Footpath to the Hills

"F" is for "Footpath to the Hills" and today's photo shows a group of walkers heading up into the hills at Dobcross in Saddleworth. They are on a walk that will follow old packhorse tracks and early turnpike roads to Bleak Hey Nook and over the moors at Standedge to the village of Marsden.

Those with an interest in slightly newer forms of transport may notice, running across the middle of the photo, the Huddersfield Narrow canal as it climbs Diggle Locks and the Manchester to Huddersfield railway line, just behind the canal.

On the skyline above the walkers, you can just see (on the larger version of the image) the obelisk at Pots and Pans, on the edge of Saddleworth Moor.

This splendid Pennine countryside is just 7 miles from Ashton and provides an excellent excuse to go out and get a bit of exercise.

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"Footpath to the Hills" is a contribution to ABC Wednesday. For more "F" posts from around the world please follow this link.
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Under Snow-laden Boughs

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"U" is for "Under Snow-laden Boughs" and today's photo shows the steep pathway in Mossley known as Jacob's Ladder. Mossley is a small town just over the hill from Ashton.

After a heavy snowfall a layer of snow has settled on the boughs of the trees that reach out over the path. Walking down the path you hope that the snow doesn't choose the moment that you are underneath for it to slide off!

Compare today's photo with this one, showing the same location six months ago. What a difference a couple of seasons can make!

Last week we had a view of the Mayor's staircase inside the Town Hall.

The main part of the building, with its Corinthian columns, was opened in 1840, with extensions built to the left and to the rear in 1878.

"Under Snow-laden Boughs" is a contribution to ABC Wednesday. For more "U" posts from around the world please follow this link.
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Blossom Time

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Another splash of colour this week as the cherry blossom trees come into their glory.

These particular blossoming trees line the steep footpath in Mossley that is known locally as Jacob's Ladder.

"Blossom Time" is my contribution to this week's "My World" feature. Please check out the other blogs participating in this week's My World.


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Sunday Stroll: Stamford Park

You don't have to go far to enjoy a pleasant stroll. Stamford Park is a favourite for many people. It is sandwiched between the houses of Ashton and Stalybridge but provides a tranquil oasis where you can slow down from the world outside!

This leafy path runs up the east side of the park, alongside Astley Road, leading towards the play park.

See Birds Eye View of this location.

Sunday Stroll: Boodle Woods

The ground throughout Boodle Woods, in Daisy Nook Country Park, is a carpet of golden leaves at this time of year. This is the footpath that leads from the former canal tunnel towards the site of Riversvale Hall. The River Medlock can be seen on the left, at the bottom of a steep slope.

A little further along this path was the location of this wintry scene that appeared in February.

See Birds Eye View of this location.

Sky Watch: This Way to the Pike

Hartshead Pike is always a good subject for Sky Watch photos, as it necessitates pointing the camera skyward. Also, of course, the shape of the tower makes for an interesting interaction with the shapes of the clouds.

This view, from Broadcarr, includes the footpath sign that indicates one of the routes the walker can take to the tower on the summit of the pike.

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Sky Watch is the regular Friday feature on this photo blog. It will link with websites all over the world with the general theme each week of looking upwards. Please take the opportunity to visit some of these other sites. I hope some new visitors have found their way here today, watching the skies!

Sunday Stroll: Sylvan Steps

Today's photo was taken on a recent stroll around Daisy Nook Country Park, situated between Ashton and Failsworth.

For some reason I had never come across this particular path before, leading from Sammy's Basin down towards the River Medlock. I was enchanted by the quality of the light trickling through the trees in this sylvan setting.

As the steps wind downwards between the trees there seems to be a compulsion to follow then and see where they lead!

See Google Aerial View of this location.

Sunday Stroll: Knott Hill Reservoir (2)

For this week's Sunday Stroll picture we pay a return visit to Knott Hill Reservoir.

Of course, looking at this photo, you may well wonder where the water is! Knott Hill is a reservoir that is no longer in use. Much of the reservoir bed has gone back to nature, with bushes and trees growing, with a much smaller area of water in the lowest part of the reservoir bed. The path you see in the photo runs right around the old reservoir and originally was at the water's edge! The tree-filled valley was originally where the water was!

