Standedge - Marsden - Wessenden Valley - Standedge

Sam Roebuck

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This is a walk of wide variety, from high Pennine moorland to edge-walking, river and canal banks. It visits the little Pennine town of Marsden, passing the excellent visitor centre at the end of the Standedge Tunnel (Britain's longest and deepest canal tunnel). This is well worth a visit if time permits.

The walk predominently uses named footpaths which are easy to follow and are in good condition. It starts with an easy climb along the Pennine Way to Standedge, before dropping to Marsden via the old pack-horse road now used as the 'Station to Station Path' between Marsden and Newhey. At the Standedge Tunnel Visitor Centre, the route picks up the Kirklees Way, initially along the Huddersfield Narrow Canal and then climbing along the Wessenden Valley. A short but very steep climb is then used to cross to the Pennine Way, which rises to Wessenden Moor and onwards to return to the start.

England - North England - Yorkshire - Pennines

Features

Church, Great Views, Hills or Fells, Industrial Archaeology, Pub, Public Transport, River

6/14/2020 - Gary Horgan

What an incredible walk. Fantastic views, nothing too strenuous and really clear directions. Best walk we’ve done in 20 years of walking!!

2/24/2014 - Norman Brannick

Completed this walk 24th Feb. 2014. I have completed 5 Walkingworld walks since January 2014 and this in my opinion is the best one I have done so far, the map and descriptions were straight forward to follow, taking in many landscapes and the village of Marsden. There are sections of the pennine way, crossing Marsden Moor which are being prepared for paving which would make it easier to cross in the future. I would highly recommend this walk.

4/26/2012 - Andy Booth

Brilliant varied walk from canal towpaths to waterfalls! WM4 instruction could just say 'As the path dips slightly look for a concrete marker and follow the 'Pennine Way' and at WM5 about 200 yards short of the road there is a new well-defined path off to the right with a stone marker visible which is the same marker you would reach if you went up to the road and turned sharp right as it doubles back. Obviously if you do take this shortcut when you reach the stone marker you want to take the path to the right. Also at WM18 if you don't fancy the scramble up hill then continue on at the fingerpost and cross Wessenden Reservoir and take the path right. Follow it until you come to an apparent dead-end at the waterfall. Wade through the water to get to the other side (it isn't deep!) and follow the clearly defined path until you reach a small mast. You are back at WM19.

10/26/2005 - Walkingworld Administrator