Digley Reservoir - Holme - Digley

Kevin Pearson

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This is a lovely circular walk high up in the Holme Valley above Holmfirth. The walk is centred around the two reservoirs of Bilberry and Digley and actually takes you across the embankment which separates the two.

It's a great walk at any time of year, but the scenery is undoubtedly at its best in late summer, when much of the area is covered in a colourful carpet of purple heather.

The walk starts at the car park just above Digley Reservoir, but you are soon climbing to the higher ground, from where you are rewarded with some wonderful views over the reservoir and the Peak District hills beyond.

You then head west for a couple of kilometres along a fairly flat, wide track, before dropping down into one of the cloughs which are commonplace in this part of the country. (Cloughs are narrow, steep-sided upland valleys, which usually have a stream running along the bottom).

The wooden footbridge which crosses the stream at this point is known locally as Blackpool Bridge and is a lovely spot for a rest or a picnic. The streams which flow through Dean Clough and Reap Hill Clough join here before flowing down through Marsden Clough and into Bilberry Reservoir.

It's quite a steep climb away from the bridge, but fortunately not a very long one. You are soon at the top of the hill and then into the heather-covered open moorland. As you walk along here, the hills in front of you carry the Pennine Way as it climbs towards the desolate peat-bog of Black Hill just to the south.

After dropping down to cross the stream at Hey Clough, there is then a short climb to reach the ruler-straight track known as Issues Road. As you walk along here, there are wonderful long-distance views to the east. The skyline is dominated by Emley Moor television transmitter, but on a clear day you can see the power stations at Ferrybridge and Drax, some forty miles away.

At the end of Issues Road, the track drops away towards the little village of Holme. If you want to take a short detour into the village there is a lovely pub called The Fleece which serves great food.

If you can resist the temptation of the village pub, the route turns left just as you enter the village and heads across lovely open meadows towards the southern side of the reservoirs. The path then takes you across the embankment between the two reservoirs, before climbing back to the starting point.

England - North England - Yorkshire - Peak District

Features

Birds, Great Views, Hills or Fells, Moor, Pub, Public Transport, Toilets, Waterfall, Wildlife

10/16/2022 - Anthony Mumford

There is now a Footpath Sign at the stile pictured at WM5.

7/28/2021 - Gerry Beamond

We have recently completed this walk twice as it is spectacular . The route is easy to follow but watch out for the stile on your left where you turn down to Blackpool bridge as it is easy to miss as the Yorkshire water sign you are looking for has gone missing . After the bridge keep on walking as the path levels up and eventually turns left as it becomes issues road

5/26/2015 - alec jackson

Good walk with small/medium dogs. Squeeze stiles between WM10 and WM11 very narrow so larger dogs may struggle.

5/26/2015 - alec jackson

Good walk with small/medium dogs. Squeeze stiles between WM10 and WM11 very narrow so larger dogs may struggle.

3/27/2015 - Andy Booth

Did this walk again on 24/03/15 and it's pretty much as it was. Still a dog toilet on the path from car park to the quarry but once you leave the 'brown brick road' it's an enjoyable walk.

6/7/2013 - Andy Booth

Did this walk on 04/06/13 and the Yorkshire water sign mentioned in WM4 and pictured in WM5 has gone so keep an eye out for the brown sign also pictured instead. On the final WM instead of taking the path back to the car park I took the path running behind the seat mentioned in WM11 and followed it round to the right and at the T-junction at Greaves Head retraced the route from WM4 back to the car park. This cut out the path along the North shore of the reservoir which is basically a dog toilet. Thanks to WW for pointing out the path through the quarry as it has made this walk all the more enjoyable!

8/25/2012 - Brian Smith

The description is very good. I hardly had to look at the map. Wonderful views, easy access & free parking. What more could you want?

5/25/2012 - Alan Sturges

First time visit to this area and after doing some longer walks around Holmfirth found this delightful walk with wonderful views. Easy walking. Clear instructions.