Marsden Moors & Canal

The walk starts from Marsden Station/National Trust Visitor Centre and heads along the Huddersfield Canal to Tunnel End where the Canal emerges/enters Standedge Tunnel the highest and longest in the UK and jointly with the rail line. There is a Visitor Centre and Cafe here at which we may dally!? Then the climb! Up and over the tunnel onto the rear of Pule Hill and round to the east with views back onto Tunnel End and the Village. We eventually emerge onto a wide farm track and the Standedge Trail taking us to Mount Rd which we cross and walk over Warcock Moor to Redbrook Reservoir below the imposing summit of Pule Hill where there maybe hang-gliders floating above us!? 

A quick dash across the busy A62 and were onto the moors and the Pennine Way path that takes us all along Close Moor Edge with rock outcrops a trip point at 448mts and great views across Saddleworth and beyond to the Cheshire Plain and Manchester City Centre and even the Welsh hills on a clear day! The path is clear, reasonably level and in parts stone slabs so bog hopping may not be part of the days activities! We go right across to the A640 Huddersfield Rd after a long section actually in Greater Manchester County. Just before the road we turn due east to head back to Marsden immediately crossing the watershed where we can see Haigh Gutter that flows west and ends up in the Irish Sea and Willmer Green Clough that ends up in the North Sea!!

There`s a steep descent off the Moor down Willykay Clough to Close Gate old packhorse stone Bridge and follow the wooded stream valley back to Tunnel End where there should be time for Tea & cake at the Cafe or a pint at the pub!? and just a few hundred mts back along the canal to the Station.