A walk with a trek across open moorland and hillsides to the March Haigh Reservoir, and then back alongside the mighty Huddersfield Narrow Canal. Good navigation skills are required for this walk.
The Route
- what3words for start point: ///under.gains.tacky
- Start / Finish Point: Marsden Railway Station, Marsden, Huddersfield HD7 6AX
- Distance: 5 Miles
GPX Route Map
Download file for GPSWalk Description
Leave the railway station by the bridge, and turn right. At the junction, turn left down Reddisher Road – taking care as there is no pavement here. At the Public Footpath sign, turn right. Continue up the hill and to the left side of the cluster of trees, but swinging around to the right to meet a lane. Turn left and follow the lane past three farms before a slight double bend. Continue past two more farms and eventually, the lane becomes a tarmacked road at a junction.
Turn right and then around the corner, walking past some houses. Carry on up the track veering to the right, past another farm and onto the open moorland. The path is clear enough on the ground as it steadily climbs on the hillside. Eventually after gently turning to the right, the path crosses a stream and then around some trees to the left to reach a road through a gate.
Turn right, past the house, and turn left at the junction. Follow this track around to the right until it splits. Here, take the left fork, and then the public footpath to the left onto the open moor.
Follow the clear path along the side of valley, across two footbridges and to meet the southern tip of March Haigh Reservoir. With the reservoir behind you, cross the stream, then keep it to your left as you head over the moor. Cross another stream and then turn left to follow a much clearer path.which follows the stream, and then crosses it. The path drops sharply here, over a bridge, then another, to join the Standedge Trail. The path meets Blake Lee Lane, turning right. Walk along this narrow road until it turns in Water Road, and turn right down Ainsley Lane.
Turn left through the gap in the wall to the car park of the Standedge Tunnel Visitors Centre. Turn left over the footpath to cross the canal, and then follow the tow path all the way back to the railway station.
