Walk along stunning reservoirs and explore rugged moorland on this classic Dark Peak loop which ends at a fine alehouse

Welcome to Freshwalks. This classic hike event is part of our own vibrant business community programme and everyone is welcome to join us for a day of hiking and networking in the great outdoors. Feel free to come alone - most Freshwalkers do - and you'll be warmly welcomed or invite a colleague or client along for company.

Route description

This walk begins and ends in the charming South Pennines village of Marsden in West Yorkshire. Initially, we’ll leave the village in a southerly direction before walking the length of Butterley Reservoir on the Kirklees Way. We then join the Pennine Way and head gradually higher (up Blakely Clough) into the surrounding moorland. Our proposed route then heads past Black Moss and Swellands Reservoirs out to Millstone Edge before returning to Marsden via March Hill and Haigh Clough.

Route: Marsden - Butterley Reservoir - Millstone Edge - March Hill - Marsden

Distance: 17km

Grade: Hard (more info on grading here)

Max elevation: 451m / Total ascent: 534m

Proposed schedule:

09:30 - Meeting, SASS Wellbeing Studio, Marsden

09:45 - Walk starts

12:30 - Picnic, location TBC

15:30 - Walk finishes, Marsden

Walk leader: Michael Di Paola

Meeting location: Sass Wellbeing Studio, 35 Peel St, Marsden, Huddersfield HD7 6BW https://w3w.co/glider.butterfly.chain

Parking: On-street car parking is available in Marsden. Please park with consideration to local residents.

Public transport: Please take the 09:00 train from Manchester Piccadilly to arrive in Marsden at 09:30. It's 7 mins walk to the meeting point.

Toilets: No public toilets in Marsden. Customer toilets at meeting location.

Pre walk: You're welcome to join other walkers ahead of the event at Sass Wellbeing Studio. https://www.sasswellbeingandcoffee.co.uk

Lunch: Please bring an appropriate packed lunch and we'll stop somewhere en-route.

Post walk: We expect to arrive back in Marsden around 15:30 and head to the excellent Riverhead Brewery Tap for drinks and food. www.theriverheadmarsden.co.uk

Description supplied by the event organiser.