4th October 2014 - Stoodley Pike
Walk Details
Distance walked: 6.1 miles
Total ascent: 1169 ft
OS map used: OL21 - South Pennines
Time taken: 3.5 hrs
Route description: Lobb Mill-Haugh Lane-Mankinholes-London Road-Stoodley Pike-Pennine Way-Calderdale Way-Lumbutts-Lumbutts Clough-Castle Street-Rochdale Canal-Haugh Lane-Lobb Mill
My only opportunity for getting out somewhere this weekend would be today and fortunately the weather played ball and it brightened up around lunchtime. I was in Calderdale just last weekend but I thought why not go back and visit Stoodley Pike? My last visit was in January last year and it wasn't the most pleasant of days. Quite different today, blue skies and fluffy clouds.
From the picnic site at Lobb Mill I crossed the main road and walked the short distance to Haugh Lane and the bridge across the Rochdale Canal. I followed Haugh Lane uphill to the last dwelling and then the footpath through Shaw Wood to reach Mankinholes. I made my way through the village and onto the track of London Road, part of the Pennine Bridleway. This took me around the back of Stoodley Pike to a crossroads of paths and the Pennine Way which I then followed up to the monument. After taking in the views I stayed on the Pennine Way down to the guide post of Long Stoop and then onto the Calderdale Way down to Lumbutts. I then made my way past the Brink Top Inn and onto a path down Lumbutts Clough to Castle Street and the Rochdale Canal. A short walk along the towpath and I was back to Haugh Lane and the picnic site.
Total ascent: 1169 ft
OS map used: OL21 - South Pennines
Time taken: 3.5 hrs
Route description: Lobb Mill-Haugh Lane-Mankinholes-London Road-Stoodley Pike-Pennine Way-Calderdale Way-Lumbutts-Lumbutts Clough-Castle Street-Rochdale Canal-Haugh Lane-Lobb Mill
My only opportunity for getting out somewhere this weekend would be today and fortunately the weather played ball and it brightened up around lunchtime. I was in Calderdale just last weekend but I thought why not go back and visit Stoodley Pike? My last visit was in January last year and it wasn't the most pleasant of days. Quite different today, blue skies and fluffy clouds.
From the picnic site at Lobb Mill I crossed the main road and walked the short distance to Haugh Lane and the bridge across the Rochdale Canal. I followed Haugh Lane uphill to the last dwelling and then the footpath through Shaw Wood to reach Mankinholes. I made my way through the village and onto the track of London Road, part of the Pennine Bridleway. This took me around the back of Stoodley Pike to a crossroads of paths and the Pennine Way which I then followed up to the monument. After taking in the views I stayed on the Pennine Way down to the guide post of Long Stoop and then onto the Calderdale Way down to Lumbutts. I then made my way past the Brink Top Inn and onto a path down Lumbutts Clough to Castle Street and the Rochdale Canal. A short walk along the towpath and I was back to Haugh Lane and the picnic site.
Route map
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As I cross the Rochdale Canal at the start of the walk I'm lucky enough to see a barge using the lock at Lobb Mill
The Rochdale Canal as I follow Haugh Lane uphill
There's a short walk through Shaw Wood before emerging onto a paved path to the stables ahead
Sunshine lights up Stoodley Pike as the skies clear
Fantastic views of Calderdale from the track of London Road. The weather has changed and despite the sunshine it feels a bit fresh in the strong breeze.
The track continues uphill around the back of Stoodley Pike
Looking across the nearby moor and I can see the wooded valley of Jumble Hole Clough where I was last weekend
Made it to the summit of Stoodley Pike. A beautiful afternoon to be up here and it's quiet too. The village of Mankinholes is on the hillside below with Todmorden and the Cliviger gorge beyond.
Looking across to Langfield Edge
and across Calderdale to the moors above Colden Clough and Hebden Dale
Leaving the monument behind
The wide open spaces head south towards Blackstone Edge
Couldn't resist another shot of Calderdale
and across the hillside to Stoodley Pike
Todmorden and the Cliviger gorge
The guide stone of Long Stoop. It's my cue to join the Calderdale Way.
and head down to Lumbutts
Looking back to Lumbutts below Coldwell Hill
Todmorden comes into view over the tops of the trees as I follow the path down Lumbutts Clough
On the final bit down the track to Castle Street and the Rochdale Canal
Just a short walk along the towpath back to Haugh Lane