Holymoorside RFM Blue Line

 

Holymoorside 
RFM Blue Line
02/03/26



This was the first walk of the year with a good amount of ascent and I was glad to complete it relatively easily. The bonus of reaching moor level again warmed the cockles.

Starting in Holymoorside the first part of this walk was a loop up Bage Hill to meet the route I took in the autumn last year. This was quite a steep little loop but the blue lines have to meet. I love the mossy rocks.

This little stream swollen after the recent rains is actually the upper reaches of the River Hipper. The old mill pond is now an angling venue.



Back into Holymoorside past the cemetery and then back down into the valley.


More mud, up and down through the woods past this fantastic old barn.

It was almost back to the start of the walk a lot of effort just to regain the important blue line.


The road all the way up to my turning was quiet mainly because it was closed. It was a long steady upward drag. I did pass a couple of friendly dog walkers. The countryside was geting higher and prettier.


As I walked down the steep slope to the river I disturbed a Barn Owl who flew majestically across the field into the woods. What a treat!


Hungerhill Lane was steep, very steep. I got a sweat on, good for the heart and lungs.


I loved this view of a derelict farm.


At the top of Hungerhill Lane, this old building, now adapted into a single dwelling, was fascinating to ponder as I tried to figure out how many cottages it had originally been.


Beyond the pond I could see an urban area in the valley in the far distance. I guessed it would be part of Chesterfield. I was starting to feel quite high up but I could see from the OS map route that there was still some height to gain before I reached todays peak.

Crossing Harewood Moor was an absolute pleasure. Its good to be on the high moors again. I heard a Curlew quite close by.


I regained the road I had left earlier at Harewood Grange and set off towards Beeley Moor.

I was passed by a few cyclists including this one passing by the tree severely infected with Mistletoe.
Finally I reached the most western point of the walk at a set of cross roads on Beeley Moor. This was an unusual walk in that since regaining this road the rest of the walk is all on tarmac. This was necessary as there were no footpaths available. Luckily these are quiet roads.

I could see the shapes of the hills to the west some of which I am sure I have hiked over. I wanted to go there but this walk was long enough without extending it. I had hoped to see Chatsworth but it was not visible.


I just love it up here.

This stream has the weird name of Hipper Sick and it is a tributory of that river. 

Its a long straight road back to Holymoorside. In the far distance I could see Chesterfield with the crooked spire just visible on the right.

I am sure this long straight road must be Roman. The road killed badger though sad to see does suggest they are present in numbers. I had seen, a little higher up the road, a huge badger sett next to the road.

These 2 followed be for ages down the hill and eventually passed me. They told me the beautiful horses were retired race horses. I love the avenue of trees stark and wonderful.


I really liked Holymoorside but it was time to get in the car and trundle off home.


9 miles and 1226 feet ascent is more like it. I loved the challenge and was pleased my winter walks had kept me relatively fit.

OS Map
https://explore.osmaps.com/route/30843284/holymoorside-rfm-blue-line?lat=53.21217&lon=-1.54195&zoom=14.1517&overlays=os-obstacles-layer&style=Leisure&type=2d

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Malham RFM Blue Line Walking with the kids

Image
  Malham RFM Blue Line  Walking with the kids This is the classic Malham Circular walk but it isn't a stroll. We arrived at Malham Tarn car park about 10.15 after the sat nav took us there via Settle. It seemed a long way out of the way but I always trust the sat nav so perhaps there were issues between Skipton and Malham, who knows. The bonus was that we got a fantastic view of Pen-y-Ghent and we discussed the options of walking up it in the future. These kids are adventurous. For me the classic Malham circuit starts at the Tarn. This avoids climbing Gordale Scar and allows the best views of the Cove as you approach it from Malham. For seasoned walkers this is a relatively easy circuit but it's not so for the novice. There are some steep up and downs and  lots of rocks and rough ground. The kids were as ever positive and looking forward to the walk. They had researched Malham so were aware of the main attractions and that parts of Harry Potter were filmed there. The cows...
Read more

Sunny Hollow and the New Dam Walking with my sister and my brother

Image
 Sunny Hollow and the New Dam Walking with my sister and my brother 08/07/24 What a treat, a local walk with Mary and Peter. Starting from the High Street Dodworth we head down Polyfoxes towards Dodworth Bottom. A lovely start to the day not too hot, not too cold and sunny. Up Snow Hill and through Intake Crescent we emerge into the countryside opposite Stainborough Low. This is all familiar ground for us and we even remembered where our childhood friends lived on the way through Intake Crescent. Time has passed though and the landscape has changed beyond recognition from the landscape of our childhood. No mines or pit heaps to be seen. Whats left of Sunny Hollow, no dam, no bankings and industrial buildings bordering the hollow haven't improved the outlook at all. If I am honest I would say it is worse today than 60 years ago but, rose tinted glasses alert, afterall this was our playground.  Three kids walking through childhood memories.   We ascend the bank toward the l...
Read more

Issue Edge RFM Blue Line Walking with Peter

Image
Issue Edge  RFM Blue Line  Walking with Peter 05/09/25  Its been a few weeks since we did a Friday walk and this one was a beaut. We met at the car park near the Digley Res and were on the route by 8.00. We started along the hillside with Digley Res to our right. I  hope you like the artistic photo, actually I just had it on the monochrome setting by mistake. This very large tup was enjoying his breakfast. Through the trees the res was clearly at a very low water level. This is a wonderful part of the world for atmospheric light variations as the local artist Ashley Jackson has recorded for many years. This was to be a day of tremendous light variations. We start with a little hill as we slowly climb towards Holme. Even at this low level the weather was threatening, but beautiful. The hills opposite with the great name of Twizzle Head Moss feature in a walking with Lacey blog. It absolutely threw it down that day and blew a gail. The small village of Holme is a seldo...
Read more