Black Hill

Route: Crowden Campsite Car Park - Pennine Way - Laddow Rocks - Dun Hill - Soldier's Lump - Tooleyshaw Moss - White Low - Hey Moss - Crowden Campsite Car Park

Distance: 9.5 miles

Classification: Marilyn, County Top

With: Caroline

Weather: Warm and dry

Trip report:
Black Hill, in the Peak District, is the highest point in West Yorkshire. It's a hill that I have climbed before doing the classic route from Crowden, over Laddow Rocks and back via Tooleyshaw Moss. As I was with the Mrs this time, I thought better of making her leap across the Tooleyshaw Moss bogs, so the plan was that we would come back the same way we had ascended.

An interesting fact according to Wikipedia is that up until quite recently Black Hill's summit had virtually no vegetation, and with it being so peaty, the hill had a very appropriate name. Check out the picture of the summit on Wikipedia and you'll see what I mean. These days though the grass and heather is flourishing and the black summit seems to be a thing of the past.

We parked up in the car park at the campsite in Crowden and made our way on to the Pennine Way and across pleasant fields before the hard work began. The climb of Oakenclough Brook up to Laddow Rocks is tough, but you'll be rewarded with great views once up there.

Laddow Rocks are a fantastic part of this walk, the gritstone cliffs at an altitude of around 520 metres provide great views back down towards Crowden, Bleaklow and the Crowden Great Brook valley. I'm not great with heights, and the path does get quite close to the edge, but I didn't feel uneasy at any point. There were hundreds of hangingflies (?) about again, at least I think that's what these things are, they had irritated and nearly made me abort my Diffwys walk. If anybody has any idea what these high altitude flies are please get in touch.

After leaving Laddow Rocks you descend slightly to meet Crowden Great Brook before ascending again over Dun Hill to the summit of Black Hill. It's easy walking, is paved in parts, although it does seem longer that it is in reality. I suppose that's because the ascent of Laddow Rocks has taken it out of you earlier on. The Mrs admitted she struggled on the final ascent of Black Hill, so upon reaching the summit we had a bite to eat and a hot drink before she said something I wasn't expecting.

"What's it like that other way back?" She was talking about Tooleyshaw Moss. I told her how notoriously boggy it was and how even after a week of solid sunshine earlier in the summer I had found it pretty difficult going over there. She told me she couldn't face ascending Laddow Rocks again on the way back and would rather we went back fighting the bogs over Tooleyshaw Moss!

"If you're sure..." I said. In truth it wasn't so bad this time and I think she may even have enjoyed the bog-hopping adventure. I explained that once we had made the large cairn on Tooleyshaw Moss the worst of it was over. We made it with no problems, just the usual couple of diversions and we were on our way.

There next follows a section through some peat groughs before a squelchy ascent of White Low and over West End Moss. It was wet but there was no real danger of ending up waist deep in bog, thank God! 

We finished the walk by descending Hey Moss and being back in the car, both absolutely shattered, but having enjoyed what in my opinion is the best walk I personally have done in West Yorkshire. 

So that's two accolades for Black Hill, the highest, and the best (in my humble opinion). The summit may not have the great views other places can offer, but the walk as a whole is a really enjoyable one. You're soon into the wilderness not long after leaving Crowden, and with great views along the way and highlights such as Laddow Rocks and Tooleyshaw Moss (!), this is easily my favorite in this county.

The start of the walk and a look back at the Torside Clough ascent for Bleaklow

A first sight of the imposing Laddow Rocks

On top of Laddow Rocks looking towards our destination

Spectacular views from Laddow Rocks back towards Crowden and Bleaklow

Crowden Great Brook - between Laddow Rocks and Black Hill

Black Hill summit - 582 metres

No great views unfortunately as the top is quite flat

Mountain Rescue seemed to be doing some kind up exercises up here

OK, here we go then... Tooleyshaw Moss

Tooleyshaw Moss

A look back up Crowden Little Brook towards Black Hill

A last look a Laddow Rocks from the other side now

Kinder Scout

Route: Bowden Bridge Car Park - Kinder Reservoir - William Clough - Pennine Way - Kinder Downfall - Kinder Low - Edale Cross - Oaken Clough - The Ashes - Bowden Bridge Car Park

Distance: 9.1 miles

Classification: Marilyn, Hewitt, Nuttall, County Top (highest point in Derbyshire), highest point in the Peak District

With: Caroline

Weather: Not cold but damp, some light showers, windy on top

Trip Report:

With the Mrs back up to full fitness and me craving a visit to the Peak District, I posed the question of Kinder Scout in order to bag her first Hewitt. I'm not sure she was too happy at waking up at 7am on a Sunday morning but I was worried as always about parking, so come just after 8am we were on our way.

