Monday 12th May 2025
Heading South: Greenmount, Old Kays, Bowstones, Hey Head, Kirklees
Sixteen of us set out from Greenmount Old School on a warm and sunny morning. We headed down the Kirklees Trail and turned right onto Shepherd Street before crossing Holcombe Road to Old Kays Park and taking the right hand path after the footbridge, meandering upwards through the woods. We emerged onto Turton Road and turned right before crossing to ascend the ginnel behind the houses. We then traversed the fields heading south west past Stormer Hill Closes and up to Watling Street at Affetside, admiring the views and the spectacular hawthorn hedgerows abundant with blossom.
We continued by turning left towards Isherwoods Farm before crossing the road at the bend to take the track at Bowstones Hill and headed south. We then took the south east path that continued to head down through the fields before taking us to Harwood Road which we crossed to walk down Bentley Hall Road.
We had views on our right as we walked along the road before we took the first path on the left opposite Bentley Hall, crossing the course of the Roman Road and walking north through a meadow full of wild flowers. We stopped for a break on a grassy bank in the sunshine and admired the surrounding scenery.
We descended to cross the footbridge where the bluebells were still in flower, ascended the field and crossed Bradshaw Road before we passed through the narrow gate on the corner to descend through the field lined with hawthorn trees towards Birchen Bower Farm. We circumnavigated the farm and crossed the stile into a field of sheep and lambs, heading to Hey Head. We then took the track on the right to head south back to Bradshaw Road, emerging opposite Walshaw Hall. We turned left on the narrow road and headed downhill before taking the second footpath on the left which took us between fields to Walshaw. After taking paths through the estate we emerged onto Scobell Street and crossed Tottington Road to take the path opposite which led us through the woods and back to the Kirklees Trail.
We turned left, welcoming the shade from the trees and after crossing the viaduct and admiring the lodge we took the path on the right to descend past the lodge and up to Tower Farm. We turned right then took the first path on the left behind the cottages which led to Longsight Road where we turned left to return to the Old School after a very pleasant walk of just over six miles.