First Walk of the Season

will be from
UPPERMILL
on 

Saturday 10th March 2012

We will be doing the walks scheduled for last November which unfortunately had to be cancelled

Saddleworth lies in the West Riding of Yorkshire. It covers over 18,000 acres much of which is open land with breathtaking views from hills over looking scenic valleys. Most of the population resides in beautiful villages, each with their own distinct character.
The area is rich in history with many myths and legends. It is also famous for a few some what darker moments. One being the Bill-O-Jacks murders in 1832 at the Moorcock Inn, when the Landlord and his son were bludgeoned to death. The case has never been solved. The Inn has long since been demolished, but the site where it stood can easily be picked out from the A635 Holmfirth road looking down towards Greenfield reservoir. A gravestone at Saddleworth Parish Church is a grim reminder of the event that shocked the community.

There will be three walks;

• A Walk led by -  Tony McDonald
• B Walk led by - Les Gibson
• C Walk led by - Terry Simmons

up to date details will be posted shortly

A Walk at Uppermill

Walk Leader: Tony McDonald

Distance: 9.12miles

Total Ascent/Descent:

This walk is relatively gentle, the route exits Uppermill on single track roads and heads for the “Dick Hill” and there is a steep walk to the war memorial at the top of the hill, reaching the peak height of 420 metres. From there there is a good view of the Oldham and the surrounding countryside. Sorry but is all downhill from here, the track follows pleasant paths to dove stone reservoir, and we cover virtually all the paths along the two reservoirs, the views are very pleasant and the walking is on good well used paths.

After the reservoirs the route climbs slightly (another false box of chocolates) and offers good views of Uppermill. There is a pleasant walk along rural areas with horses and farms. We then cross country following a major foot path that has been well disguised by land owners, but we found them. After walking through fields and woods there is a short walk along a main road and then. We turn right along the canal the route is very pretty and interesting. After around one and a half miles the track along the canal finishes in the village of Uppermill.

B Walk at Uppermill

Walk Leader: Les Gibson

Total Distance: 7.6 miles

Total Ascent/Descent: 1380 ft approx

Todays Route. click to enlarge

 This 7.6 mile treck is very scenic with canal and riverside walks, a duck pond is also an attraction. After passing a canal boat wharf we make our way along paths and through fields towards a very rewarding climb to 'Pots and Pans', where the views on the right day are stunning.

Morning sunshine dispersing the autumnal mists at the start of our walk

Reflections on a calm canal

Glorious Autumnal colours delight the eye.

The beacon on top of 'Pots and Pans', which we will visit in the afternoon

Some lovely paths with fantastic views [a few muddy patches as well!]

'Pots and Pans' and Alderman Hill with the mill pond in the foreground

Les tries to move one of the 'pots' out of the way.

Our final descent from the memorial with Uppermill below

This lovely walk has only one stile to negotiate and different views at every turn.

C Walks from Uppermill

Walk Leader: Terry Simmons

Total Distance: 6 Miles approx

Total Ascent/Descent: 850 ft approx

click to enlarge map

FROM THE COACH PARK WE IMMEDIATELY WALK INTO THE TOWN STRAUGHT ACROSS THE MAIN ROAD AND THRU THE PARK, [KIDDIES AREA ON OUR LEFT] GO ACROSS THE STEPPING STONES AND TURN RIGHT ALONG THE CANAL PATH UNDER THE RAIL BRIDGE THEN IMMEDIATELY TURN LEFT OVER A SMALL BRIDGE INTO THE CAR PARK OF THE “GARDEN CENTRE “ WHERE WE WILL STOP FOR COFFEE/TEA. THIS IS JUST UNDER A MILE INTO OUR WALK. {TOILETS AVAILABLE].

WE DEPART FROM THE GARDEN CENTRE AFTER BEVERAGES, BACK TO CORNER OF THE CAR PARK UP THE STEPS TURN RIGHT UNDER BRIDGE THEN RIGHT ON TO THE DELPH DONKEY LINE. HAIPIN RIGHT DOWN TO ROAD TURNING RIGHT ACROSS WATER
BRIDGE [NEW BANK CLOSE] ACROSS ROAD AND FACING THE SHAMBLES PUB WE GO ALONG LANE PASSING COTTAGES UP TO THE WOODS PASSING SCHOOL ON THE LEFT. WE THEN FOLLOW THE GREEN SIGN , ABOVE RIGHT IS THE “TAME WATER” LAKE.SEE EXIT RIGHT UP TO ROAD TURN RIGHT . GO LEFT UP STEPS TURN RIGHT, BOWLS CLUB ON RIGHT. GO DOWN TOWARDS SWAN PUB TURN RIGHT ON TO WOODS LANE PAST THE POST OFFICE ON LEFT THEN FOLLOW SIGN LEFT OF CHURCH.

WE THEN GO RIGHT OVER STYLE KEEPING TO EDGE OF FIELD ON TO ROAD.

*** WE TURN LEFT PASSING THE NEW BANK GARDEN CENTRE ON YOUR RIGHT AND AT T JUNCTION WE TURN RIGHT AND IMMEDIATELY RIGHT DOWN ON TO THE CANAL PATH AT “BROWNHILLS” HEADING TO THE RIGHT. {TOILETS AVAILABLE] FOR “DIGGLE”.

WE CROSS THE CANAL AT “LOCK No 28” AND AT “LOCK No 32 “ SUBJECT TO TIME WE CAN STOP FOR LUNCH

AFTER LUNCH WE HEAD FOR DIGGLE PASSING THE ENTRANCE TO TRHE OLD Railway TUNNEL [NOT IN USE} GO ALONG STATION LANE AND TURN RIGHT ACROSS RAIL BRIDGE ON TO ROAD PASSING CHURCH ON LEFT, AT TOP OF ASCENT WE PASS LEE CROSS FARM ON RIGHT.GO ON TO FOOTPATH CROSSING THREE STILES { BOGGY IN THIS AREA ] TAKE CARE.GO LEFT AT HOLLY GROVE THEN ON TO PENINNE BRIDLEWAY , CONTINUE DOWN TO UPPERMILL AT RYLANDS FARM GO LEFT THEN TAKE PATH ON RIGHT JUST PAST “HIGHER RYFIELDS HOUSE” ACROSS ROAD ON TO PATH. PASSING SCHOOL ON THE BRIDLEWAY BACK TO COACH PARK AT UPPERMILL.

*** AT THIS POINT ANYONE WISHING TO JUST DO A SHORTER WALK CAN HEAD BACK TO UPPERMILL THROUGH THE GARDEN CENTRE AND BACK ACROSS THE STEPPING STONES.

A Selection of Photographs from the 2011 Walks

Fell club walks 2011 web

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