Marsden, Slaithwaite RFM Blue Line Walking with Lacey
The heat wave has ended and rain is in the offing but it doesn't stop the walks. This is a much looked forward to walk as it includes climbing Pule Hill, a hill that has been visible on so many walks in the past. We started at about 10 o'clock.
Mount Road was very steep. The rhododendrons on both sides of the road were in full flower and beautiful.
I suppose the sheep on the golf course keep the grass short but I am not sure the golfers will appreciate the presents they leave for them on the fairways. Its only been a short time walking but already we are getting high level views back over towards Meltham Moor where Max and I walked last week. This walk started quite high up so later we are going to have a steep hill to finish the walk.
We followed the road, it wasn't very busy, right up to the base of Pule Hill. Leaving the road we had a short rest and water break enjoying the views back towards Meltham Moor.
The last stretch, to the summit of Pule Hill, is very steep and the path, well worn into rough steps, is difficult to negotiate and vertiguous. Lacey lead most of the way up. We stopped several times to get our breaths on this challenging climb.
The views from the summit were interesting and long. We discussed what looked like a quarry or mine on the hill opposite. Realising that it was almost on the line of the tunnel it dawned on me that the spoil heaps could have been part of the tunnel excavations. We don't know but decided that was the best explanation.
The panoramic view over Redbrook Reservoir is an area we have walked over a few times. The weather was threatening and small showers were occasionally refreshing us.
Meltham Moor and Marsden look a long way away but our walk is going to take us practically to the horizon on this photo on the left.
Looking to the north west over Close Moss was the area Peter and I crossed a couple of weeks ago on our walk to Diggle and back. That was another awesome walk. This area just gives and gives. It doesn't matter how hard the walking is Lacey always does it with a smile and never complains. She is a pleasure to walk with.
Heading down the mountain towards Tunnel End we passed the climbing hotspot of Pule Hill Quarry. It was interesting but we had a long way to go so we stayed on the trail and headed across the moor.
The Mallard ducklings were a joy to see as they crossed the Huddersfield Narrow Canal to see if we would feed them.
Its like walking through time walking on this towpath. The stones worn and slippy. We passed plenty of other walkers and stroked plenty of dogs. Everyone was happy to chat and we, as ever, were happy to engage.
The bull in the adjacent field was huge and contently lying in the grass surrounded by cows. We donned our rain gear as a more persistant drizzle began.
A short walk further along the tow path, past a renovated mill, we left the canal and crossed the River Colne to the south side of the valley. The third part of the walk was along the valley side back to Marsden.
After several miles of flat towpath the slope particularly these steps up the valley side was brutal.
Our route when we got high enough up the valley side was to follow the Colne Valley Circular Walk hoping it would be a easy path. It was easy to follow but badly overgrown.
Looking down over Slaithwaite the viaducts pick out the route of the railway. Again great examples of Victorian engineering.
Up and down the green hills and over little streams this route was varied in view and terrain but consistant in being more hilly than expected. These short sharp hills are tough on the legs.
Looking up and down the valley it is obvious to see how well populated the area is towards Huddersfield and how green it is. The weather was improving so our waterproofs went back into the backpacks.
The route set off back up the hill towards New House and Marys Rest Farm. Not sure which is which but it was a lovely area. A little dog barked at us in greeting as we approached the road. These sculptures looked out of place and surely there is a story here but we do not know what it is.
On we went until bizarrely we dropped down to Hill Top passing a couple of attentive horses who watched us as we passed. We could see the end of the walk was not far off but it was actually still a few miles away.
This derelict farm was a curiosity. It seemed to be an important place at some time. On the map it seems to be marked as Stanley House. The ornate 1758 date stone and substantial walls and fine architecture suggest a place of some importance now ruined and taken over by nature.
The slopes were still unforgiving and another ruined farmhouse loomed higher up the slope.
Not sure what the tower is but the gardens and play area bordering the road were pretty enough.
We headed up past another derelict mill towards Netherley where the car was parked. It was a steep final push up the hill. I was thinking I should have parked lower down.
11 and a 1/2 miles and 1600 foot of ascent is very tough walk. We covered the ground quite quickly. The three parts of the walk distinctive and satisfying were Pule Hill (a walk on its own), the canal tow path to Slaithwaite and the Colne Valley Circular Walk back along the hillside to Marsden. A challenging but satisfying route.
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