larger map

The walk takes the road along the Edale Valley, then leaves it to cross the River Noe and go under the railway.  The path eventually leads to Titchwell Farm.  Following the edge of the wood the path opens up to reveal views of the Vale of Edale.

View from above Titchill Farm

View along the Vale of Edale

Lose Hill - Mam Tor Ridge

Above Titchill Farm the path actually walks away from Win Hill before turning back on itself to lead you to its 'peak'.  Only 426m high it seems higher and on this day in September it was extremely windy.

Approach to Win Hill

Trig Point on top of Win Hill

The walk takes you down from the hill, through the village of Aston to Hope Railway Station, where down the line you are rewarded with more views of Lose Hill.

View from Hope Station

The last bit of the walk takes you past the remains of the Navo Roman Fort.  I think they are just a few stones near this stile.

Site of the Navo Roman Fort.

The walk ends back at the car park, where you will be able to spend some time wandering around Hope Church.

Hope Church

Back in 1965 having completed my first walk in and around Edale Valley (30 miles), we stopped at Hope for a plate of beans on toast and a cup of tea.  That cafe is no longer there, but there are several more to reward yourself for completing a very pleasant walk.