Yorkshire Walks

Exploring the Peak National Park

Map based on Ordnance Survey mapping by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office. © Crown Copyright.

A bracing walk exploring the little corner of the Peak National Park that lies in West Yorkshire.

Distance 5 miles (9km)
Allow 2 hours
Map OS Landranger 110
Terrain Moderate, some open moorland
Parking Limited car parking in Holme village

Yorkshire folk will be reassured to learn that this walk explores the north east corner of the Peak National Park without ever leaving God's Own County. The Holme Valley, stretching south from Huddersfield, is punctuated by characterful little villages, traditionally reliant on the textile industries, including Holmfirth, now more widely known as the 'Last of the Summer Wine' town.

To those approaching the national park via the Holme Valley, the village of Holme is almost the last outpost of civilisation on the A6024. Beyond Holme the 12-mile drive to Glossop takes motorists through some of the wildest country in the north. No wonder this road, along with the Snake Pass a few miles to the south, is one of the first to get snowed up each winter.

The Fleece Inn is a cosy pub that offers a warm welcome to those walkers considerate enough to remove their muddy boots. There is even a hitching rail and trough round the back for those who arrive on horseback; appropriate since the Fleece was once a livery stable catering for trains of laden packhorse ponies.

Photographs on the wall recall the terrible flood of Whit Monday 1944, when the Holme Valley - and, in particular, the little town of Holmfirth - was devastated by floodwater. Food is available Tuesday to Saturday from 12-2pm, and 7-9pm, and throughout the day on summer Sundays. Tel: 01484-683449.

Walk left from the pub along the road for just 50m, and bear left up a road (the first few metres are cobbled). Walk 150m up the road and take a gate on the right, opposite a house called the Nook. The gate gives access to a walled track, signed as part of the Kirklees Way Follow this track to get long views up the Holme Valley, with Emley Moor TV mast looking like an exclamation mark at the end.

A field-path, punctuated by gap-stiles in walls, gradually leads you towards a reservoir. Just 75m from the water's edge, bear left along a more substantial path. Cross a tiny beck on a wooden bridge, take a kissing gate, then follow the path through a gate in a wall. Walk downhill, via steep steps, to take a causeway between two expanses of water: Bilberry Reservoir to the left, Digley Reservoir to the right.

In 1852 the dam of Bilberry Reservoir burst, transforming the normally placid River Holme into a raging torrent. Far worse than the later flood of 1944, this tragedy claimed 81 lives.

At the far side of the reservoir follow the path left, uphill, bearing sharp right after a metal gate. Beyond a blue Yorkshire Water sign you bear left along a broader track between dry-stone walls. Follow the track, on a gradual uphill gradient, as it goes sharp right, then sharp left at a T-junction of tracks, soon passing a pair of barns.

After the path wiggles a bit more, you have more excellent views behind you across Digley Reservoir and up the Holme Valley Pass another pair of barns, then a farmhouse that enjoys the same valley view. 100m beyond the farmhouse take a step-stile in the wall on your left, to join a field-path accompanying a wall down into Marsden Clough.

Take a stile and walk downhill, to cross the beck on a wooden footbridge (if you need a sandwich break, this is the place). The path ahead is clear, bearing left, uphill, onto open, unenclosed moorland: the haunt of curlews, lapwings and red grouse. Your path soon levels out and bears right, around Hey Clough. A long left curve then takes you downhill, crossing little becks, until the path climbs the opposite flank of Hey Clough.

Your path levels out, and joins a more substantial grassy track, as open moorland gives way to fields once again. The track, now between walls, is ruler-straight, with Emley Moor mast a prominent feature on the far horizon. Tracks join - first from the right, then from the left - but your way is ahead, along the cinder track. After a solitary house the track becomes metalled; follow this road downhill and back into Holme village.

From 'Pub Walks in the Peak District' by John Morrison

The information given in this walk has been provided in good faith and is intended only as a general guide. Whilst all reasonable efforts have been made to ensure that details were correct at the time of publication, the author and Country Publications Ltd cannot accept any responsibility for inaccuracies. It is the responsibility of individuals undertaking outdoor activities to approach the activity with caution and, especially if inexperienced, to do so under appropriate supervision. The activity described in this walk is strenuous and individuals should ensure that they are suitably fit before embarking upon it. They should carry the appropriate equipment and maps, be properly clothed and have adequate footwear. They should also take note of weather conditions and forecasts, and leave notice of their intended route and estimated time of return.