Holmbridge Holmfirth RFM Blue Line Walking with Max
RFM Blue Line
Walking with Max
16/06/26
We had been up this trail before but today we headed down the valley towards the road. We could see the wood we had walked through last time away to our left.
We followed the road towards Hogley Green. Already after only a few minutes we were high up and out of breath. These steep valley sides are ...let us say.... interesting.
The tourists may flock to Sid's cafe and Nora Batty's back steps but this is the Holmfirth I love. The green fields, far hills and atmospheric weather.
Hogley Green was small and most of the buildings looked like they had been done up and sold on as luxury housing. It was still a pleasant place to be. It was also the top of the first hill.
Then we were down and up through a wooded little valley. The birdsong was intense and the place felt left alone, almost ignored.
We reached the A635 Oldham/Manchester Road. We were quite high up and the views south though not very clear did include the big hill we had seen so often last winter as we explored the Hepworth area.
Crossing the busy road we headed up the track passing a lone lady walker who gave a cheery hello.
We followed the road towards Hogley Green. Already after only a few minutes we were high up and out of breath. These steep valley sides are ...let us say.... interesting.
The tourists may flock to Sid's cafe and Nora Batty's back steps but this is the Holmfirth I love. The green fields, far hills and atmospheric weather.
Just drink it in.
We reached the A635 Oldham/Manchester Road. We were quite high up and the views south though not very clear did include the big hill we had seen so often last winter as we explored the Hepworth area.
Crossing the busy road we headed up the track passing a lone lady walker who gave a cheery hello.
Its hard not to like a place called Upperthong and this was a nice place. We discussed the buildings in some details as there was a lot to see. Pre-industrial, industrial and post industrial influences and styles were evident everywhere, from converted barns to weaver cottages.
We could see Tower Hill above Huddersfield in the distance. After a fairly long walk along green lanes we started down the hill into Holmfirth. It was steep.
We dropped down Underhill and although I did not see any, this could definitely be where the Hobbits lived. The steps were sketchy if not dangerous but we got down ok. The last bit felt like going through someone's garden.
A short walk down some steep roads and we are into the park with lovely views of the centre of Holmfirth.
We did not hang around at the bottom of Holmfirth but after working out our route we headed straight up the other side of the valley.
The road we took was so steep it was painful to look at. A lady walker and her too daughters laughed at us (good naturedly) as they descended the hill. In no time at all we were looking across the Underbank Valley towards the road out of Holmfirth towards Penistone.
Free range chickens and old tractors made this farm very attractive to look at.
Around Dover (not that one) the view back to Holmfirth was improving as we were higher and the sun was coming out. We paused for a selfie.
We headed down the hill towards Wash Pits which surely indicate an industrial past.
I thought this was a hare but now I think just a rabbit. The horse was ultra friendly and followed us as we walked along the road. We stroked it but declined feeding it our apples because why would you?
Then we headed up the other side of this tight valley towards Choppards which also sounds industrial. The building on the left had all sorts of alterations evident in its stone work. It was definitely a series of weaver cottages but may have even been a factory, we just did not know. As we rested at the top of Choppards we had a long conversation with an Irish guy walking 2 Springers. He had lived here for over 10 years and our conversation including Kilkenny and GAA. He was from Newry. It was a very pleasant chat.
Then we headed up the other side of this tight valley towards Choppards which also sounds industrial. The building on the left had all sorts of alterations evident in its stone work. It was definitely a series of weaver cottages but may have even been a factory, we just did not know. As we rested at the top of Choppards we had a long conversation with an Irish guy walking 2 Springers. He had lived here for over 10 years and our conversation including Kilkenny and GAA. He was from Newry. It was a very pleasant chat.
We followed the lane past the reservoir at Hollin Hill. This is a very pretty valley and the views were wooded and inviting.
Our route took us along Kirklees Way past the end of the reservoir. Is that not a perfect view for a West Riding reservoir, just gorgeous.
We had one more hill up to Cartworth Moor Road. This was it past the farm called Elysium. It really is a wonderful place and I am sure it is some one's heaven but for me it is the top of a hot and sweaty climb up the last hill of the day. The sun was actually getting very hot even though there were still clouds around.
Have you ever thought why we Yorkshire people love Yorkshire so much. Landscapes like this are why.
The views over the valley were familar from other walks but still great.
We left the lane and walked down the hillside along a steep and not very well defined path into the woods above the river.
This weedy mill chimney was central to the last part of this walk. We walked along the wooded valley side above the invisible but noisy river below.
Lapwing and sheep.
Everyone loves Highland Cattle but I am glad we did not have to go in with the bull on the right.
We left Cartworth Moor Road and headed along a scruffy industrial lane past the quarry with its viciously barking Alsatian to the lane leading off the hill.
The view over Holmbridge and Brownhill Reservoir was fantastic. It reminded Max and me of our last walk up and down that valley side.
This weedy mill chimney was central to the last part of this walk. We walked along the wooded valley side above the invisible but noisy river below.
We did finally get some views of the river just before it was time to cross it onto the other bank at Victoria.
The final stretch past the new housing, the cattlemarket and the noisy weir was very close to the river. From the cattle market the smell was dreadful but we could hear the auctioneer chanting the prices.
The way was dangerous and much care had to be taken not to trip or fall in. Not a great tourist walk.
It was a long walk past the mill, now a multibusiness site, and the chimney that towered above us.
I tripped climbing a concrete step at the end of the mill race but luckily broke my fall with my hands and suffered no damage not even a scratch or graze. Lucky.
Every time we pass this mill there is something new they have done to it. This time its got a roof on it. Not completed but better than no roof. Then it was to the car and home via Max's.
This walk of nearly 10 miles with a 1866 foot ascent is a serious walk and Max did well to complete it so admirably. The speed was quite good too at nearly 2.5 miles per hour. There were some seriously steep hills on this route. I was fine as I have so many miles in my legs this was just a standard walk.
OS Map
https://explore.osmaps.com/route/32501377/holmefirth-holmebridge-rfm-blue-line?lat=53.5602&lon=-1.82525&zoom=12.5749&style=TopoAuto&type=2d
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