The drive is always a pleasure in itself, particularly the A6024 between Holme and Crowden, passing the Holme Moss transmitter near to West Yorkshire's highest point (Black Hill) and the drop down to Crowden with Bleaklow lingering close by.

We parked up at Bowden Bridge and set off for Kinder Reservoir. From Kinder Reservoir we then picked up the path(s) that ford back and forth up William Clough. Strangely this early part of the walk was the highlight for me. It's just great fun and not too strenuous a climb up to join the Pennine Way. You leave civilisation behind at Kinder Reservoir and with there being numerous routes up Kinder Scout, this one, on this day, was pretty quiet. There are one or two occasions where you have to get your hands down to climb and heave yourself up, but nothing too drastic, it's just a real pleasure to ascend Kinder this way.

We then joined the Pennine Way and had an initial short, steep climb before heading towards Kinder Downfall. The plan was to have lunch at Kinder Downfall or at the trig at Kinder Low, but we were already starving! It must have been the climb of William Clough that did it. We found shelter from the wind in some rocks and quickly scoffed down our lunch before getting on our way again.

Kinder Downfall was a bit of a disappointment today, we didn't see any water falling never mind the infamous spray, maybe next time. We then headed for Kinder Low with me checking my GPS for the direction of Kinder's true summit. We were within 750 yards at one point but I didn't fancy off-roading on the peat at this point and the area it's in wasn't looking too inviting. We'll get there one day though.

After what seemed an eternity on the Pennine Way from Kinder Downfall, we finally hit the trig point at Kinder Low. It doesn't seem too far on the map from Kinder Downfall but it just wouldn't come, it felt like we were going for ever! But we got there. "It looks like we're on the moon", Caroline said, it was hard to disagree. We had the place to ourselves for quite a while, then after a few pictures and general mucking around climbing the stone the trig point is on, we set off in the direction of Edale Rocks for our descent.

We were both starting to tire, and after reorganising the rucksack near to Edale Cross we got back walking again and completely missed the cross! I realised about 100 yards after it, but there was no turning back, we had the awful bridleway at Oaken Clough to negotiate. This rocky path requires concentration of where you are putting your feet, but it did have it's upsides. It was here I saw two unfamiliar peaks, South Head and Mount Famine. I could see people at the summits of both of them. I liked the look of them so they've been added to the list of must-dos.

The walk ended with us walking along the River Kinder back to our car at Bowden Bridge. It had been another really good walk. For me, the ascent up William Clough was a real highlight. It's one of a number of ways up Kinder Scout, and at Edale Rocks we could see others ascending via Jacob's Ladder. We'll be up there again no doubt, probably using Jacob's Ladder as part of the walk, or will it be Crowden Tower next time? So many decisions on one mountain.

A look at Kinder Scout from Kinder Reservoir not long after starting the walk

Looking back down the wonderful William Clough

Towards the top of William Clough now and the views start opening out

A look back at the Pennine Way not long after joining it

Getting high!

A look back at Kinder Reservoir with ominous looking clouds

Kinder Low trig - 633 metres and today's highest point

A look towards the Vale of Edale

South Head and Mount Famine - food for thought

First time I've seen one of these!

Black Hameldon

Route: Gorple Lower Reservoir - Reap's Cross - Noah Dale - Hoof Stones Height - Hare Stones - Gorple Stones - Widdop Reservoir

Distance: 9.8 miles

Classification: None

Weather: Cloudy, warm, mostly dry under foot

It's difficult to find many words to say about this walk, this is good, honest, featureless moorland. But that's not to say it isn't an enjoyable walk, if it's solitude and peace you require on the hills then Black Hameldon is a good choice. 

The walk started at a small lay-by car park near to Gorple Lower Reservoir. I joined the Pennine Bridleway and walked along the dam before joining the Pennine Way, with the intention of taking in the trig at Standing Stone Hill. Unfortunately for me, the path on the OS map from the Pennine Way to the trig has disappeared, so I gave up the ghost and returned to the Pennine Bridleway.

I then turned off the Pennine Bridleway to take in Reap's Cross. The cross dates back to the 1400s and marks an ancient pathway across the Pennines. It was restored in 2002 by local residents having broken in two.

From Reap's Cross I followed a very faint path to Noah Dale which was the beginning of the climb to Black Hameldon's summit, Hoof Stones Height. It didn't take long from here to reach the summit. Something I really enjoyed about this hill is that the views are saved until you are within just seconds of the summit, you have no idea what's in store, no sneak previews, then suddenly you are surrounded by 360 degree views to Pendle Hill, Stoodley Pike, Emley Moor, Boulsworth Hill, the Bowland fells, and on a good day like today even Ingleborough and Pen-y-ghent far to the north.

From the summit I followed the ridge north to Hare Stones and then on to Gorple Stones. Again there isn't much of a path but a fence separating Lancashire and Yorkshire can be used as a handrail here.

Finally the walk takes in Widdop Reservoir, probably the most picturesque part of the walk other than the summit. As said earlier, this is barren moorland, but I personally enjoy this. The higher peaks will attract the hordes in good weather, I'd rather leave them for during the week and take in a good walk like this where you'll be lucky to come across a dozen people all day.

Gorple Lower Reservoir shortly after starting the walk

Reap's Cross - originally dating back to the 1400s

Reap's Cross with the Pack Horse Inn at Widdop in the background

The faint path leading to Noah Dale

Thankfully a few of these helped confirm you were heading in the right direction

At the summit now, and a faint Ingleborough in the distance

Beautiful Pendle Hill

Hoof Stones Height trig - 479m

A faint Pen-y-ghent in the distance

Burnley and Turf Moor with the Bowland hills of Parlick and Fair Snape Fell in the distance

The regular lunch stop pic

The handrail fence that leads from the summit to Hare Stones and on to Gorple Stones

Hameldon Hill

Widdop Reservoir from the Pennine Bridleway

Widdop Reservoir from the dam

Whernside

Route: The Station Inn, Ribblehead - Ribblehead Viaduct - Blea Moor Sidings - Slack Hill - Grain Ings - Whernside Summit - Broadrake - Ivescar - Gunnerfleet Farm - Ribblehead Viaduct - The Station Inn, Ribblehead

Distance: 8.3 miles

Classification: Marilyn, Hewitt, Nuttall, County Top (North Yorkshire, and the whole of Yorkshire)

Weather: Glorious, welcome slight breeze, slightly colder on top


On another glorious day in 2013, we're having a few, we set off early up to North Yorkshire for the climb of Yorkshire's highest peak, Whernside. At 736 metres (2,414 feet), Whernside is slightly higher than it's near neighbour Ingleborough, which I climbed a few weeks before. 

My walking partner, the Mrs, is still recovering from ankle ligament damage descending Simon's Seat, so she sunbathed on a patch of grass near to Ribblehead Viaduct while I climbed Whernside on my own. She had a nice day by all accounts, certainly more relaxing than mine!

I had read that Whernside didn't have any particular highlights in the way its Three Peak counterparts Ingleborough and Pen-y-ghent do, but being higher than both is an attraction in itself, and the walk does begin at the picturesque Ribblehead Viaduct which is great setting for the start of the walk.

It is true that the climb up Whernside is more remote and desolate than Ingleborough and Pen-y-ghent, but this suited me, as with it being such a nice day I was expected hordes of people on Whernside. I saw maybe 40 people on the whole of the walk, not many when you think this is Yorkshire's highest peak and one of the Yorkshire Three Peaks.

The climb itself isn't too strenuous, the sharp climb up to Little Ingleborough is much harder, the track up Whernside is a long, gradual slog, not bad at all. The descent though is difficult, it is steep and mentally tiring as you are constantly choosing where to put your feet. If you want to admire the views, make sure you stop as you may find yourself tumbling over or turning your ankle over here.

The start - Ribblehead Viaduct with Whernside behind

Here we go!

Looking at Whernside from Blea Moor signal box

Force Gill waterfall - can look impressive, not today though

The clear path up

Another viaduct further along the line

A look back at the path up

Un-named tarn near the top

A closer look at the Howgills with the shapely Yarlside dead centre

Looking north with the Howgills on the right of shot

Ingleborough and a faint Pendle back to back

Whernside summit - 736 metres

A closer look at the battered trig

The tight walkthrough to the trig, what's this all about?

Looking down at Ribblehead Viaduct from Whernside

Lunch stop pic - still on the top

A final look at Ingleborough - recently I've seen it called 'Yorkshire's Table Mountain', I can see why

A closer look at Ribblehead Viaduct at the end of the walk