Two Valley Variation

I did a walk like this a few months back but decided to change a bit of it to take in some old quarry workings and new routes down Magdalen Road (bridleway) and down to Royd Edge Clough.

I started from Deer Hill End Road where there is good roadside parking. It follows familiar ground to Deer Hill Reservoir and then on its conduit path almost to the head of the Wessenden Valley where it joins the Pennine Way up to the Greenfield Road.

Crossing the road, follow the path down towards Marsden Clough and, later, keep ahead where the previous routes had gone right. This takes you past old quarry workings and deeply gouged tracks in the stone from the olden-day, steel rimmed transport vehicles along the path.

Crossing the road, you follow the Magdalen Road bridleway with panoramic views across Meltham and beyond. A signed footpath takes you down past a ruin before looping to cross the clough, climbing up to the farm, then onto the Royd Edge path. Turn right here and then pick up the Meltham Way along the catchment path back to the start.

This was a great walk after the intensity of the Ultra Challenge and one I’d do again.