Pennine Walker, a photographic walking diary

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26th December 2016 - Stoodley Pike

Walk Details

​Distance walked: 7.3 miles

Total ascent: 978 ft

OS map used: OL21 - South Pennines

Time taken: 5.5 hrs

Route description: Lumbutts-Pennine Bridleway-Basin Stone-Gaddings Dam-Langfield Edge-Coldwell Hill-Pennine Way-Stoodley Pike-Pennine Way-Pennine Bridleway-Lumbutts

Although a fine day is forecast it's also set to be very windy, so with that in mind I decided to stay local and do a walk in nearby Calderdale. The strength of the wind at the height of these moors was just about manageable, I shudder to think what it would have been like on the big hills. I always enjoy walking in this area and this was a good first walk to do after Christmas, particularly since I didn't fancy driving anywhere too far away today.

I started the walk by parking on the road outside the church in Lumbutts. I then took the bridleway past Lee Dam and Lee Farm to join the road again, for a walk uphill to reach the Pennine Bridleway opposite the Shepherds Inn. I made my way up the hillside of Rake End before turning left to head uphill past the Basin Stone to Gaddings Dam. After walking around Gaddings Dam I took the path along Langfield Edge and across Coldwell Hill to join the Pennine Way to reach Stoodley Pike. I then made my way back to Lumbutts by following the Pennine Way to its junction with the Pennine Bridleway, the latter taking me back to the road I was parked on.

Route map
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© Crown copyright. All rights reserved. License number PU 100034184.

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It's a cold and windy but bright morning as I set off along the bridleway past Lee Farm
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Looking across Todmorden to Bride Stones Moor on the other side of the valley as I follow the Pennine Bridleway to Rake End..
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..and down Calderdale with Stoodley Pike on the right
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There's a lovely light on the moors this morning
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Past the Basin Stone as I head uphill to Gaddings Dam
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The moors have a great colour in the low winter sun. I couldn't resist taking a couple more shots.
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By a very windy Gaddings Dam
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Definitely not beach weather today
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There's a great view across to Stoodley Pike from Langfield Edge..
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Heald Moor, Cliviger, Todmorden and Bride Stones Moor from Coldwell Hill
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The moorland of Holder Stones to the south
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Withens Clough Reservoir
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and Stoodley Pike
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Moorland colours from Withens Gate..
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The Te Deum Stone and the Long Stoop guide stone
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Onto the Pennine Way as I get closer to Stoodley Pike
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Todmorden and Calderdale below
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Windswept moors
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As I approach Stoodley Pike the wind gets even stronger, to the point where it took a real effort to stand still and it was impossible to take a photo from the monument without it coming out all blurry. It's been a while since I was last out in as strong a wind.
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Making my way back to Lumbutts on the track of London Road. It was relief to get down and out of that wind.

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© Alan Kilduff 2016-2023                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
  • HOME
  • About this site
  • Walking Diaries
    • Walking Diary 2022
    • Walking Diary 2021
    • Walking Diary 2020
    • Walking Diary 2019
    • Walking Diary 2018
    • Walking Diary 2017
    • Walking Diary 2016
    • Walking Diary 2015
    • Walking Diary 2014
    • Walking Diary 2013
    • Walking Diary 2012
    • Walking Diary 2011
    • Walking Diary 2010
    • Walking Diary 2009
    • Walking Diary 2008
  • Lake District Walks
  • Peak District Walks
  • Yorkshire Dales Walks
  • Forest of Bowland, Pendle & West Pennine Moors Walks
  • South Pennines Walks
  • Walks in other areas
  • Links Page