Pennine Walker, a photographic walking diary

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4th March 2015 - Summit Reservoirs

Walk Details

Distance walked: 8.5 miles

Total ascent: 1117 ft

OS map used: OL21 - South Pennines

Time taken: 5 hrs

Route description: Warland-Warland Gate End-Rochdale Canal-Summit Lock-Pennine Bridleway-Castle Clough-A58-Blackstone Edge Reservoir-Pennine Way-Warland Reservoir-Warland Gate End-Warland

So much for the forecast of a fine day with sunny spells. This was my other walk that was the alternative to Stoodley Pike last Friday. The plan was to visit the moorland reservoirs above Summit as well as seeing the poem "Rain", one of the Stanza Stones that's next to the Pennine Way at Cows Mouth quarry. The skies were pretty overcast when I set off from home and there were a couple of showers on the drive to Warland but it was the persistant rain that set in when I was walking by the Rochdale Canal that starting me thinking about whether to continue with the route I had planned or not. Fortunately it started to brighten up as I was sat near Higher Chelburn Reservoir having my lunch and I decided to carry on. There was some nice sunshine to see "Rain" and the reservoirs.

I started the walk from a layby next to the A6033 at Warland. I then followed the road south to Warland Gate End where I turned left to head for the Rochdale Canal. After walking along the towpath I reached the West Summit Lock. I then crossed the canal to take the Pennine Bridleway uphill past Lower and Higher Chelburn Reservoir to Castle Clough where a path took me up to the A58 and Blackstone Edge Reservoir. I then followed the Pennine Way north past Light Hazzles Reservoir (with a detour to White Holme Reservoir) to Warland Reservoir. I decided to walk round the eastern side of the reservoir under Stony Edge before crossing the dam to follow the bridleway down Cote Clough back to Warland.

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

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Heading down the track of Warland Gate End to reach the Rochdale Canal
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"Watershed". A poem next to the towpath by the Rochdale Canal.
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It briefly tries to brighten up as..
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..I reach the West Summit Lock
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Lower Chelburn Reservoir from the Pennine Bridleway and it's started to rain again
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Higher Chelburn Reservoir..
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..and it finally looks like the weather is improving
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That's better. Blue skies and sunshine as I leave the Pennine Bridleway and head up the path by Castle Clough.
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It's clouded over as I reach Blackstone Edge Reservoir and with the strong wind it feels pretty bleak
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Heading north on the Pennine Way
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Signs of blue skies as I look across Summit to Freeholds Top
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This lovely little stone arch bridge lets me cross the catchwater drain
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The rocky outcrop that is the site of "Rain" is just ahead
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"Rain" by Simon Armitage. One of the Stanza Stones.
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A view south to Blackstone Edge from the top of the outcrop
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The bleached grass and gritstone boulders look good in the sun
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The southern end of Light Hazzles Reservoir as I leave the Pennine Way..
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..to have a look at White Holme Reservoir
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After following the Pennine Way past Light Hazzles Reservoir I decided to follow a path around Warland Reservoir
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The bright trig point on Little Holder Stones above
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The path heads under the boulders of Stony Edge to the northern end of the reservoir
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Crossing Warland Drain
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Warland Reservoir from its northern end
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There's a brief chance for a view over Calderdale including the Stoodley Pike monument on the right
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Heading along the dam
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Warland Reservoir and Stony Edge
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Some nice little cascades as I follow the bridleway down Cote Clough
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The canal is back in sight as I reach the bottom of Warland Gate End

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© Alan Kilduff 2016-2021                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
  • HOME
  • About this site
  • Walking Diaries
    • 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
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