Distance: 8 Miles approx
Total ascent/descent: 1545ft
This is a varied walk with moderate challenges, wonderful views in all directions and pleasant canal-side walking.
The walk commences in the village with a short climb to the old railway track. From here we branch out across fields towards Saddleworth Church of St Chads, that dominates the village. After a short rest we will start climbing towards 'Pots and Pans', the name given to the hill on which the war memorial stands, because of the hollows in the stones which often contain water. We have taken the gentler route with excellent views and a variety of surfaces.
At the memorial take time to view the villages of Saddleworth and the memorial plaque. We then traverse the top towards Aldermans Hill and the view across Dovestone and the staircase of reservoirs. If the weather is kind this could be our lunch stop.
We now traverse northwards across Dick Hill to descend down to Pob Green and then along Running Hill Head towards Diggle. This is mostly open countryside with plenty of wild life and as we approach Diggle we can see the canal and main railway line from Manchester as well as the vast new housing estate.
From here we join the canal path and it is level walking all the way to the garden centre, with gaily painted boats queueing for the the 3 mile trip through the Standedge Tunnel to Marsden, children playing on the playground and a chance to purchase 'grandad greens' ice cream on the way.
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