Scholes RFM Blue Line Walking with the kids
Scholes
RFM Blue Line
Walking with the kids
29/12/25
Another dry, cool, quiet December day for a walk in the old West Riding, whatever happened to winter.
All my walks are adventures and this one was no different. Basically up one long hill and down again going from farmland to moorland.
We parked near an unusual looking chapel in Scholes, didn't even look religious.
Crossing the bridge near Paris, always thought it was in France, the stream was a long way below the bridge. Typically a very steep valley but in this case with lots of houses.
We enjoyed this view across the valley as it shows Hullock where Lacey and I walked a couple of weeks ago. The kids are starting to appreciate the continuity of the blue line walks. As one walk touches another or is in view from another it some how enhances the experience, it almost makes it more important.
The road to Totties had many points of interest. I loved the owl.
The workers cottages along the lane as we left this upmarket village had all been soundly re-developed for a different class of workers. Pretty soon the lane became rural and the views were so lush, vibrantly green.
As we passed the rabbit warren most of the rabbits scurried away but this brave one continued foraging. Its good that the girls encounter such wild events, educational but more than that, interesting.
This pleasant somewhat muddy lane was a joy to travel over and the gentle rise of the hill was almost undetectable.
What value mentally can you place upon walking up such a lane past curious horses and friendly robins. We band of walkers know instinctively that this is one of the key motivators to get out there and how splendid it is.
I just love Robins.
Hullock appeared again further away to our left. This is a muddy lane and the girls lagged behind taking photos or negotiating their way. The lady on the horse was happy to chat and happy to be out there with us.
We continued past Larch House along the ridge line past Ryecroft up to Scholes Moor steadily climbing up along this very pleasant valley side.
The first picture in this group looks like a footpath but there is no footpath on the map and all the prints were sheep hoof prints so it was obviously just a sheep track. Still good fun to come across.
This felt like a really old route and it almost looked Roman.
The higher we go the better the views.
The abandoned cottages looked like they had been occupied until recently. The access is poor or I am sure they would have been renovated.
The windmill had a plaque declaring it was a community windmill.
We headed still upwards towards Hade Edge past the reservoir at Strines Moor. I have driven through Hade Edge thousands of times but this was the first time on foot.
I liked Hade Edge, the tractor is unlikely to move again, the chapel needs repurposing, the road up to the moor is straight as an arrow and the houses modern and old were really interesting with towers and unusual windows and doors.
A cat in a field was interesting and we watched it for a while before deciding to photograph it when it promptly left the scene.
We finally reached the summit of this long long hill and paused for a coffee and snack break. Sharing the picnic place with a Robin (who shared our fare) and suitably refreshed we set off again. Lola really needed the break but soon revived but make no mistakes Lacey and I may have made it look easy but this was a very energy sapping 4 mile climb, so well done Lola. More hills stronger legs.
Heading back down Snittel Road we encountered many dog walkers and a group of off road bikers.
We passed the farm at Wild Boar Clough and encountered a few Herdwick sheep one of which was making a noise like a prolonged wet fart. He made us laugh.
We recrossed the busy Penistone road and then our encounters with mire and mud really began. Lola was up to her ankle in one slip and we had to be careful to cross the sodden land.
The path varied a lot with a couple of steep short slopes, mistletoe on the trees and a griffin on a roof on an isolated house.
The fields were muddy, very muddy and we happily wandered back towards Scholes just a short distance down a valley.
The path took a steep downward turn towards the valley and along part of the Kirklees Way.
The hut along side the path down to the stream should have given us a clue the sign saying Mr Troll. There was a dragon skull in the garden.
This was a magical place with the landscape of all the woodland mythical creatures being in place so imaging trolls and goblins was not difficult. The photos do not create the atmosphere of the place as it was almost a wonderland to be explored and we just scraped the surface. The girls clamboured up and down the steep muddy path and stepped from slippy boulder to slippy boulder crossing the stream on bridges and stepping stones and did it without any real mishaps. A couple of slips but no damage done. It was fun but tough going.
The final sting in the tail of this walk was a steep climb up the road to Scholes and our car.
The final sting in the tail of this walk was a steep climb up the road to Scholes and our car.
OS Map
https://explore.osmaps.com/route/30042653/scholes-rfm-blue-line?lat=53.56095&lon=-1.76827&zoom=13.7732&style=Leisure&type=2d
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