Marsden Moor heritage trail north
Uncover the past and find out more about the rich history of Marsden Moor, from Neolithic man through to the industrial revolution, on this bracing walk with magnificent open moorland views.
Weather warning
The weather can change very quickly on open moorland, so wear sturdy walking boots and warm, waterproof clothing.
Total steps: 8
Total steps: 8
Start point
Marsden Moor Estate Office, grid ref: SE047118.
Step 1
From the estate office head towards the train station and then onwards along the canal until you reach the Standedge Tunnel Visitor Centre.
Step 2
Leave the car park via the drive and head up to Waters Road. Walk up the drive beside the former Tunnel End inn and then take the path left, immediately behind it. Head up and across some fields to a group of houses. Go through a black metal gate. Walk past a house and then turn right through another gate to bring you out onto a lane. Follow the lane left, passing Berry Greave along the way. When the lane starts to descend downhill turn right and follow this lane past the first house and round to a path at the back of the next house. Climb across the fields, passing through a gate before dropping sharply down to a stream and back up again to the right of the phone mast. Turn right down Blake Lee Lane until you reach a road junction. Turn left up the track. When you meet a fork, go left towards White Hall Farm. In front of the farm, go left through the gate leading onto the moor. Walk through some rushes, following the path along the edge of Haigh Clough to the southern corner of March Haigh Reservoir.
Step 3
Here you have the option to head up to Buckstones car park for magnificent views across the estate. Turn right to cross the dam wall and take the path heading steeply up through the rocks to the car park. Once you've caught your breath and taken in the views retrace your steps back to the dam wall.
Step 4
Continue left to head south towards the Packhorse Trail where you turn right. Follow the trail across Willmer Clough and up to the top, passing old marker stones along the way. Continue straight ahead until you come out at Haigh Gutter.
Step 5
Here, make a sharp left to follow the Pennine Way south, making sure that when you come to the Pennine Way square marker you follow the path to the left, keeping Millstone Edge on your right.
Step 6
Continue along Millstone Edge. Go through a kissing gate into a field where mild-mannered cows normally reside. Take care around livestock, especially if they have calves or you have dogs. Go through another kissing gate and turn left, leaving the Pennine Way. Cross over a stile and walk down Thieves Clough. Follow the path alongside a broken down wall. On approaching the old engine house, keep the wall to your left.
Step 7
Follow the track over Redbrook Clough and onto the A62. Cross the road. Be careful as this can be a busy road. Turn right in front of the Carriage House pub (also a hotel and campsite) and continue for a short distance alongside the A62 before turning left down Mount Road. Continue along the road until you reach a small layby on the left-hand side. Turn left here along the Standedge Trail over a boardwalk. Continue along this path around the front of Pule Hill, passing the incline that was used to transport materials from the quarry. Walk between the cooling towers for the tunnel deep below. Be careful not to wander up the hill but stay level, roughly under the telephone wires. The path passes through two gates. Walk behind a group of houses and take the path left down some steps and over a stile onto the A62. Take care crossing the road and walk downhill a short distance to a path on the left. This leads you steeply down a rocky path between two paths to Easter Gate. Cross the river at the bottom. It can be quite high after rain so you may end up with wet socks even when crossing at the shallowest point on the right.
Step 8
Cross over the packhorse bridge, following the path to the road and then down to Hey Green House. Continue along Waters Road, passing Hey Green Generator and the former coach house. Turn right onto a path that runs alongside the river towards Tunnel End. Before the terraced houses follow the path right and then cross the lane to continue down the path to Standedge Tunnel Visitor Centre. Retrace your steps along the canal to Marsden.
End point
Marsden Moor Estate Office, grid ref: SE047118.
Trail map
More near here
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.
Marsden Deer Hill walk
A moderate 4½-mile walk that meanders up onto the moors with far-reaching views following the Deer Hill conduit.
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.
Pule Hill walk
A moderate circular walk that starts along the canal towpath before gently contouring around the sides of Pule Hill.
Get in touch
Marsden Moor Office and Information Room, The Old Goods Yard, Station Road, Marsden, West Yorkshire, HD7 6DH
Our partners
We’ve partnered with Cotswold Outdoor to help everyone make the most of their time outdoors in the places we care for.
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