Scammonden RFM Blue Line Walking with Max
RFM Blue Line
Walking with Max
13/07/26
Starting at Slaithwaite (pronounced Slawitt) we had 2 hills to climb and would reach the higher areas of Slaithwaite Moor.
Parking at Hill Top in Slaithwaite we headed up the hill and along to Heys, very quickly entering the start of Merry Dale, a hidden gem of West Yorkshire.
The tiny lane through Hey was understandably empty of traffic and very pleasant to walk along.
The route left the road and followed a grassy path along the side of Merry Dale Clough.
The route followed a path under tangled branches near the stream. It hasn't rained for weeks but there was still a bit of mud left in places.
This is the small hamlet of Merry Dale, such a beautiful place to live. It was also the start of our steepest slope of the day as we headed up the valley side along a tree shrouded lane.
The cobbled steep lane with a Himalayan Balsam covered stream on our right was easy underfoot but a sweaty climb. I know the plant is invasive but it is a pretty plant.
We left the beautiful Merry Dale onto Bradshaw Lane. We followed the lane for quite some distance with Bradshaw Clough to our left above Merry Dale. Crossing the top of Bradshaw Clough we followed Coal Gate to the start of the moor.
The views as we left the road were becoming much longer as we had been steadily ascending along the tarmac. This was still agricultural but grass only... no crops up here.
Entering the moor along Colne Valley Circular Walk we crossed Blake Clough and headed towards Wortley Knowl. We passed a couple with a friendly dog. Max threw the dogs ball a couple of times and he brought it back for a re-throw but it was time to move on.
We picked up another route Kirkless Way and crossed towards Cupwith Reservoir. I've been up here 3 times now, on my own, with Peter and now with Max. It is a very accessible moor as there is A640 nearby but it is also a very flat open peaceful expanse of emptiness.
I don't think Cupwith Reservoir has any modern function but as a testament to the Victorian Engineers it still holds a substantial body of water high on the moor. Over the moor we could see the hill which would be our second hill of the day but first we had to go down to Scammonden Reservoir.
I wonder how long the abandonned bowser has sat here. We passed a man with 6 dogs only 2 of which were friendly. After we passed him Max and I discussed whether the man was the reason why the dogs were unfriendly. Its an interesting discussion: why are some dogs unfriendly?
Looking to our right we could see the BBC twin Radio Transmitters. Looking to our left we could see the staionary M62 and Scammonden Reservoir.
Max lead the way down the overgrown lane across Dean Head. This was a really tough area to cross with the path being totally obscured or lost in many places. Thankfully it was dry because if the ground was wet this would have been a nightmare.
We were glad to reach the tarmac and Sledge Gate and followed the lane towards the reservoir with the church at Deanhead poking through the trees on the valley opposite.
Looking back along the lane we could see the very isolated Dean Head Moss at the head of the valley.
Our route turned right straight up the hillside. We had been looking for some shade for a rest but settled for a wall on the hill as the breeze was nice and cooling here.
Across the valley beyond the motorway we could see Rishworth and Ripponden in the haze. I've never walked in that area so it definitely appeals to me to visit it. There is so much of Yorkshire still to explore.
Crossing the watershed back into the Colne Valley, we were left with a stunning panoramic view of Ripponden.
We could see Slaithwaite in the valley below but we were heading east before we descended into the valley. Our second hill had been relatively easy to climb..or am I just getting fitter.
We passed a mixed group of about 8 teenagers heading up this overgrown lane but on enquiring if they were Duke of Edingburgh walkers it turned out they weren't. They were just walking for fun...good for them.
The tiny lane through Hey was understandably empty of traffic and very pleasant to walk along.
The route left the road and followed a grassy path along the side of Merry Dale Clough.
The route followed a path under tangled branches near the stream. It hasn't rained for weeks but there was still a bit of mud left in places.
This is the small hamlet of Merry Dale, such a beautiful place to live. It was also the start of our steepest slope of the day as we headed up the valley side along a tree shrouded lane.
The cobbled steep lane with a Himalayan Balsam covered stream on our right was easy underfoot but a sweaty climb. I know the plant is invasive but it is a pretty plant.
We left the beautiful Merry Dale onto Bradshaw Lane. We followed the lane for quite some distance with Bradshaw Clough to our left above Merry Dale. Crossing the top of Bradshaw Clough we followed Coal Gate to the start of the moor.
Entering the moor along Colne Valley Circular Walk we crossed Blake Clough and headed towards Wortley Knowl. We passed a couple with a friendly dog. Max threw the dogs ball a couple of times and he brought it back for a re-throw but it was time to move on.
