A Walk - Black Black Hill with Dave Colbert
12½ miles (20km) with 2,030ft (620m) Total Ascent
Black Hill has gained a somewhat notorious reputation, particularly for those walking the Pennine Way. It lies to the north of the Dark Peak plateau and in many respects is similar in appearance, straddling the main Pennine watershed between Oldham and Huddersfield. Here black really does mean black, especially the summit where the trig point stands isolated in an ocean of peat. But fear not, for much of the Pennine Way is now paved and in many respects, the horrors of Black Hill have now been consigned to the dustbin of antiquity.
We begin our ascent from Crowden in Longdendale, following the Pennine Way northwards up the valley of Crowden Brook, ascending gradually to Laddow Rocks and then across the wild, open moorland of Grains Moss. From the summit at 582m/1,909ft, we keep with the Pennine Way as it descends into Dean Clough before climbing again to the A635 at Wessenden Head. Turning eastwards, we now follow the Kirklees Way above Marsden Clough, eventually reaching the small settlement with the rather quaint name of Flush House. The Hills and Hamlets Walk then takes us to the village of Upperthong, from where it is down hill all the way into the centre of Holmfirth and some liquor, wine or otherwise!
B+ Walk - First of the Winter Beer with Val Walmsley
12 miles (19km) with 1462ft (445m) Total Ascent
From Holmfirth Information Centre we set forth going west along Ill Lane to Upperthong. From here we join a path south to Holmbridge via Carr Green. Crossing the river Holme we pick up the Holme Valley Circular walk going south before turning east onto the Kirklees way. We now turn south again to the Holme valley, passing Ellentree Brow before turning north at Snittlegate to once again join the Kirklees Way at Spring Head. Still heading north we proceed to Hepworh from where we follow a winding route via Hullock, Mear House and Hoole Bottom to New Mill.
Finally we turn west to Holmfirth via Wooldale and Newgate, for you've guessed it ......“First of the Winter beer”.
B Walk - Spirits of the Rocks with Judith & Stuart
8 miles (12.9km) with 700ft (213m) Total Ascent
This is a circular walk starting and finishing in the centre of Holmfirth.
The majority of the climbing is unfortunately right at the start as we ascend via a back road to the top of Cinder hills. The walk then takes us via Hollin Hill Farm on a stony track across Scholes Moor to the Bay Horse pub which is in the process of being refurbished. Here we cross the main road and drop down to the reservoir at the bottom of Hollin Hill. We then follow the Kirklees Way and the Holme Valley C W past Elysium, Upper White Gate farm and Moss Edge farm. Here we drop down to the hamlet of Dobb through Waterside and from there across to Hinchcliffe Mill where we pick up the Hills and Hamlets walk path for our return to Holmfirth.
C Walk - Last of the Summer Wine with Roy Smith
5 miles (8km) with 550ft (167m) Total Ascent
The walk today is a circular walk starting from the centre of Holmfirth (toilets available - 20p).
From our drop-off point we make our way uphill, along a minor road, until we emerge at Holt. Here we turn north east and make our way down a well used track which leads to Back Lane. During this part of the walk we should get some very impressive views over the local area. After reaching the end of the track we have a short road walk, through the village of Upperthong, before walking downhill and crossing the A635. A lovely woodland track now takes us to Liphill Bank. From here we have a short uphill climb and walk through fields, until we are able to make our way downhill to emerge at Upper Stubbin. Our walk now takes us back to Holmfirth along the side of the river Holme.
