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Marsden Moor
Take a walk on the wild side and enjoy the rugged moorland landscape.
Marsden Moor Office and Information Room, The Old Goods Yard, Station Road, Marsden, West Yorkshire, HD7 6DH
Important notice
BBQs and fires are banned all year round on Marsden Moor. The fire risk is high during spring and summer. If you see someone using a BBQ or a fire on the moor, call 999 and ask for FIRE.
Opening times for 5 July 2025
Asset Opening time Countryside Dawn - Dusk MTWTFSS3012345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031123OpenPartially openClosed- Car park
Free parking at Buckstones Car Park - A640 (junction with B6114). Haigh Gutter – A640 (at Pennine Way crossing). Wessenden Head Layby – A635 (Greenfield to Holmfirth Road). Various laybys on the A640, A62 and A635. Car park at The Old Goods Yard, Station Road, Marsden, HD7 6DH (suitable for coaches) free for the first two hours and then fees payable Mon-Sat.
- Dogs allowed
Keep your dog under close control, preferably on a lead, at all times. Dogs must be on a short 2m lead during nesting season 1 March - 31 July. Don’t let your dog chase wildlife or grazing animals.
The general topography of the landscape and conditions of the footpaths (which can be muddy) mean the moorland is not considered suitable for people with limited mobility. There are no designated accessible spaces at Buckstones car park but the surface is tarmacked and level. The other car parks and laybys are relatively level with a top layer of loose gravel. There's level access (no obstructions) to the Information Room, next to Marsden NT office.
- Steps/uneven terrain
- By road
Marsden Moor covers a large area to the west of Marsden village. To access the Northern section, including Haigh Gutter (Pennine Way) and Buckstones Car Park, take the A640 For the central area including Pule Hill and Marsden village, take the A62 To access the Southern section, including Wessenden Head and the Wessenden Valley, take the A635.
Parking: Free parking at Buckstones Car Park - A640 (junction with B6114). Haigh Gutter – A640 (at Pennine Way crossing). Wessenden Head Layby – A635 (Greenfield to Holmfirth Road). Various laybys on the A640, A62 and A635. Car park at The Old Goods Yard, Station Road, Marsden, HD7 6DH (suitable for coaches) free for the first two hours and then fees payable Mon-Sat.
- By train
Marsden station is on the Huddersfield line between Manchester and Leeds. The National Trust office is adjacent to the station.
- By bus
Services 183 – 184 from Huddersfield to Marsden, and 184 from Manchester/Oldham to Huddersfield
Marsden Moor Office and Information Room, The Old Goods Yard, Station Road, Marsden, West Yorkshire, HD7 6DH
Planning your visit
Article
Visiting Marsden Moor with your dog
Marsden Moor is a one pawprint rated place. Find out where you can walk your dog and the guidance to follow at different times of the year when walking near livestock and nesting birds.
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Highlights
Moorland landscape
Experience a uniquely rugged moorland landscape of more than 5,000 acres, steeped in history. A Site of Special Scientific Interest, home to a variety of wildlife.
Guided walks
Guided walks around Marsden Moor with experienced and knowledgeable volunteers. Learn more about this special place and get close to nature.
Wildlife on Marsden Moor
A host of animals, from birds and beetles to hares, deer and reptiles, call Marsden Moor home. See what you can observe from a number of viewing points.
Spotlight events
Activity
Walking on Marsden Moor
Explore the many walking trails on Marsden Moor, try Nordic walking for fitness, or join a guided walk to learn about the landscape with a National Trust volunteer.
Article
Family-friendly activities at Marsden Moor
Marsden Moor is truly the great outdoors for kids of all ages. You can download an easy walking trail or pick up a map at the offices by Marsden Station
Top trails
Trail
Pule Hill walk
A moderate circular walk that starts along the canal towpath before gently contouring around the sides of Pule Hill. Follow the green way markers to stay on course.
Trail
Eastergate return walk
Take a short, linear walk along the Huddersfield narrow canal leading to a picturesque picnic spot at Eastergate packhorse bridge. It's an easy route under 3 miles that makes a great reason to get outdoors in nature.
Trail
Standedge circuit walk
Up for a challenge? Try this exhilarating 10 mile circular walk, a large part of it on the Pennine Way, exploring the varied landscapes of Marsden Moor.
Trail
Marsden Moor heritage trail south
Push yourself on this 8-mile circular trail which will take you above the Wessenden Valley and show you the moorland plants and birds that make the area internationally important.
Trail
Wessenden Valley walk
Take a linear walk up the Wessenden Valley. Stride out along the track to explore this beautiful valley and discover four reservoirs along the route.
Trail
Marsden Deer Hill walk
A moderate 4½-mile walk that meanders up onto the moors with far-reaching views following the Deer Hill conduit.
Trail
Marsden Moor heritage trail north
See magnificent moorland views and find out more about the rich history of Marsden Moor on this bracing 10-mile walk.
Upcoming events
Event
Guided Walk: Circular walk to Merrydale
A scenic walk above the Colne valley from Marsden to Slaithwaite
Event
Guided Walk: Broadstone Hill, PotsnPans and Aldermans Hill
A challenging walk along the plateau of Saddleworth Moor
Event
Guided Walk: Shiny Brook Clough
Join us on an adventure with a hard walk to some remote parts of the moor.
Event
Guided Walk: Marsden Moor 70th Anniversary Boundary walk
Join us for a challenging walk to celebrate our 70th year at Marsden Moor.
About Marsden Moor
See the beautiful countryside and wild rugged scenery of Marsden Moor. With over 5000 acres of moorland to explore, it offers you the perfect opportunity to get away from it all.
Explore a landscape steeped in history from pre-historic times to trans-Pennine transport routes.
Marsden Moor is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, a Special Protection Area and Special Area of Conservation due to the ground nesting bird population and blanket bog habitat.
Our work
Article
Conservation on Marsden Moor
Learn how National Trust rangers and volunteers are working to care for Marsden Moor by restoring peat, removing invasive species and minimising the risk of floods and fires.
Landscapes for Water
Learn how uplands are being restored with ambitious woodland creation, peatland restoration and natural flood management, by the National Trust and partners.
Project
Project
Eyes on the Bog at Marsden Moor
Healthy peatlands are vital for our environment, with the peat on Marsden Moor holding over 1 million tons of carbon, it is crucial that we keep the carbon in the ground and make sure peatlands thrive. Discover more about Eyes on the Bog and how it can help us to monitor the health of Marsden Moor.
Article
Our work to protect Marsden Moor from fires
Discover the work we’ve been doing to restore Marsden Moor following a series of devastating fires and learn fire-prevention tips to help us keep the moorland safe.
Support us
Article
Volunteer opportunities on Marsden Moor
Find out how you can apply to volunteer on Marsden Moor and the roles available, from helping the rangers to repair footpaths, to leading guided walks across the moorland.