Basic route instructions from Bull Hill to Pennine Way

Basic route instructions for link from Bull Hill to Pennine Way (Trig. Point on grid ref. 7667 1872) via Edenfield, Shawforth and Walsden, a distance of 15 miles.

You can view these instructions in microsoft word and then print them by clicking Bull Hill to Pennine Way.

  • Go as far as the MOD flag pole on Bull Hill. (The Bull Hill Trig Point can be seen just a short distance away, but our route turn off before this.)
  • At Flag Pole turn L in an easterly direction and follow MOD main moorland track down ignoring any paths off and continue in same direction to Cairn and Ellen Strange’s Stone in the middle of lower moorland.
  • Continue in same direction with good stone wall on the left down to gate on Moorbottom road (dirt track)
  • Turn L go through gate, then just before Robin Hood’s well turn R through metal gate.
  • Go down field and over ladder stile then on and over stone stile which is on R of farm
  • Then over stile opposite down field and over stile onto Helmshore to Holcombe road.
  • Cross road and over stile opposite then diagonally L to pass close to property on your L
  • Continue straight on over more stiles heading down to Lumb
  • Final stile comes out behind houses, here turn L
  • Follow road through Lumb and under railway viaduct
  • Go over ancient bridge then turn R follow river Irwell, then L under subway
  • After gate turn L to go steeply uphill
  • At the top turn L follow grassy track just before stone wall turn R up to stile near conifers
  • Over stile continue with property on R to go over 2 more stiles onto farm access lane.
  • Turn L follow lane on bridge over busy A 56 and on to Edenfield church
  • Cross road in front of church and go up Eden Street to Hey Meadow Farm.
  • Go up stone steps then turn L and over stile
  • Follow FP near hedge, then stone wall before crossing to stile in the wall ahead.
  • Turn L for a short distance before turning R uphill on stony track to follow Sand Beds Lane
  • Just after passing ruins leave track to follow FP straight on following gully up to and through kissing gate
  • Continue on then once over stone tramway cutting turn R to follow old highway
  • Just before bend turn L on well-worn FP keeping to the R at the next fork
  • Walk along the top of the curved embankment of a dismantled tramway to join the Pennine Bridleway coming up from Waterfoot
  • Continue up and through Cragg Quarry
  • Eventually the track joins Rooley Moor road coming up from Stacksteads
  • Continue to the highest point then shortly after this take the stony path off L signposted Lee Quarry
  • Follow for about 1 mile
  • Immediately after track goes downhill and over stream turn R pass a disused mine shaft entrance on R
  • Here take the L of the 2 paths crossing the moorland which eventually comes to posts on top of Lee Quarry
  • Turn R and follow FP to far end of Quarry then bear L to continue round quarry down to broken stone wall on R
  • Turn R to follow this grassy FP to main track. Continue on in same direction with valley towns on your L
  • Continue to the T junction at fenced off underground reservoir
  • Turn L for a few yards
  • Then turn R to follow FP close to fencing up moorland to top corner of fencing
  • Here barbed wire has been cut where the stile once was, go over fence, bear slightly R and follow unclear FP on Jam Hill keeping fence in view on R to next broken down stone wall.
  • Take FP following wall on your L until after you have crossed wet area on stepping stones
  • Cross to other side of wall, with wall on R continue down to fencing
  • Go over broken stile to L of old gate
  • Continue down close to fencing on your R
  • Follow FP with disused quarry on your L to next fencing , go over stile and continue downhill with fencing on R, walk down to road
  • Cross road and go slightly L before turning R down next road ‘Knowsley Crescent ‘
  • At bend turn R and go down steps with cream walls and through old railway subway
  • Then down Quarry Street to main road A671 at Shawforth cross road and take farm track straight ahead, bear L up hill to farm
  • Go round farm to walled lane, then over stile on R in stone wall framed in wood.
  • Head straight across field over stiles onto farm track. Here go straight across and head up lane passing Middle Trough Farm
  • Just before 2nd farm turn L through gate and follow FP across grass then horse exercise area then following boundary and more iron gates behind farm (path all overgrown)
  • Continue following boundary before climbing up to top of the gully ahead
  • Then go over ladder stile and straight across Rossendale Way to next stile
  • Over stile, then turn L and follow path for approx. 20m before heading R up moorland to 2 prominent stone gate posts ahead
  • Go through gate posts and turn R keeping wall on R follow path down to track
  • Turn L and continue on to T junction turn R follow Todmorden Centenary Way through gate and down passing ruins
  • After 2 more metal gates continue following Todmorden Centenary Way, passing farm on R
  • Continue under pylon wires and pass more properties on your R
  • Immediately after cattle grid turn L to go over stone stile
  • Follow FP keeping close to wall on L
  • Continue to property called ‘Heys’ with date stone 1656
  • Go on FP close to front of property (it is also the path to their front door), then cross the grass and through gate follow FP down field, keeping close to fencing on R
  • Over stile turn L for approx. 50 m, then take FP down stone steps and follow this steep FP down to row of stone houses
  • Continue going down passing back of houses and round L corner, follow road down and pass more properties
  • Continue straight on over railway footbridge to main road A6033 at Walsden
  • Go across zebra crossing
  • Turn L then R up street with ‘Grandma Pollard’s’ (Fish & Chip shop) side entrance on your R
  • Follow road over canal bridge
  • Bear R at T junction Lord St to main road
  • Cross main road and turn L up steep cobbled lane
  • At fork in lane keep R on tarmac lane turn L between Top’O’Hill Farm & last row of cottages. Go over stile, follow FP keeping fencing on L
  • Continue in same direction across field to first stone gate posts turn R
  • Follow FP with broken down wall on R, up to and over stile
  • Continue in same direction just after breeze block building
  • Turn R and follow FP to stile in far corner
  • Cross wooden planks to follow well marked FP straight up hill, near top turn R on wider path which winds up hill and across Pennine Bridleway
  • Continue on well-worn FP passing the Basin stone to corner of reservoir – (Gaddings Dam)
  • Follow FP keeping reservoir on L to next corner continue in same direction following FP across moors up to Pennine Way FP is flagged over boggy areas
  • Join The Pennine Way near Warlands Reservoir which is about half way between The White House and Stoodley Pike.