Monday August 25th

Wessenden Head and Black Hill

As it was a Bank Holiday, we planned to go to Wessenden Head and do the walk up to Black Hill. It was due to be very hot, so we managed to set off early and fortified by refreshments from Carol's tea wagon, we began the walk down to the reservoirs.

Descending to the Wessenden reservoirs

The levels of all the reservoirs we have seen recently are dangerously low and it is very different from last year. The weather was warm and breezy and we made good time up to the top reservoirs at Black Moss. The next section up to the main road can seem a little unchanging, but we completed it with no problems. Since we'd been here last, a sculpture of a hare has been mounted where the Cotton Famine Road meets the old Pennine Way.

Hare today!

Crossing the road and beginning the climb up to Black Hill is always interesting but enjoyable. The ground was so dry that many of the muddy sections which are a feature of this part of the route, were completely dried out. Even the really wet parts which normally cause some problems were easy to negotiate. It was a relief, however to reach our lunch spot, high above the moors and we lingered there for  a while and tried to spot the paths across the normally very boggy moors. We paid homage to Soldier's Lump which looked very smart and newly painted and from there it is an easy walk down the track back to the car.

Descending the flagstones of the Pennine Way

Always a sting in the tail- having to drop down to West Grain
just before the road!

A great walk of 10.3 miles with 450m ascent.



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