Litrip two

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I walked from Littleborough to Ripponden. Dry weather.

This is a classic cross-Pennine route, you can expect some steep paths up and down, and some peat bog in the middle.

The routing allows for refreshments at the White House pub by Blackstone Edge reservoir. The pub may not be open (it wasn’t when I went by), so don’t assume you’ll get something here!

Leave Littleborough up a side valley and cross a golf course with lovely views. Head off across the open moors following an old packhorse track which is easy to see, a little bumpy in places.
Next up was the Roman road, the steepest part of the climb. Phew! This really stretched my fitness level, being a Londoner I am not used to this sort of climb, but I reached the top eventually. I spent the time imagining all the Roman soldiers quick marching from Manchester to York 2000 years or so ago.
There’s a nice contouring section along a levada style ditch before dropping a little to the White House pub on the A58 Halifax Road. As mentioned already, the pub was closed when I arrived, so don’t rely on it.

After the pub is some road walking. The A road (about 600 metres) has a side path, so is safe. There isn’t much traffic, but what there is goes pretty fast.
I turned onto the B road which connects the A58 with Mytholmroyd in Calderdale. It’s about another 600 metres and there is no side path, there is little traffic but it still goes fast!

Crossing Soyland Moor
I felt I was making good progress but then the peat bog section arrived. At first there was a clear path following a ditch, and it was reasonably dry underfoot, so far so good. But then I crossed a stile and had to forge my own way across c 500 metres, heading for the top of the hill and a cairn marker. It is quite easy to see where others have gone before, so I’ve made this route option follow the ‘straight through the middle’ path trod by other walkers and runners. (Option One goes roundabout, but I found that confusing and still boggy, so I’ve straightened the route line here). It doesn’t really matter how you get there, you need to get through the boggy dip and then up to the top of Collin Hill, where the path ahead becomes a little clearer, and then continue on to the cairn marker, where there is also a bench!!

Given the ground generally was quite dry I can’t say what this section would be like if it got really soggy. Being dry I encountered a lot of bobbly uneven patches, and was as concerned about twisted ankles as I was about boot sucking bog. Walking pole definitely assisted this section.

Having reached the cairn I enjoyed a long satisfying break and set off downhill towards Ripponden. It felt like a different world on this side of the hill - a good track to follow, families walking up with the dog, no boggy bits yayyy! Before long I was off the moor and onto some lovely but sometimes muddy bridle paths and farm tracks, always dropping downhill.

There was an unexpected pub, the Beehive, just before the final descent to the meeting point. I was tempted, but I’m glad I resisted because the last bit of road is fierce steep, and needs some care.

Meeting point at the bus stop, I got a bus to Sowerby Bridge where there is a station.

4 stars. I dropped a star partly because of the road walking section, which seemed a poor payoff for slogging up on the roman road and then finding the pub is shut! Also I can’t say I enjoyed the peat bog section either. All the rest is pure 5 star, although if I was starting in Ripponden and walking up that first hill I may be less excited about that part too!

I did wonder if there is another route option which stays south of the A58, uses a bit more old roman road/packhorse track, contours round on a permissive path, and eventually drops down to the reservoirs, coming into Ripponden along the river Ryburn. Maybe someone with local knowledge could make this option if they think it worthwhile?.

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