A relatively short walk which combines well with the Glossop to Meltham walk....

John Scott

Most of it is on good paths, pavements and quiet roads, but note that the path up the hill from Binn Lane is narrow and may be overgrown, the path further up the hill is steep and a little rough underfoot, and the descent from the corner of Deer Hill Dam is a little steep (but has easier and slightly longer alternatives). The upper part of the path is a little rough, but you are soon on the surfaced road that leads to a farmhouse and the access to the higher moor....

Hugh Hudson

This is almost a great route but the GPX plotting lets it down badly - most of the waypoints are well off the paths when you zoom in - maybe it looks better at 1:50000. I have submit a better plotted version as MarMel three, and have posted a detailed review with pictures there, but will give this a reluctant snail as the route can be followed by reasonably fit walkers with a bit of common sense and a map. Not suitable for wheels as there are steep paths, narrow sections and one high stone stile....

Hugh Hudson

I docked it a mark because the steep climb from Moselden Lane to the M62 may be a little dangerous when wet, and because the path used to descend into Marsden is very stony and rough, and comes down through a garden which may deter those coming up from Marsden station. We climb away from the river along Holme House Lane, then take the path onwards which is mostly well marked but loses definition a little on the climb up to Rishworth Mill Lane, which we reach having walked round to the right of Top Barn. The right of way path starts lower down than the definitive line - it has stiles and is quite a steep climb, but once across the farm lane the going is easier. Beyond a stone bench and a Peak and Northern footpath sign, we head straight on on a path than gets rougher and wetter, with occasional paved sections, then descend farm lanes to the escarpment overlooking Marsden....

Hugh Hudson

I will add a more detailed review with pictures to the new route, and will flag this one for accuracy because the route between Moselden Lane and the M62 underpasses does not work as drawn, due to a locked gate on a farm lane that is not a right of way....

Hugh Hudson

This the best way to get between Marsden and Slaithwaite - a straightforward and attractive route along the canal path. There are lots of locks providing interest and the variety of some (short) ups and downs. Definitely recommend this over Marsla one....

Tansy Hepton

Lovely route along the canal towpath, past many locks as the canal rises up the Pennines. The route comes off the canal towpath (photo) and runs along a narrow ridge for the last 100 metres or so at Marsden, so not quite towpath all the way....

Jane Taylor

It's a very easy, pleasant and accessible walk, mostly along a flat canal path with no issues....

Bex Moore

I already knew the lie of the land and have done some parts of this route at various times, but there were also parts I'd never walked before, which was nice. The weather was good whilst I was on the route, and I enjoyed some great vistas. I was surprised at how long it took to do the first part, from Meltham centre to Deer Hill reservoir, which made up over half the entire route. The track continues to be reasonably well surfaced and easy going, and benefits from good views over Marsden, well before you get tom it, until Binn lane, which goes all the way down into Marsden where there is a choice of train or bus, depending on where you need to get back to....

Bex Moore

The route eventually turns left along a short section of the Pennine Way before following a pack horse route down the valley towards Marsden, where the Riverhead Brewery Tap is highly recommended....

RGW

The walk follows the well signposted route and even minor deviations are identified easily enough as the tracks are easy to see. The pathway is shown up three very difficult steps and leads into an overgrown forest which has no identifiable path, the easiest and best way is to follow Rishworth Mill Lane all the way onto Hall Green Lane and up to Moselden Lane. As you follow Moselden Lane to the motorway tunnel there is Stott Hall Farm, approx 200yds further on is a path to the left which takes you onto the pathway to the tunnel....

Paul Keitch

This should be a simple canal walk but the route as plotted leaves the canal at about the half way mark. MarSla 2 has been added which sticks to the tow path for the whole route....

RGW

Follows the canal towpath for the whole distance but was very wet and muddy when reviewed (Feb 2024). The Riverhead Brewery Tap in Marsden is highly recommended....

RGW

First section follows a disused railway line and quiet country lanes before joining a rougher track up onto the moors....

RGW

A great walk following the canal with some nice views and places to stop at Marsden to have lunch....

Callum Russell

This was a very nice walk, with scenic views and a good hard-standing towpath that is wide enough for trikes and wheelchairs to ride along....

Jamie Murrant

Gentle walk along the canal, weather wasn't kind but still good to enjoy the walk. it's great that the two villages are linked by train so can start at either end. there are good place for food at both ends too....

Antonio Amaral

This route is suitable for disabled people if they are using an off-road wheelchair such as a mountain trike. The path is tricky to navigate and steep in places. However it's a pretty walk and provides some great views....

Lucy Keyworth

This is almost the best route from Marsden to Slaithwaite but would benefit from sticking to the towpath all the way - it currently deviates from the towpath just after West Slaithwaite Road (when heading towards Slaithwaite) which adds ascent/descent/time so is not the most direct route. Anyone following this route should just stay on the towpath alongside the canal for the whole route....

JP Spencer

And I’d recommend staying on the catch water path until Upper Acre Head where there is a gate and Good access to a quiet road down to or up from Marsden....

Andrew Lee

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....

DerbyshireBBguide

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....

DerbyshireBBguide

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. 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. 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....

Mary Oz

A gentle walk on the canal towpath, it can be quite wet in places, where puddles collect. The towpath is in desperate need of upgrading at the Marsden side....

Bobster71