A linear walk from Marsden railway station.
This walk is partly in the Peak District National Park, and follows the Kirklees Way and Pennine Way. It is through the National Trust’s Marston Moor estate. The walk links the four reservoirs of Wessenden Valley: Butterley, Blakeley, Wessenden and Wessenden Head. It was ominous that the reservoirs looked low at the end of March.
After a walk through town (passing the wonderful St Bartholomew's church, also known as the cathedral of the Colne Valley. It’s well worth a visit), it’s time to walk up the steps to Butterley Reservoir. These are probably the most taxing part of the walk - they go on for ages, and finish at the car park, so anyone driving misses them out.
Butterley Reservoir is probably the largest of the four. The wide track is bordered by a wall most of the way.
By the time the path reached Blakeley Reservoir, no buildings other than dams were in sight.
There was a side path to the waterside rather than walking on the main track. The path reaches a small bridge on the Pennine Way. I should have taken this back up to the main track, but chose to stay at the side of the stream, then scramble up the slope closer to the third dam.
Next to the dam is Wessenden Lodge, which has a small herd of deer in their fields.
Wessenden, The path is on a continual slope along the side of the reservoir, with great panoramic views.
Wessenden Head is the final, and probably the smallest, reservoir. And as the name suggests, this is the head of the valley in a bowl, with a steep rise up to the A635.
I tried the alternative path back down to Marsden, but abandoned it when the path became waterlogged - Great views.
And what's a walk without a strange sculpture!
