Saddleworth Circular

Date of Walk : Sunday 21st October

Distance : 17.5 miles

Route : Shaw - Crompton Moor - Denshaw - Castleshaw - Standedge - Diggle - Uppermill - Dobcross - Delph - Denshaw - Crompton Moor - Shaw

The weather was unbelievable for October so the day couldn't be wasted. The plan was to go over the top of Crompton Moor (The same route as my last walk with Beth) and then head over to Castleshaw in the next valley via the village of Denshaw. From Castleshaw I went to the top of Standedge and then moved down the valley and followed the Huddersfield Canal all the way down to the outskirts of Uppermill. From here I picked up the old railway track (know locally as The Delph Donkey) and from Delph I continued up the valley and returned to Denshaw before heading back over Crompton Moor to home.

Residents of the llama farm in Denshaw.

Looking down to Castleshaw.

Castleshaw

There was once a Roman fort here.

The entrance to Standedge Tunnel.

The canal towpath on the route from Diggle to Uppermill

'The Delph Donkey'

Flickr Album - Saddleworth Circular - 21 October 2007

Crompton Moor and beyond

Date of Walk : Sunday 14th October

Distance : 8.7 miles

Beth was out with me today so we walked over Crompton Moor and did a circuit of the reservoirs in the Piethorne valley. (Rooden, Kitcliffe, Piethorne and Ogden) We walked back through the woods but she was feeling a little tired so walked back along the main road from Ogden Reservoir.

Looking down to Ogden Reservoir from the path on Crompton Moor.

Beth with the mast at Summit (J22 of the M62) visible in the distance.

Which way is it?


Shall I leave you here?


Flickr Album - Crompton Moor and Reservoirs

Black Hill & Chew Reservoir

Date of Walk : Sunday 30th.September

Distance : 13.5 miles

This was an excellent ramble with super weather for the end of September. It sort of covers a couple of walks I have done before. I parked at Binn Green, but walked round the reservoir and up the road rather than going over the moors. This doesn't make it as exciting, but probably knocks about an hour off the walk. Once at Chew Reservoir I continued towards Laddow Rocks and then picked up the Pennine Way and followed this up to the A635 (the main road between Greenfield and Holmfirth)

Chew Reservoir

Looking back to Chew Reservoir

Looking down the valley towards Crowden from Laddow Rocks

Crowden Great Brook

Black Hill summit

Looking down to Dovestones Reservoir from the A635 road

Flickr Album - Chew Reservoir & Black Hill - 30 Sept 2007

Easdale Tarn

Date of Walk : Wednesday 29th August

Distance : 6 miles

This walk was a request from Beth as it was the very first walk she did in the Lakes. It was quite interesting to watch as she raced ahead as she knew the route even without looking at the map. It was extremely busy on the way up but we went back down on the other side of the valley and hardly met a soul. I don't know why so many people go up and down on the same path. Beth had the same complaint as yesterday saying the walk was too short!! She'll be running up Blencathra soon at the rate she's going. Sadly this walk signalled the end of our Lakes trip but we'll back soon. Hopefully our next trip will be at October half term but we might manage to sneak a weekend in before then.

Sourmilk Ghyll and Beth

Looking down the valley

Easdale Tarn

A well earned rest.

Flickr Album - Easdale Tarn - 29 Aug 2007

Loweswater

Date of Walk : Tuesday 28th August

Distance : 3.6 miles

Just a short walk around Loweswater which is a walk that Beth enjoys especially as her older brothers who I could never get to walk complained it was too far last time we walked round!! She also complained saying it was too short.

Flickr Album - Loweswater - 28 Aug 2007

Castle Crag

Date of Walk : Saturday 25th August

Distance : 4.9 miles

After a few days camping, myself and Beth headed up to my Dad's house on the Solway. It's really handy because we can stay in the Lakes even when the weather doesn't allow and even better, after camping it allows the use of a washing machine. My dad is recovering from a serious Achilles problem so wanted a short walk to see how it was bearing up. We didn't follow the Wainwright's Walk route but parked at Seatoller and after climbing Castle Crag walked towards Grange and then followed the river back to Seatoller village where we encountered our only rain during our 8 days in the Lakes. Well we were in Borrowdale so what do you expect?

Our target can now be seen.

Derwent Water

Beth on top of the cairn.

Typical Borrowdale weather

Flickr Album - Castle Crag - 25 Aug 2007

Tarn Hows

Date of Walk : Thursday 23 August

Distance : 7.9 miles

This walk was further than I initially planned but so what. Beth had never been to Tarn Hows but we both fancied a walk. We set off from Hawkshead village rather than driving up and then walked round the tarn. We returned through the woods and walked a little towards Coniston, but decided that was a little too far for Beth so re-routed back to Hawkshead. Sometimes I forget she's only 9!!

Hawkshead Church

Not a bad spot for lunch and Kendal Mint Cake.

Flickr Album - Tarn Hows - 23 Aug 2007

Helm Crag

Date of Walk : Wednesday 22 August

Distance : 6.9 miles

Beth had often observed the top of Helm Crag when we passed through Grasmere by car and so I had suggested one day we went up. Having also seen the walk on TV a few days before going to the Lakes also had her asking to walk up there again. We did the walk setting off from just before White Moss Common. I ended up parked in a layby rather than using my National Trust membership as both car parks were full.

Looking at the top of Helm Crag from Grasmere village.

Contrary to rumours, my recent car problems weren't caused by ignoring this sign!!

I think someone is enjoying herself.

A rare picture of yours truly.

Flickr Album - Helm Crag - 22 Aug 2007

Water Water Water

Date of Walk : Sunday 29th July

Distance : 17 miles

Route : Shaw - Crompton Moor - Rooden Reservoir - Piethorne Reservoir - Rakewood - Hollingworth Lake - Milnrow - Tunshill - Kitcliffe Reservoir - Piethorne Reservoir - Rooden Reservoir - Crompton Moor - Shaw

This was an extremely long walk but with the golden ball finally arriving in the sky and no sign of rain, one had to take advantage. The initial plan was to head past the reservoirs and go to Summit (the top of the M62 for those that know it). However, upon arriving at the path to Summit which goes over Windy Hill I was met by a 3 foot deep puddle which I could just about cope with but I also came across a group of quad bikes and wanted a peaceful walk rather than to spend the route dodging bikers. I head off the beaten track to avoid these sort of numbskulls!! Hence I decided to walk down to Hollingworth Lake which was far too busy for my liking (OMG, I'm sounding like a grumpy old man and I'm only 37!!) but once I followed the track to Milnrow it became a lot more peaceful. After this I crossed the M62 (not literally) and the remainder of the route was almost a repeat of the beginning although I varied the path to make it a little more interesting.

The mast at Summit which was one of my original targets.

An un-named reservoir on the OS map, but I found it was actually ......

...... Hanging Lees

The first crossing of the M62 is going under it, with Hollingworth Lake visible in the distance.


The camera never lies. Believe it or not this shot was taken about 100 yards from the M62.

Hollingworth Lake from the path towards Milnrow.


I'd be 5 mins from home if I was on the M62 rather than crossing it by foot.

I think these are my footprints 4 hours apart!

Flickr Album - Reservoir Round - 29 July 2007