Get Lost Mountaineering

Snailsden Reservoir & Ramsden Clough East Edge

from Ramsden Reservoir

Start/Finish

A small rough gravel car park by the side of Ramsden Reservoir which is reached by a minor road signed from Holmbridge (near the church) on the A6024. Holmbridge is about 2 miles south west of Holmfirth.

Distance/Time

8 km.     About 2 – 3 hours.

Peaks

No peaks but the highest point is reached on Ramsden Clough East Edge at about 440 m.

OS 110: Sheffield & Huddersfield.    OS Outdoor Leisure 1: Dark Peak

Introduction

Some people say that Ramsden Clough is the finest in the Peak District area and it is hard to disagree with that. In some ways it resembles a rough highland glen. This short route follows some of the eastern edge of Ramsden Clough from Ruddle Clough to Crossley's Plantation and offers good views into the clough. This is not the most aesthetic walk as it uses part of the minor road from Holmfirth to Dunford Bridge but it is a fairly quiet road! Some of the tracks and paths can be quite muddy. On a clear day there are some excellent moorland views.

Route

(1) Walk up the path/track at the back of the car park and follow it up, going right before a stile. At the next junction, the main track goes left so follow it past Crossley's Plantation to the road. Turn right and follow the road uphill to about its highest point where a track is reached on the right. There is a map by the pedestrian gate. This is about 1 km up the road at SE 134 042. The track heads roughly W. Note that, despite being close, Snailsden Reservoir is not seen from the road at this point. Follow the track until a right hand bend where another track goes left and descends to the W end of Snailsden Reservoir. A very boggy track leaves the W end of the reservoir and heads roughly W towards Ramsden Clough meeting the edge path just after a small gate.

(2) Follow the path/track north along the eastern edge of Ramsden Clough and enjoy the views into the clough and beyond to Holme Moss transmitter. The path/track continues down the W side of Crossley's Plantation to reach a high wall where there is a stone stepped stile to the left. Be careful on the other side as the bottom step is missing! Continue along the edge of the wood to reach the metal gate which has to be climbed over to reach the outward track. Turn left and walk back along the track to the corner where the bench is. Go straight on here and follow the grassy path down to where it goes left at a broken wall. Follow the new path to the stile which gives access to the track above the car park. If the ground is muddy, don't cross the stile but go right and follow a faint path down more pleasant grassy fields then exit through the metal gate lower down. If the gate is not used, a barbed wire fence will have to be climbed over lower down.

Notes

(a) This walk took place on 14^th February, 2017.

(b) There are some other interesting edge walks in this area which are worthy of further exploration.