We picked up another route Kirkless Way and crossed towards Cupwith Reservoir. I've been up here 3 times now, on my own, with Peter and now with Max. It is a very accessible moor as there is A640 nearby but it is also a very flat open peaceful expanse of emptiness.
I don't think Cupwith Reservoir has any modern function but as a testament to the Victorian Engineers it still holds a substantial body of water high on the moor. Over the moor we could see the hill which would be our second hill of the day but first we had to go down to Scammonden Reservoir.
Looking to our right we could see the BBC twin Radio Transmitters. Looking to our left we could see the staionary M62 and Scammonden Reservoir.
Max lead the way down the overgrown lane across Dean Head. This was a really tough area to cross with the path being totally obscured or lost in many places. Thankfully it was dry because if the ground was wet this would have been a nightmare.
We were glad to reach the tarmac and Sledge Gate and followed the lane towards the reservoir with the church at Deanhead poking through the trees on the valley opposite.
Our route turned right straight up the hillside. We had been looking for some shade for a rest but settled for a wall on the hill as the breeze was nice and cooling here.
After the lane, we followed the road through some welcome shade towards Pole Moor.
At The Sun on Pole Moor we got a last look at Ripponden and then followed a wall enclosed path.
At The Sun on Pole Moor we got a last look at Ripponden and then followed a wall enclosed path.
This huge chapel was built in the C18th. It looks really far too big for this tiny hamlet.
The assoicated graveyard was overgrown and intriguing but we did not have time to linger and explore.
The BBC radio station on Pole Moor was not the origin of the name which predates them by a long time.
Rocking Stone Hill provided a lovely green vista as we crossed the grassy moor. The path was unclear so we followed the OS marker on the app. This was a huge pasture field, but it was empty of animals today.
We were now well east of the aerials and still crossing this massive field.
Leaving the field as we circumnavigated the aerials we plunged into a massively overgrown path. It was a real tangle of weeds and nettles.
The path gave way to tarmac at Nab and we headed down to Heath. It was still a slow descent but Slaithwaite was getting nearer all the time.
At Heath, we had to pass through someone’s garden, and following the map, we ended up at an overgrown dead end. We retraced our steps and took an adjacent path, still through the garden, which eventually led us back to another overgrown but passable path. The view in the photo is looking back up towards Heath.
Then we had to walk through more gardens until we reached the road at Stonyfield. Its nice walking through gardens but does feel very odd at times.
We had descended quite rapidly and Slaithwaite was coming more and more into view. This view of the mummy cows on the right and the baby cows on the left mooing to each other was touching but a reality of farming.
We passed through Meal Hill. What an intriguing name and what a quiet little place.
As we turned left onto Meal Hill Lane, another group of noisy young cows caught our attention.
The old lady in the distance passed us as we entered Slaithwaite. We had a chat and off she went at a pace. I think she was going shopping as she had an empty bag. You have to be fit to live in these places with these hills.
The final drop down to the railway was a very steep set of 3 flights of steps designed for another era.
The assoicated graveyard was overgrown and intriguing but we did not have time to linger and explore.
We were now well east of the aerials and still crossing this massive field.
Leaving the field as we circumnavigated the aerials we plunged into a massively overgrown path. It was a real tangle of weeds and nettles.
The path gave way to tarmac at Nab and we headed down to Heath. It was still a slow descent but Slaithwaite was getting nearer all the time.
At Heath, we had to pass through someone’s garden, and following the map, we ended up at an overgrown dead end. We retraced our steps and took an adjacent path, still through the garden, which eventually led us back to another overgrown but passable path. The view in the photo is looking back up towards Heath.
We had descended quite rapidly and Slaithwaite was coming more and more into view. This view of the mummy cows on the right and the baby cows on the left mooing to each other was touching but a reality of farming.
We passed through Meal Hill. What an intriguing name and what a quiet little place.
The final drop down to the railway was a very steep set of 3 flights of steps designed for another era.
We considered stopping for a coffee and cake as Lacey and I had done when here but Max decided he preferred to get home for an icecream so that is what we did.
The last bit was a steep ascent to Hill Top and our car.
The last bit was a steep ascent to Hill Top and our car.
9 miles and 1300 foot is another good walk, this time in good walking conditions, hot but with a cooling breeze. This walk had covered 2 hills and had many iteresting things to see and views to enjoy. We hardly met anyone, only 3 people to speak to on the whole walk.
OS Map
https://explore.osmaps.com/route/32889435/scammonden-rfm-blue-line?lat=53.62523&lon=-1.87972&zoom=14.5034&style=TopoAuto&type=2d
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