If you would like an expert walking guide to accompany you on this walk Boot Routes can help…
This is one of my favourite walks, mainly because it’s right on my door step and can be done on a summers evening after a day at work. I have also used it as a training walk for a group looking to do the Yorkshire 3 Peaks, and you can add other sections onto it to make it into a longer walk. The route starts at a small car park near to the top of Wessenden Head Road, near Meltham, Huddersfield (Grid Ref SE 07729 07565), the route is just under 17 km (10.5 miles) long, with a total ascent of 525 metres elevation which includes the summit of Black Hill and should take you between 4 and 5 hours.
From the car park cross over the road and follow the Pennine Way down into valley towards Marsden. Continue down the track past the first reservoir (Wessenden Head) and walk to the bottom end of the second reservoir (Wessenden). Go through the gate and cross over the reservoir dam wall, then turn right and follow the path around and into the next clough (small valley). There is a weir at the top of the clough with stepping stones for you to cross the river. On the other side of the clough continue on the path until you reach a line of grouse butts and an old disused building where there is a fork in the path. Take the left fork heading West, the right one takes you downwards towards the Wessenden valley.
Continue on the path up Blakely Clough and eventually you will reach Black Moss Reservoir. There is a feint path to the left of the reservoir but it can be boggy, so instead keep to the main path and follow it around to the other side of the reservoir. This is a great place for a rest and a drink. Listen out for Curlew, Red Grouse and keep your eyes peeled for Mountain Hares.
Find the path that heads South East in the general direction of Black Hill, look out for Common Cotton grass and Rose bay Willow herb (a summer plant that is one of the first to colonise areas after fires), and Billberry. Eventually you will arrive at a car park on the A635 (Holmfirth - Greenfield Road).
Cross the road but be careful as this is a fast road. The green dotted line on the map that takes you to the top of Black Hill is a public right of way, but in reality there is no path here. Instead turn left at the road towards Holmfirth and walk on the road for 340 metres until you find the entrance to the quarry on the right and the actual footpath that will take you up to the summit and trig point on Black Hill. Path finding on this section can be difficult and boggy in places, but to protect ground nesting birds, please try and stay to the path where possible. Eventually you will arrive at the trig point, also known as Soldiers Lump as it was built by the Royal Engineers in the 18th century.
This would be a good place to stop for something to eat, on a clear day you can the distant hills of Ingleborough and Whernside, then once you’ve had a break follow the stone slab path back towards where you started. You will cross a stream at Dean Clough which can be entertaining after heavy rainfall and then eventually you will pop out on the A635 and it’s only a short walk back to your car. Remember please to close gates and take your litter home with you. You can add a few extra miles on by including Digley Reservoir into your route, this will add about an extra 5 miles on. Hope you enjoyed the walk.
