Blackstone Edge Circular

Nigel Hunter

You need to log in as a member of Walkingworld to access the details for this walk. Join or log in above if you are already a member. Access is available to Walkingworld subscribers or you can buy the walk individually for £1.95 once you are logged in.

From Hollingworth Lake Visitors' Centre take the path north-east towards Littleborough. Then take the path through woods to Whittaker Golf Club. Cross golf course and take track towards Lydgate. Turn right and follow path and Roman road to the Aiggin Stone on the Pennine Way. Follow the Pennine Way south over Blackstone Edge, 472 metres.

Continue south over Redmires Bog, which now has a good path across it. Cross the M62 motorway via a high footbridge. At a radio mast turn south-west along a broad, undulating ridge over Windy Hills. This ridge gradually loses height until the valley on the north-east side can be accessed.

The route then goes under the M62 at Rakewood Viaduct and crosses a rugby ground. A short stretch of road then follows Longden End Brook. Walk along the east side of Hollingworth Lake back to your start point and a well-deserved pint in The Fisherman's Inn.

England - North England - Lancashire - Pennines

Features

Birds, Flowers, Great Views, Hills or Fells, Lake/Loch, Play Area, Pub, River, Toilets, Wildlife

22/04/2016 - Andy Booth

Did this again in August 2015 and the paths that were decimated by 4 x 4s were in a lot better condition which made this walk so much better.

31/07/2014 - Norman Brannick

Completed this walk 30th June 2014. I combined this walk with walk ID 1883 which made for a more interesting day, basically I completed walk 1883 first then returning to the car park started walk 195. Directions for both walks were clear and well defined so no issues there. I will just comment on walk 195 Blackstone Edge circular: The day started out overcast and gradually got worse the higher up I got to Blackstone Edge, there was a heavy mist and it was very windy so the views were a little restricted, however as the day wore on and coming down off Blackstone Edge the weather conditions got better. Great little walk really enjoyed it, I intend to walk it again but this time in better conditions. would recommend it. The distance covered for both walks was 12 miles.

14/04/2014 - janet binns

Did this walk yesterday with a friend. Directions all easy to follow. The path from the radio mast wasn't as bad as expected after reading previous comments. I think this would be better described as a moderate walk rather than strenuous. A walk worth doing.

11/05/2012 - Andy Booth

Four years on and Lee's comments still stand. This is a great walk up until the Radio mast. Then you enter the world of fly-tippers and ATVs. The paths have been decimated. It appears the ATVs have tried to carve out a path right through to WM14 and beyond as there is a hill just beyond the gate in the picture. They have smashed through the wall you can see just above the gate so they can scale the hill, which is heavily scarred now. To prevent this they have now placed 3 huge stone blocks and a mound of earth in front of and behind that gate in the picture. Decent walk up until that point so if you can find another route from WM12 to WM14 then it would be better.

26/01/2008 - Lee Cunningham

Did this walk today with a friend. The first half of the walk up the roman road across the Blackstone Edge and over the M62 was excellent. The route from Windy Hill Radi Mast across to the waymark 15 has been made extremely treachorous as it is apparent that it is a haven for off road motor cyclists. The paths have been seriously eroded, the ground is difficult to negotiate and it made a moderate walk a difficult walk. The weather was extremly windy at the top, and it had been raining so this would have contributed to the bad ground conditions. That said I would recommend people try it. This walk was a stand in because the Snake Pass was closed. I have to say the area really did surprise me.

29/08/2006 - Rupert Mainwaring

28.08.06 Wet and bleak start to this walk today. Persistent rain meant the climb to the Aiggen Stones was pretty tiring. Make sure you do not turn right at the first waymark as you ascend the hill. Continue to the top and you will be rewarded with the sight of the Aiggen Stones then turn right on to the Pennine Way. A fairly demanding walk in the weather but it did brighten up when I reached the footbridge across the M62 and descended along Windy Ridge. Only saw 4 other people during this walk, until I returned to Holligworth Lake where it was packed with Bank Holiday visitors. A very enjoyable walk with fantastic views when the mist clears!!!

09/07/2005 - Paul Johnson

9/7/05, did this walk today .at waymark 15 the metal style has been replaced by a timber one so dont go looking for the metal version. nice walk though.

14/01/2001 -

Completed this walk today (14/01/01), excellent walk! Directions good however be careful approaching waypoint 9. Without care it is easy to turn right along the path that follows Broad Head Drain as this point is a natural resting place with a gate and obvious track also heading right. This track runs for about 1km before disappearing! Be sure to continue until the Aiggin Stone is seen.