This is the point where the footpath that starts from Gorsey Lane, Hazelhurst, meets the path around the reservoir. It is a pleasant and popular short walk.

See Google Aerial View of this location.

Sunday Stroll: Kershaw Hey

Today's stroll takes us through a pleasant part of the Tame Valley between Stalybridge and Mossley.

The path runs along the hill above Scout canal tunnel and leads to the group of buildings known as Kershaw Hey.

Down to the left is the Huddersfield Narrow Canal, as it emerges from the tunnel. Away up the hill to the right is Stamford Golf Club.

On the hilltop in the background are the ancient earthworks of Buckton Castle, with the scar of Buckton quarry to the right of it.

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Sunday Stroll: Over the Stile

When going for a walk in the country you should take care to keep to the public rights of way across private land, just as the landowner has a duty to keep the right of way open and walkable.

On this stroll I was following the footpath from Mossley Cross to Knott Hill Reservoir. Part of the route crosses a corner of Ashton golf club before going over this stile into woodland called New Covert. The path then continues through the woods to meet the path around the old reservoir.

It somehow feels naughty to be walking across the golf course without a set of clubs but, as long as you keep to the line of the path, you are okay. Of course, you have to keep an eye on what the golfers are doing as it would be unwise to walk across in front of someone about to take a shot!

The path into the woods looks very inviting and I will show you what lies ahead another week!
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Sunday Stroll: Mossley

You haven't got to go far from the built-up areas around here to find pleasant countryside and stunning views. This photo was taken on a public footpath that runs from Mossley Cross, at the northern end of Luzley Road, towards Bottom Mossley. The path is not more than half a mile long but has amazing views all the way along.

This spot is nearly at the bottom of the path, not far from where it opens onto Barngate Drive.

I was not pleased to find that the landowner has recently erected a barbed wire fence, forcing walkers along the very edge of the field. At one point the two fences are less than 3 feet apart and the sloping ground has a tendency to make you walk close to the new fence, with a risk of catching clothing on the barbs!

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Sunday Stroll: Longdendale

A short bus ride from Ashton under Lyne will take you to Mottram Road cutting, from where there are many field paths and lanes running along the slopes of Longdendale, giving far ranging views towards Glossop, Bleaklow and Kinder Scout.

To get the best views you need to do a little climbing but the slopes are easier on this side of the moorland than they are over on the steeper Mossley side (see yesterday's photo showing the moors looking from Millbrook).

A group of walkers queues to climb over a stile near Moorside Farm, on the slopes below Hobson Moor, just 5 miles from the centre of Ashton. In the background are Arnfield Reservoir and Bottoms Reservoir. The Longdendale Valley continues past the reservoirs towards the Woodhead Pass that leads to Sheffield.

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Sunday Stroll: Knott Hill Reservoir

Another popular short walk near Ashton is to Knott Hill Reservoir, in the valley between Hartshead and Hazelhurst.

The reservoir was built shortly after 1835 to replace the earlier and smaller Tongue Bottom (Tombottom) reservoir a short distance higher up the valley, behind the present Hartshead Inn.

Knott Hill Reservoir is no longer used and its water level was dropped to the present level when the dam embankment showed signs of instability. The photo was taken from the path that ran around the original waterline of the reservoir, which can also be seen on the opposite side and gives a good idea of how deep the reservoir was when it was in use.

Today it is managed by Tameside Countryside Service as a nature reserve and the path around the outside is a popular walking route. Hartshead Pike is seen on the hill in the background, enticing the more energetic walker!

See Google Aerial View of this location.

Mills and Hills

This is an almost timeless picture of northern mills with a background of northern hills and a foreground of cobbles! However, the observant viewer will notice a few clues that this is a recent photo, such as the pole-mounted CCTV camera and the palisade fencing.

This photograph shows a different view of Whiteland Mill, seen here last week. It is seen looking down the steps from the railway bridge at the end of Granville Street, Cockbrook.

Behind Whitelands Mill is Stamford Mill, just across the border in Stalybridge.

A Google aerial view of this location can be seen here.

On Track

This pathway has been created along the old track bed of the railway that once ran from Oldham, through Park Bridge, to Ashton and Guide Bridge. Cranbourne Road crosses the viaduct and the houses in the background are at the top of Turner Lane.