Uppmar one

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A pleasant half day walk from the attractive Saddleworth village of Uppermill to the other end of the Stanedge tunnel at Marsden. Unnecessarily complicated route out of Uppermill, much easier to follow the Pennine bridleway. Great views once you’ve climbed up onto the moorland and down into Marsden.

A pleasant half day walk from the attractive Saddleworth village of Uppermill to the other end of the Stanedge tunnel at Marsden. Unnecessarily complicated route out of Uppermill, much easier to follow the Pennine bridleway. Great views once you’ve climbed up onto the moorland and down into Marsden.

The middle 50% of this walk between two lovely Pennine mill towns, over the windswept moors, is absolutely stunning (especially in summer), with fantastic, long, open views, and interesting industrial remains such as ventilation shafts for the Standedge canal tunnel which is almost directly beneath. The route over the top follows several concurrent long-distance footpaths and bridleways. Full 5* for this section.
However, the route leaving Uppermill is quite difficult to follow in places, with a couple of small, poorly drawn bits of the route, which I have provided a map for with my photos. It is very poorly signposted on the ground, and goes through what looks like private driveways and gardens, even though it follows public rights of way. Navigation would have been easier if the route had followed either the Pennine Bridleway (which partly involves some quiet roads), or possibly the Huddersfield Narrow Canal, as far as Diggle.
When we walked this there was a temporary closure of the footpath where it goes along above the railway from Ward Lane, but we were able to sneak around the bit being repaired, to verify that this section will be fine when the repair is finished in a couple of weeks.
The route behind the Diggle Hotel was also unsigned and difficult to find, looking like private gardens; and again, the Pennine Bridleway would be much easier to follow. See map with photos.
Next, the fabulous moorland section is reached and the path from here is obvious. There is some climbing, not difficult, but the views are worth it. We saw a flock of lapwings here. The short section past a little reservoir, and the main road, is raised above and away from the road, so you don’t feel troubled by it.
The route down into Marsden, has marvellous views of the town. An alternative is simply to use Old Mount Road, which is very quiet, and easier going, but this route going through a farm is fine, but a bit steep and rocky in places. Crossing the A62 at the bottom, is not normally difficult, and the route past the church and over the packhorse bridge was a lovely one. However, climbing steeply up the other side before dropping down to the station felt unnecessary. Turning right after the packhorse bridge, then walking up Station Road is not as steep. It also goes nearer the centre of Marsden which is well worth visiting. The Brewery Tap, with its riverside tables, is the ideal spot for an end of walk drink!.

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