Clivtod two

Slow Way not verified yet. Verify Clivtod here.

The route started from Cliviger with 1.1m/1.8k along the pavement of the main road. There was a fair bit of traffic, but it wasn’t constant, and for people walking in the other direction, the Ram Inn pub at Holme Chapel might be useful, as there isn’t much at the meeting point. There are decent bus services all along the A646 here.
I left the road uphill on a bridleway through a gate, then left this into a field, via a small plank bridge and a ladder stile. The route through the woods and down over a footbridge was slightly difficult to find through long grass at some points, but it was waymarked. There were nice views across the valley of the crinkly edge of Thieveley Scout, which always fascinates me! Further back, I could also pick out the Singing Ringing Tree on the horizon. There were a few stiles, but some of these had open gaps beside them, with some barbed wire on the ground to be careful of at one of them.
Leaving the wooded area, it felt as if I was on someone’s private land, but it is a public right of way, and there were pedestrian gaps around the main gate.
The path up through fields to the top of the moorland was not always obvious on the ground but the plotted line worked okay and keeping fairly close to the deep but dryish river gully worked well. Then approaching the substation for the wind turbines, there was an obvious wall to follow, and the path started to become much clearer. This continued alongside the wall for quite a distance and there were great views all around. I imagine this section could be muddy and boggy in places in the winter, but it was fine in August.
Eventually I started the descent past some farm buildings, and then along a well signposted and well trodden path through the grass, and steeply down to some houses at Portsmouth.
Once again, I got to operate the small level crossing barriers, this time for a post office van that was passing through, before using the pedestrian access to the level crossing.
There is a very rundown looking pub at Portsmouth – I’m not sure if it still open or not.
Then began a long but quiet road section, which started with a significant plod uphill. The views were excellent though.
Coming down the other side there was a view of the Stoodley Pike hilltop monument, and then of Todmorden. There was a pleasant field diversion, slightly tainted by some threatening barking farm dogs, but they were chained up. The path down through the woods was also a little bit tricky, down a stony path with tall bracken, but then it opened out and I soon arrived back at the steep road with a short walk to Todmorden Station.
A very pleasant walk with a couple of slightly more challenging sections but well rewarded with views. Excellent facilities at Todmorden.

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