You don’t have to be a vegan to join us for this circular walk in the varied scenery south of Todmorden. It should take around 4 hours including a stop for a bring-your-own picnic. If this 6 mile jaunt is too long for you, you can join us at Gorpley Clough car park (see instructions below) for a shorter circular walk of about 3.5 miles.
We’ll start from Todmorden railway station with a steep ascent but you’ll soon reach more gentle climbs and enjoy fantastic views in all directions including Stoodley Pike, Whirlaw, Bridestones, Flower Scar Hill, wind farms and glimpses of Dobroyd Castle.
The walk will take in the hamlet of Stones where there are 3 standing stones. The most impressive is a 3.6m high monolith (pictured). There’s another, but less accessible, that is said to have been moved to its current position to celebrate the battle of Waterloo. The third is much shorter and we’ll probably give that one a miss as we head for pleasant fields and woods leading to Gorpley Clough car park on Bacup Road. It’s there that people preferring a shorter circular walk can join us (contact Rob – see below – for timing).
Gorpley Clough is a steep-sided woodland ravine with a number of charming waterfalls in the tinkling beck that flows through the clough. It leads up to Gorpley reservoir and from there we’ll enter moorland and Inchfield Pasture were cows and sheep roam freely. There are more great views during this part of the walk and you may get lucky and see a barn owl in the ruin of a farmhouse we pass.
The walk nears its end with a steep descent to Gauxholme. This presents great views of the canal, rail and road networks threading their way towards the centre of Todmorden. We’ll then walk back along the canal to our starting point (except for those who need to return to the Gorpley Clough car park on Bacup Road).
Booking is advisable so that we can let you know if there are any last-minute changes to the plan. Please email rob@3valleyvegns.org.uk to let him know that you’ll be coming and/or that you will be joining us at Gorpley Clough car park for the shortened part of the walk.
Meeting place and time: 10:30 for strict departure time of 10:45. The timing has been chosen to suit people arriving by train. Meet below the sign for Todmorden railway station at the junction of Station Road with Ridge Road – opposite the rear of The White Hart pub (see photo).
Stops: there will be a lunch stop. Bring your own food, drink and perhaps something to sit on. Ensure that you have plenty of water and energy-giving snacks/fruits. There are no shops or cafes on the route although the start and finish is not far from Tod Almighty, Todmorden’s splendid vegan wholefoods shop . Amongst many other things, they sell Booja Booja ice creams to close off the walk with something special. They also sell pasties and samosas that you can take for your picnic. The shop opens at 10am on Sundays.
Food & drink: out of respect for others on the walk, please only bring vegan food & drinks.
Difficulty: moderate with a steep climb near the start. The terrain can be boggy, slippery and wet in places. The full walk involves a total climb equivalent to ascending around 51 floors, 153 metres or 500 feet.
Attire: please wear waterproof walking boots and dress appropriately for the weather. Also bring waterproof & warm clothing even if the forecast is for good weather.
Dogs welcome: but note that there are some stiles en route and most lack a dog-pass. There are sheep and cows in some fields. Rabbits and deer have also been seen on this walk.
Walk with us at your own risk. There will be a guide but every person joining the walk is expected to take responsibility for their own safety. There will be no formal provision of first aid support.
Gorpley Clough car park. For those joining the walk here, this small car park can be found on Bacup Road on the left-hand side heading towards Bacup from Gauxholme. Just before you reach the car park, you’ll see a ruined stone building to your left. It has arched windows but there is no glazing. The map reference for the car park is 53.708010, -2.124365. There is a postcode that might help you get near to it – OL14 7HH. The entrance is easily missed so go slow when you are passing the ruined building.
3 Valley Vegans 