Ramsden Clough RFM Blue Line Walking with Max and Lacey

Ramsden Clough

RFM Blue Line

Walking with Max and Lacey

23/06/26

The forecast today was for the temperature in some parts of the uk to reach record June highs. It was hot. But it didn't stop us we had plenty of water and were sun creamed up. The first couple of miles were tough because of the climb, the rest tough because of the sun.

I was worried the small carpark would be full. I need not have worried it was nearly empty. We headed off down the road towards the dam at Riding Wood Reservoir. It really was hot so even this early on the shade was welcome.

The view from the dam up the reservoir was breathtaking and the view from the dam down towards Ramsden Reservoir wasn't bad. What a great start.

We did not pass many people on this walk but there was a lady with several dogs in the woods and she was friendly but in a rush. Because of water  company works our route was blocked so we detoured and didn't miss anything. It was a shorter distance to detour but hillier. The hike out of the valley was steep and tough underfoot but the young un's did ok. They often hang back a little so they can talk. I'm ok with that, I just set the speed in front and go.

The rough pasture was a bit tough to cross and it was up hill but not steep. The place is so beautiful.

On and on we went.

It was still hard going in the tufted long grass but it improved when we reached the lane at Netherley.

I could see our route up the hill, next to the tree line behind the farm, it was the same as when Peter and I descended this hill. I knew it was a steep stinker but at least it would be quick.

A cuckoo sang his heart out for ages as we ascended this grassy slope.

We passed a maggot blown dead sheep. Blimey what a whiff. Lacey was quick to get out of the smell. It was horrible. Then Max set off at a trot up the hill and Lacey held back a little taking photos and sensibly taking her time. She is a canny one.

We had climbed a long way up and the views were long but we still had quite a hill to get up. This slope just gives and gives.

We reached a break in the slope and Lacey remembered when we had sheltered here, for our sandwiches, coming off the hill on the first visit in the howling rainstorm. A lot better today.

Max impressively forged ahead higher and higher, would this hill never end.

After the final stop Max let me go ahead. I think he had overdone the pace slightly and his leg muscles were rebelling. The stone pillar marks the top. Lacey sneaked into my panorama shot wearily getting to the top.

As we followed the path along Cliffe Edge and Kaye Edge its hard to describe how wonderful the views are. Lacey and I recalled the last time we had been here with no views at all just grey cloud and driving rain. We always had to come back and I am glad we did.

 We spotted this bird on the post in front of us. I am pretty sure it is a Hen Harrier but I am not certain. Lacey's photo on the right proves without doubt it was a Kestel. Still a beautiful encounter.

The views over the Holme Valley were, well you can see, just so good. Eventually we reached the car park hot and tired but we were not even half way yet. The good thing was there were no more big hills.

We paused at the car park for a drink but soon were away again. We chatted with an Asian lady and her daughter. I explained that the walk she was on did not go down to the res but rather right across the valley around the edges. She thanked me and said it was too far so they would return to the car at the car park. She doesn't know how lucky she was.
I then knocked my camera onto the Paint setting so I apologise ahead for any unusual photos for a while.

It was a long way around Lightens and Great Twizzle Edges but eventually we came to the object of the day Ramsden Clough. The way from the car park had basically been rock hopping and up and down gullies at least it was dryish. A tough path to walk along.

Its a long long walk around Ramsden Edge and the drop off on the left is steep and spectacular. But the path is smooth and there are hardly any gullies so it was a lot easier to walk on if you can stand the height. Max and Lacey did great crossing the Edge easily and enjoying the view. As I reset the camera we dropped off the hill past a few shooting butts.

It was quite a quick descent but relatively easy. The views to Ramsden Edge were exquisite.

It was quite nice walking through the old quarries as it was relatively cool.

It did not last long as the descent openned up along some hot old quarry beds and down some unforgiving steep stony slopes, not easy.

We headed along the top of the forest and importantly the shade revived us. 

This was bliss. The walk was meant to head further along the valley and then back down to the car. We decided to abandon the last loop as it was very small and the route was a hot open stoney lane. It was a good decision because I could see we were starting to suffer from the sun and heat and I did not want to overdo it just for an extra half mile of blue line.

8 mile and 1500 feet is a good walk but in these hot conditions it is close to too much. To be fair we were all in good nick at the end but my spare water in the car was welcome as our water was close to running out. The views were just incredible and I am proud of Max and Lacey flying up that really tough main slope. Well done and lets hope its cooler next week.

OS Maps

https://explore.osmaps.com/route/32606018/ramsden-clough-rfm-blue-line?lat=53.53524&lon=-1.81922&zoom=14.0668&style=TopoAuto&type=2d

Lacey's faqntastic photos: