ColinJ
Puzzle game procrastinator!
- Location
- Todmorden - Yorks/Lancs border
I've just been reminded by @potsy that I promised to organise a post-lockdown forum walk, so this is what I have come up with...
Lockdown restrictions in England are planned to be eased on 17th May. Let's make it the Saturday following that... Assuming all is well then, the walk will take place on Saturday, 22nd May. Let's pencil in Saturday, 29th May as a reserve date in case of crappy weather on the 22nd. Stoodley Pike is at 400 metres above sea level and very exposed, so you don't want to be walking up there in foul conditions. Well, even if you are mad enough to want to, I don't!
We did something similar in 2013 but that was from Hebden Bridge. I have moved, so this one will start and finish in Todmorden, very close to the railway station, bus station, and car parking. I don't know how long the walk will take us. The longest variation of the route is 15 km (9.5 miles) with 2 big hills so I could easily see it being, say, 6+ hours?
Details of Todmorden car parks HERE. You may be able to find somewhere to park free if you can be bothered to drive around checking for spaces but that is up to you. The Halifax Rd car park is right behind the meeting place, usually has empty spaces, and would cost you £5.40 to get you through to 18:00, after which time it is free. We shouldn't be getting back that late, but why risk a parking fine for a couple of quid difference?
Meet at these benches on the Halifax Rd in the centre of Todmorden at about 09:50, and aiming to set off at 10:00.
We will start with an 8.3 km (5-and-a-bit miles) walk up to Stoodley Pike and thenceforth down to the valley bottom. The Pike is a splendid monument built to commemorate the defeat of Napoleon in 1814/1815. There are fantastic views from its viewing platform, accessible by an enclosed spiral stone staircase. It is very dark in there, so I suggest that you bring a small torch since we will definitely be having a photo-opportunity up there.
Here's a map (and elevation profile) of the first half of the route.
From there I will give you a choice of 3 routes back into the centre of town...
The easiest of the 3 choices (in case of the weather turning bad or legs packing up) is to simply walk 3 km (2 miles) back along the Rochdale canal towpath. I haven't bothered with including that on the map, because if you can't follow a towpath, then you definitely wouldn't understand the map!
The return leg options:
The energetic option (highlighted in purple) is to walk up to Great Rock on the opposite side of the valley. That is in another commanding position, with fantastic views. By the time we get up there we would have done most of the climbing. We would then continue on a gentle climb to the second summit, before a rapid descent to the town centre. That option is 7 km (4.5 miles) in length.
The final, 'intermediate' option for the return leg (highlighted in blue) is via Cross Stone - somewhere between the other 2 options in length and ascent. It is still very nice and has great views, but it would be quicker and easier than going via Great Rock. This option is 4.8 km (3 miles) in length
So...15.3 kms (9.5 miles) with 2 big hills, 13.1 km (8 miles) with 1.5 big hills, or 11.3 kms (7 miles) with just 1 hill.
You need to be hill-walking fit but don't need to be super-fit - we will not be fell-running!
There is absolutely nowhere en route to buy food or drink, so make sure that you carry enough to last you all day.
If anyone wants to hang about for a while afterwards to refuel we can buy goodies from Lidl (or one of the takeaways) on the Halifax Road and go and sit on a grassy area behind the car park by the meeting place.
If you are interested, post below!
Lockdown restrictions in England are planned to be eased on 17th May. Let's make it the Saturday following that... Assuming all is well then, the walk will take place on Saturday, 22nd May. Let's pencil in Saturday, 29th May as a reserve date in case of crappy weather on the 22nd. Stoodley Pike is at 400 metres above sea level and very exposed, so you don't want to be walking up there in foul conditions. Well, even if you are mad enough to want to, I don't!
We did something similar in 2013 but that was from Hebden Bridge. I have moved, so this one will start and finish in Todmorden, very close to the railway station, bus station, and car parking. I don't know how long the walk will take us. The longest variation of the route is 15 km (9.5 miles) with 2 big hills so I could easily see it being, say, 6+ hours?
Details of Todmorden car parks HERE. You may be able to find somewhere to park free if you can be bothered to drive around checking for spaces but that is up to you. The Halifax Rd car park is right behind the meeting place, usually has empty spaces, and would cost you £5.40 to get you through to 18:00, after which time it is free. We shouldn't be getting back that late, but why risk a parking fine for a couple of quid difference?
Meet at these benches on the Halifax Rd in the centre of Todmorden at about 09:50, and aiming to set off at 10:00.
We will start with an 8.3 km (5-and-a-bit miles) walk up to Stoodley Pike and thenceforth down to the valley bottom. The Pike is a splendid monument built to commemorate the defeat of Napoleon in 1814/1815. There are fantastic views from its viewing platform, accessible by an enclosed spiral stone staircase. It is very dark in there, so I suggest that you bring a small torch since we will definitely be having a photo-opportunity up there.
Here's a map (and elevation profile) of the first half of the route.
From there I will give you a choice of 3 routes back into the centre of town...
The easiest of the 3 choices (in case of the weather turning bad or legs packing up) is to simply walk 3 km (2 miles) back along the Rochdale canal towpath. I haven't bothered with including that on the map, because if you can't follow a towpath, then you definitely wouldn't understand the map!
The return leg options:
The energetic option (highlighted in purple) is to walk up to Great Rock on the opposite side of the valley. That is in another commanding position, with fantastic views. By the time we get up there we would have done most of the climbing. We would then continue on a gentle climb to the second summit, before a rapid descent to the town centre. That option is 7 km (4.5 miles) in length.
The final, 'intermediate' option for the return leg (highlighted in blue) is via Cross Stone - somewhere between the other 2 options in length and ascent. It is still very nice and has great views, but it would be quicker and easier than going via Great Rock. This option is 4.8 km (3 miles) in length
So...15.3 kms (9.5 miles) with 2 big hills, 13.1 km (8 miles) with 1.5 big hills, or 11.3 kms (7 miles) with just 1 hill.
You need to be hill-walking fit but don't need to be super-fit - we will not be fell-running!
There is absolutely nowhere en route to buy food or drink, so make sure that you carry enough to last you all day.
If anyone wants to hang about for a while afterwards to refuel we can buy goodies from Lidl (or one of the takeaways) on the Halifax Road and go and sit on a grassy area behind the car park by the meeting place.
If you are interested, post below!
Last edited:
