Holmfirth via Hinchliffe Mill, Ramsden Road, Holme Styes Reservoir and Cartworth Moor

Holmfirth, West Yorkshire, United Kingdom
Thursday, 27 December, 2012
Route 42

A circular walk from Holmfirth, by way of Hinchliffe Mill, Dobb, Ramsden Road, Hollin Hill, Holme Styes Reservoir, Cartworth Moor and New Dunsley.

Information

Distance (km): 
11.24 km
Distance (miles): 
6.98 miles
Elevation (start point): 
154 metres
Latitude (start point): 
53.5695
Longitude (start point): 
-1.78895
OS Grid Ref (start point): 
SE 14074 08120
Nearest Post Code: 
HD9 2JW
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Details

Route summary 

An easy walk using well trodden footpaths and tracks to explore two valleys that supported the local textile industries.

From the old toll house at Holmfirth follow Woodhead Road until Victoria, where a footpath leaves the road behind and follows the northern bank of the River Holme, skirting the large collection of buildings that is Bottoms Mill. Admire the huge red brick chimney standing defiantly above the valley bottom and notice the flora clinging to its brickwork.

Pass by Bottoms' mill pond then squeeze between the River Holme and the mill race and continue towards Hinchliffe Mill. For a short distance the route rejoins tarmac but soon takes another footpath at Dobb Dike. Follow the path across fields then head uphill along the edge of another dike, climbing gently at first until Moss Edge where the climb becomes more severe. The reward for this climb is splended views across to Holme Moss, Digley and Wessenden.

Joining Ramsden Road the ascent is once again quite gentle as the route passes Crossley's Plantation where pine trees just about cling to life. The Holme valley is now left behind as a track gradually descends past Elysium, through the plantations at Hades and Hollin Hill, and into the Ribble valley. The descent now becomes steeper but soon reaches the tranquillity of Holme Styes reservoir.

Proceed along the eastern banks of Holme Styes before descending to the valley bottom to cross the River Ribble. A steep but short climb reaches a row of derelict weavers' cottages before turning onto a track. Again one is rewarded with wonderful views. This time across to Emley Moor and beyond, and once again the remnants of the textile industry are all around.

Ribble valley is left behind as Cartworth Moor Road heads back to the Holme valley, where a track passes a tiny hamlet of weavers cottages awaiting redevelopment. Rejoin tarmac again and follow the lane past the cemetery, down Goose Green and back into Holmfirth centre.

Route directions 

From the Toll House (SE 10473 08108) walk south-west along Woodhead Road for approximately 500m until just past the Toad & Tatie pub/restaurant. Turn left at the second public footpath sign just before a row of terraced houses (0.65km, SE 13503 07805). Follow this footpath alongside the north bank of the River Holme. The footpath skirts around a large complex of industrial units known as Bottoms Mill and emerges by a large mill pond. Join the path that runs alongside the mill pond and proceed in a south-westerly direction towards the village of Hinchliffe Mill. The River Holme is on the left and a mill race on the right. At the end of the mill race join a tarmac road that provides access to a derelict mill. Follow this road past a row of cottages on the left then and join Dobb lane (1.87km, SE 12633 07100).

Turn left along Dobb Lane, past a mill pond and over a road bridge. Follow this road uphill, ignore a right fork and continue past Hinchliffe Mill Junior School. Continue along this road until a road junction at which point the road turns sharp left and Woodhouse Lane joins.

To the right of an access track find a wall stile (2.51km, SE 12480 06550) that drops down to join a footpath that descends steeply to a foot bridge over Dobb Dike. Cross the footbridge and climb to a gate and bear right through trees until a field is reached.

The path now crosses several fields and stiles as it follows a line of modern houses on the right. Keep to the top side of a cluster of cottages and join a narrow grassed track heading uphill in a south westerly direction (3.03km, SE 12040 06360). After 150m climb a stile to join a tree lined dike. Turn left and ascend quite steeply along a clearly defined path. After 200m at a stile, turn right (3.4km, SE 12060 06040) and follow a path around the contours of Moss Edge.

The path becomes more clearly defined as it rises to a gated style (3.63km, SE 12030 05865). Turn right along a grass track and follow a wall as it sweeps round to the left eventually meeting a broad grass track. Proceed along this track until its junction with Ramsden Road (3.95km, SE 12088 05625).

Go straight ahead along Ramsden Road, gently climbing past Crow Hill and on past Crossley's Plantation eventually meeting a metalled road (5.0km, SE 12988 04993). Cross the road diagonally to a long, wide, straight track known as Cartworth Moor Road.

Proceed along Cartworth Moor Road for 500m until another track crosses (5.60km, SE 13140 05493), take a right turn and proceed along this track in an easterly direction, passing Elysium Farm on the right and a barn on the left. Ignore a footpath from the left and a track from the right. Proceed straight ahead gradually descending.

Just after the remains of a building on the right, the track goes straight ahead but I prefer to swing to the left (SE 13843 05290) and follow a forest track through a clearing eventually joining a narrow track (6.32km, SE 14038 05513) that descends rapidly to Holme Styes reservoir.

Cross the bridge at Holme Styes Reservoir and take a track following the east bank of the reservoir to meet a metalled road at (7.27km, SE 14200 05603). Go straight ahead along this metalled road until just past the dam wall where a narrow track descends from the road (7.43km, SE 14120 05753). After 50m descend steps to a footpath that leads to a footbridge over the River Ribble. Follow a path into woodland as it winds up the northern edge of Fox Clough. Ignore footpaths on the right that lead off across fields and continue to climb, eventually passing a row of derelict weavers cottages (8.0km, SE 13645 05697).

Immediately after the last cottage turn right along a track. Continue along this track for 175m to an habitable building (8.2km, SE 13678 05873). Take a broad track off to the left (Weather Hill Lane) and after 400m turn right, back onto Cartworth Moor Road. Follow this road until the junction with Gill Lane and Cartworth Bank Road (9.64km, SE 13518 06785).

Keep straight ahead on a track passing an agricultural building on the left. This used to be The Rising Sun public house but was burnt to the ground in the 1980's and never rebuilt.

Follow this track (Dunsley Bank Road), gradually descending until Ward Place (10.2km, SE 12913 07410), a cluster of old cottages awaiting re-development. A narrow track drops down to the left and passes between the cottages and continues downhill to meet a metalled road by a line of horse troughs. Turn right along Brow Lane, this eventually passes the cemetery and becomes Cemetery Road. Turn left (11.0km SE 14132 08005) along an old cobbled road known as Goose Green. Descend steeply along Goose Green to join Hollow Gate. Turn sharp left along Hollow Gate and cross the packhorse bridge back to the Toll House.