Skip to content
View of Eastergate bridge, Marsden Moor, Yorkshire
View of Eastergate bridge, Marsden Moor, Yorkshire | © Victoria Holland
Yorkshire

Eastergate return walk

An easy, return walk following the red waymarkers along the canal towpath through quiet winding lanes before reaching the historic Eastergate bridge.

Deep water

Take care with children near the canal edge as the water can be deep with a muddy base.

Total steps: 12

Total steps: 12

Start point

Old Goods Yard, grid ref: SE047117

Step 1

From the Old Goods Yard and National Trust Office follow the railway fence line to Marsden station. Join the canal towpath at Lock 42E. The red waymarker arrows that mark the trail begin just outside the Marsden Moor office.

Step 2

Follow the towpath until the Standedge tunnel visitor centre is in view on the right. When you see the visitor centre bear left through a small, wooded picnic area.

Step 3

Walk over the bridge, through the car park and bear left up the grassy bank.

Step 4

Cross the lane and follow the surfaced path along the river leading to a wheelchair-friendly picnic area. Continue until you reach a wooden gate by the road.

Step 5

Turn left along the road past a row of houses on your left and Hey Green on the right. Continue onto Blake Lea Lane which becomes Waters Road. Bear left at Eastergate cottage onto the bridleway path.

Step 6

Go through the gate and follow the path along the river until you reach Eastergate bridge. This is a packhorse bridge also known as Close Gate bridge.

Step 7

To make your return follow the path over Eastergate bridge. Take the path along the riverside onto Blake Lea Lane.

Step 8

Turn right on to Waters Road and retrace your steps through the nature trail alongside the river.

Step 9

Walk over the lane and down the grassy bank towards the car park at Standedge tunnel visitor centre.

Step 10

Turn left to rejoin the towpath under the railway bridge.

Step 11

After going under the bridge turn right and walk up the stone steps. Bear left along the path through the woodland.

Step 12

Walk through the gate at the end of the woodland and turn right to rejoin the canal towpath back towards Marsden and the Old Goods Yard car park.

End point

Old Goods Yard, grid ref: SE047117

Trail map

Trail map for Easter gate return walk, Marsden
Trail map for Easter gate return walk, Marsden | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey

You made it

Share your experience

More near here

View looking north from Wessenden Head towards Wessenden Reservoir on Marsden Moor Estate, West Yorkshire.
Trail
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.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 8 (km: 12.8)
A winding path links a series of reservoirs in the Wessenden valley
Trail
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.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 8 (km: 12.8)
Close view of the Pennine Way path at Standedge on Marsden Moor, West Yorkshire
Trail
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.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 10 (km: 16)
Purple heather lines a path on Holme Moor with views over Marsden village
Trail
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.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 4.5 (km: 7.2)

Get in touch

Marsden Moor Office and Information Room, The Old Goods Yard, Station Road, Marsden, West Yorkshire, HD7 6DH

Our partners

Cotswold Outdoor

We’ve partnered with Cotswold Outdoor to help everyone make the most of their time outdoors in the places we care for.

Visit website 

You might also be interested in

Walkers climbing rocks against a bright blue sky with the mountains in the distance at Sugarloaf, Monmouthshire

Walking 

Explore some of the finest landscapes in our care on coastal paths, accessible trails, woodland walks and everything in between. Find the best places to walk near you.

Hiking group on a guided hike led by rangers at Marsden Moor, West Yorkshire
Activity
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.

Dog sitting in the grass next to its owner, on Marsden Moor, West Yorkshire
Article
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.

Snipe (Gallinago gallinago) at Druridge Bay, Northumberland
Article
Article

Wildlife on Marsden Moor 

Discover the abundance of wildlife on Marsden Moor, from ground-nesting birds such as golden plovers and curlews to mountain hares and even lizards.

A group of people in a hiking group are being guided on a hike by rangers at Marsden Moor, West Yorkshire
Article
Article

Cotswold Outdoor: our exclusive walking partner 

Find out more about the National Trust’s ongoing partnership with Cotswold Outdoor as our exclusive walking partner.

An aerial view of an adult and baby walking a dog along a path at Baggy Point, Devon
Article
Article

Staying safe at National Trust places 

The special places in National Trust care sometimes come with a few risks for visitors, be it coastline or countryside. Find out how to keep safe throughout your visits.

A visitor carrying a backpack and walking along a footpath at Divis and the Black Mountain with stone walls either side, the countryside visible in the background.
Article
Article

Follow the Countryside Code 

Help to look after National Trust places by observing a few simple guidelines during your visit and following the Countryside Code.

A hiker wearing an insulated jacket and a backpack watches the sunset over snowy mountain peaks
Activity
Activity

How to stay warm on a winter walk 

Don’t let the cold weather put you off exploring winter landscapes and getting out into the crisp air. Keep warm on your next winter walk with these top tips and kit ideas.