Lad Law from Widdop

Paul Shorrock

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For many, Pennine walking is an acquired taste. At it’s worst it can involve slithering into deep peat groughs that always seem to lie across your line of travel. At its best, Pennine walking can be wide-open spaces, with tantalising rock outcrops in the distance to add interest.

This route, fortunately, comes into the ‘Pennine walking at its best’ category. That’s not to say that the going will always be dry – on the contrary, expect the odd bit of bog along the way, but unless you are really unfortunate with the weather, you won’t be needing your gaiters!

The walk starts near to Widdop Reservoir, and initially follows a shortcut to join a good Landrover track, which allows good progress. When the track finally ends, near to the border of West Yorkshire and Lancashire, the route continues on a path that is both reasonably dry and easy to follow. The path leads over the border into Lancashire to Lad Law on Boulsworth Hill, the highest point of the walk.

The route then returns to Yorkshire, heading for the Dove Stones. They are the only feature on the otherwise open moor, and all the more interesting for that. From the Dove Stones the walk heads for Grey Stone Hill, before heading back to the start point along a line of fine gritstone edges at Great Edge Bottom. just above the Heptonstall to Colne road.

In misty weather you might have to put your navigation skills to the test. Don’t underestimate these small hills – they can be surprisingly challenging, especially when the weather turns wild, and where a wrong turn might add a few unwanted extra miles. Instead, wait for a good day when the views of Lad Law, the Dove Stones and the crags above Great Edge Bottom add to the interest.

As I said, Pennine walking at its best.

England - North England - Yorkshire - Pennines

Features

Great Views, Moor, Mostly Flat, Pub, Public Transport

9/29/2018 - Brian Smith

Not for the faint hearted. Did this walk today with an experienced walking companion. I found the description wanting in many places. The author makes no references to bearing or compass directions, instead making reference to landmarks that in bad weather would be difficult to navigate to. Apart from the land rover path at the start of the walk, paths are virtually none existent. We found we were constantly walking through thick heather and watching every planted step as we walked through thick wet blanket bog grass. The views at the top of Lad Law are very good.

12/11/2013 - Graham Brookes

I did enjoy the walk and gave it 4*. I meant to say that it wouldn’t be much fun in mist as it would be hard navigationally and there would be no views which is the main purpose of this walk

12/8/2013 - Graham Brookes

Rough walking when off tracks over heather, rough grass and boggy when damp. Fine Pennine walk in good vis but not recommended in mist using compass navigation as relocation points easily missed and not much fun anyway as point of walk is to see views. I use waypointed routes on maps as guides and do not generally read instructions. For walkers like me and to ensure the correct route is followed, I recommend that waypoint 8 becomes 9 and new waypoint 8 is placed at Dovestones. Fortunately I visited the rocky outcrop of Dovestones on the outward journey out of interest.