2nd February 2020
Coach Trip to Marsden West Yorkshire
B Walk. Chris Thornley 9 Miles Moderate
Starting from Marsden, we follow the Kirklees Way over Slaithwaite Moor to Cupwith Reservoir. Continue to Deanhead Reservoir and the western bank of Scammonden Water. We then cross the embankment, which carries the M62, to the eastern side of Scammonden Water. We then continue along the shore to the sailing club, and take a path up Redgate Lane to the A640. We then follow the road a short way and pick up a path along Burnt Plats Lane. We continue to Intake Road and Ainley Place, then drop down Heys Lane into the small town of Slaithwaite. We will then pick up the Huddersfield Narrow Canal and follow it back into Marsden. Quite a lot of the walk is on decent surfaces to try to avoid the mud as much as possible, but inevitably, there are some muddy sections.
C Walk. Leader Frank Mason 7 miles Moderate
We start the walk in Marsden passing the industrial society buildings and through Bank Bottom Mill buildings to Butterley Reservoir Dam then up the steps on to the Kirklees Way. From here we go south to the top of Blakeley Reservoir turning right on to the Pennine Way over Marsden Moor for about 2 miles then we go by Redbrook Reservoir along to the Standedge Trail. We cross Mount Road towards Hades Farm taking field paths back to Marsden. Good views, two moderate climbs and muddy in places.
D Walk. Leader Carol Higgins 5.5 miles Moderate
A short walk along the canal towpath brings us to the Standedge Visitor Centre from where we cross rough pastureland as we head up to Lower Green Owlers and on to Hatter Lee. Here we set out across the moors, following a footpath along the edge of Haigh Clough until we reach March Haigh Reservoir. Turning south we continue across the moors until we reach the old packhorse route which we take to lead us down to the picturesque Eastgate Bridge. From here we pick up the Standedge Trail which leads us back to the canal. With good far reaching views towards Marsden and across the valley the route follows quiet country lanes, tracks and well walked moorland paths which are muddy in a couple of spots. There is one stile. Although the walk is short it takes into account that on the outward walk to the reservoir there are a couple of short uphill sections which we can take our time to do.
Pickup Times
Morning (Outward) Pick-Up Points
Blackburn Coach
08:00 Clitheroe : York Street
08:05 Whalley : King Street
08:10 Harwood : Nightingales Garage
08:20 Clayton : Hare and Hounds
08:25 Accrington : Victoria Hospital
08:30 Accrington :Whalley Rd, Kwik Fit
08:35 Oswaldtwistle : The Civic Theatre
08:40 Oswaldtwistle : Black Dog
08:50 Blackburn : Penny Street
08:50 Ewood : Empire Theatre
08:55 Darwen : Lynwood Avenue
09:00 Darwen : Boots Duckworth St
Burnley Coach
08:00 Nelson : Walton lane, Leeds Road
08:02 Colne : Colne Bus Station
08:05 Colne : Library
08:10 Colne : Alkincoates
08:15 Barrowford : Heritage Centre
08:20 Nelson : Bus Station
08:30 Brierfield : Town Hall
08:35 Burnley : Brennard Street
08:40 Burnley : Bus Station
08:40 Burnley : Tim Bobbin
08:45 Padiham : Whitegates
08:50 Padiham : Town Hall
09:00 Clayton : Hare and Hounds
