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Walk 2564 - printer friendly version

Calf Hey, Ogden & Holden Wood Reservoirs Walk

Author - Mike Bexley

Length - 7.5 miles / 12.2 km

Ascent - 1340 feet / 406 metres

Grade - moderate

Start - OS grid reference SD751231
Lat 53.703731 + Long -2.3786591
Postcode BB4 4AU (approx. location only)

Haslingden, surrounded by so much wild country, can provide many walks. This little low-level route can be accomplished in half a day. There are some wet areas so good footwear is essential. After heavy rain the going can be quite demanding. The majority of the walk follows the signed Rossendale Way and I have described in detail areas that may be difficult to follow.

Start at Clough Head car park (grid ref SD751231) on the A6177 Blackburn to Haslingden road. This road is numbered A6232 on older maps. It also worth noting that the car park closes at 5pm prompt. From the start proceed up the path to the left of the toilet block and continue up the fields to the stile with Rossendale Way signs. Turn left to follow the wall to take the second footpath on the left (grid ref 744235). This overgrown bridleway descends to the road, which needs to be crossed with care.

Continue on the footpath opposite going down the field to a direction post. Turn right to follow the cart track that bears left to continue in a southeasterly direction. The RW direction signs cross the wet fields dropping down to the derelict buildings of Haslingden Grane, which must have been quite a community in its day. Leave the first buildings using the old lane, passing further derelict buildings to the 'fenced for safety' building. Keep to the right of the fence to cross over the stream and climb the hill behind it. Follow the RW signs through these lovely woods, which are well provided with benches that will encourage you to stop for a drink and admire the views of Calf Hey and Ogden Reservoirs.

On reaching the end of the woods, do not drop down to the reservoir, but keep to the path ahead contouring the side of the hill until you are opposite the inlet on the other side of Ogden Reservoir (grid ref 762222). The RW path climbs at this point but you take the left fork descending towards Ogden Reservoir Dam. The path ends at a tunnel under the old railway line from the quarry in the hills above.

Continue on the path up to the gate and stile, do not cross over but turn right to follow the fence up hill then at the fence corner turn left still following the fence to cross over its stile, then a further stile on the right in the corner of the field. Contrary to the map, turn left after the stile keeping close to the fence then at the corner of the field turn right to the stile which leads to a farm lane (grid ref 769223). Walk along the lane with Holden Wood Reservoir on your left until you reach a brick wall on your left. Take the wide grass path on the right leading to a gate. Go over the stile and follow the narrow path descending to the B6235 road (grid ref 775221).

Turn left along this road to the Holden Vale Hotel then right at the footpath sign. The maps show the footpath heading north from this sign but the path has been diverted to allow building development to proceed. Follow the path keeping the wire perimeter fence on your left with the stream on your right. On reaching the end of the fence, turn left, still following the fence to walk up to a tarred path. Keep to this path passing a caravan site on your right. Turn left at the end to the main road opposite a road called St Crispin Way (grid ref 780225).

Turn left along the road then right at the next road. This tarmac road climbs up towards the quarry overlooking factories and noisy A56 road on the right. On reaching the entrance at the top (grid ref 779231) follow the stone road left skirting the south side of the quarry. At the entrance gates to Windy Harbour Farm turn left and follow the footpath signs to Clod Farm. Turn right up the hill then turn left at the stile with RW signs (grid ref 771235). The RW signed footpath ahead is very clear following boundary walls and fences. As you near a further quarry, it drops down to a ruined building then climbs up again to follow the boundary fence of the large quarry. At the end of the quarry turn left (grid ref 763238) down the footpath, passing the sign 'trespassers will be prosecuted' on the other side of the fence. Continue through the woods and continue by following the arrows back to the start.

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