Crowden-in-Longdendale
Understand
Get in
By car from Manchester, follow A57 (signposted Sheffield) then M67 beyond the M60 orbital motorway, which continues as the A57 and then the A628; from Sheffield follow A61 north, then A616 and A628. From the M1 motorway leave at junction 35A (northbound) or 36 (southbound) and follow A61/A616/A628 as above. For a scenic drive from the north, follow the A6024 Holme Moss road from Holmfirth (part of the 2014 Tour de France route). The Holme Moss and Woodhead Pass roads are often closed in snowy conditions.
See
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St James Chapel
address: WoodheadGrade-II-listed mid-18th-century chapel. Among Victorian slate gravestones in the churchyard are the unmarked graves of navvies who died working on the Woodhead Tunnels. A simple and affecting building (interior usually locked) in an atmospheric spot, with a well-preserved cobbled quarrymen's track leading up the hill behind the church to Loftend Quarry. Occasional Anglican services. Woodhead TunnelsThree railway tunnels, closed to rail traffic since 1981. Woodhead 1 was one of the world's longest railway tunnels when it opened in 1845. The imposing tunnel entrances are at the end of the Longdendale Trail.
Do
Hill walkingApart from the Pennine Way and Trans-Pennine Trail, moorland day walks are available to Bleaklow, Black Hill and Holme Moss. The Longdendale Edges walk is a 17-mile high-level route from Crowden Youth Hostel (route in Peak District Walking Guide No.2, published by the Peak Park Planning Board). Lower-level walks are available on permitted paths around the reservoirs of Longdendale, and along the Longdendale Trail (below).
Walk/ride/cycle the Longdendale Trail6½-mile cycling and horse-riding trail from Hadfield to Woodhead Tunnels along former railway line.
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phone: +44 1457 854054address: Torside Reservoir
Rock-climbingExperienced rock-climbers will find recognised gritstone climbs at Laddow Rocks, Brockholes Quarry and Crowden Great Quarry, among others. See Peak Rock Climbs vol.2: Kinder and Bleaklow (BMC, 2001).
Buy
Eat
Sleep
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phone: +44 845 371 911338-bed YHA hostel; meals available.
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phone: +44 1457 857527B&B accommodation, 600 yards from Pennine Way.
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phone: +44 1457 866057Camping and Caravan Club site.