Standedge circuit walk
This circular walk explores the variety of landscapes of Marsden Moor. Discover valleys and reservoirs before heading up over open moorland and winding back to Marsden along the Packhorse trail and canal towpath.
Map
Start:
Marsden Moor Estate Office, grid ref: SE047117
1
From Marsden Station head down Station Road turning right to cross the bridge over the river and onto Church Lane. Follow the road past the church and go straight ahead onto Fall Lane. Follow this road through the tunnel under the A62 and turn right towards the roundabout. Cross the roundabout and walk up Binn Road.
2
Turn off Binn Road when you reach a public bridleway sign by a wide track on the right. This is the main Wessenden Valley track. Follow this track up the Wessenden Valley passing Butterley and Blakeley reservoirs in turn on your right.
3
At the Pennine Way fingerpost follow the Pennine Way steeply down into the valley, across the footbridge and then up the steep slope on the other side.
4
Continue along the Pennine Way to the right, along Blakeley clough crossing the brook at the small sluice to walk up the steps that lead up onto the moor. Continue along the well-defined path until reaching Black Moss and Swellands reservoirs.
Moorland birds
Marsden Moor is protected at a national and European level because of the blanket bog habitat and the important breeding birds it supports. You may spot some of these birds on this walk, especially when crossing open moorland - species to watch out for include curlew, golden plover, red grouse and the elusive twite.
5
Cross the dam wall and follow the wide path left along the fence line by the side of Black Moss reservoir, going through a gate before heading right to follow a flagged path through one of the National Trust sheep exclosures and downhill to meet the Pennine Bridleway.
Moorland restoration work
Pass through one of the sheep exclosures, one of the ways we are working to restore Marsden Moor. Over time the moorland vegetation has been affected by high levels of sheep grazing. The sheep eat the young, green shoots of moorland plants such as heather allowing the tough unpalatable grasses to dominate. Fencing off these areas protects them from grazing, giving the vegetation time to recover and grow into strong healthy plants.
6
Turn left and walk along the bridleway to Brun Clough car park.
7
From the car park cross the road and continue to follow the Pennine Way up the track until reaching the Pennine Way/Pennine Bridleway fingerpost opposite a kissing gate. Turn right through the gate to follow the Pennine Way uphill. Follow the path through a field and along the edge with fine views towards Manchester to the west. Continue along the edge passing the trig point and Heritage Trail stone until you reach the square waymarker stone.
8
At the stone waymarker follow the Pennine Way right away from the edge towards the A640.
9
Just before reaching the road follow a footpath leading sharp right across a ford. This is the old Packhorse road. Follow this path gently down across the moorland eventually reaching the valley bottom below.
Follow historic routes
In step 9 you walk along the historic Packhorse road which was constructed in the Middle Ages. This section was known as Rapes Highway, and as you walk down you may spot the stone 'PH' markers by the side of the path.
10
Cross Easter Gate Bridge and follow the footpath along the riverside to the road. Turn right and follow the road past Hey Green house. After a row of cottages go through the wooden gate on the right to follow a riverside path that emerges at the Standedge Visitor Center. Cross the canal and follow the tow path back to Marsden.
End:
Marsden Moor Estate Office, grid ref: SE047117
