Marsden - Wessenden Valley

 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.

The section of the walk between Wessenden and Wessenden Head was the longest where the path was not next to a reservoir.

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.  

There are very picturesque views down the valley from the dam.  

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!

Weeton Circular

 

A pleasant countryside circular stroll.  An initial climb out of Weeton, then a walk primarily on roads to the River Wharfe.  Then, following the river bank before returning to Weeton.

The only downside is the route crosses the busy A61 twice.

Throughout, there are views of the countryside north of Leeds.

This walk would be a wonderful summer stroll, when the trees have some foliage.

Some of the nicest parts of the walk are along the River Wharfe.

A sandy “Beach” near Netherby Deep - Great for a picnic

Old Wier near Harewood Bridge.

Rougemont Carr - the site of an old castle, and a lovely wood.

And a couple of very different bridges

High Force

 

A linear walk starting and finishing at the Bowlee Visitor Centre.  Unfortunately, the blue sky forecast when we set up never materialised, so most of the time there was varying degrees of cloud cover.

This is another walk best suited for the summer when the trees have leaves, and the ferns and bracken the path passes through are fully grown.  They had been cut back when we visited.

This walk takes in Low Force, High Force and Bleabeck Force.  In part, the walk follows the Pennine Way.  It offers free access/view of the falls.

The first view of Low Force 

Then it is time to cross a rickety bridge (only one person to cross at a time!)

From the bridge, a section of rapids becomes visible as the river enters a rocky gorge.

And from the vantage point at the far side of the river, all three sections come into view.

Following the river up river, there are many rocks in the water and white water, and the channel is regularly narrowed by large rock outcrops.

Then onto High Force.

The drop is 22m, making it one of the highest in England.  It has the highest volume of water passing over it.

The paid access to the falls has less walking, and arguably has the best view as it is looking up at the falls.

The free access gives access to the top.

Where you can get a good feel of the power of the falls.

A short distance further along the river is Bleabeck Force.

Which is immediately opposite the quarry.

Going beyond Bleasdale Beck, the moor opens up.

Walking back took the opportunity to walk out onto some of the rocky outcrops.

Sheep are important, so either a very stylised statue. 

Or a breed which looks like Krampus was modelled on!

After a break in Bowlee's cafe, it was back to the car.  There was a nice little waterfall next to the car park. 

If we had walked another 10 minutes or so, we would have reached Summerhill Force, a tad more impressive!