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(Leg
records. Men.Ian Holmes/Rob Jebb. Bingley 1.16.17. 2006. Ladies
Jo Waity/Jo Smith.Calder Valley 2006)
This
is the longest and possibly the toughest leg. Start on the
track on the N. side of the Long Causeway Road approx 20mtrs
beyond the gate at G.R. 892292.This first section reverses
the Haworth Hobble route across the Cant Clough Reservoir
dam passes on the E. side of Hurstwood Reservoir to then climb
the Gorple Road to Gorple Gate.The route then drops down past
Widdop Reservoir on the S. side, across the dam and onto the
Widdop road.After approx 3/4m along the road going E. a right
turn is taken heading up to and crossing the Gorple Lwr. Reservoir
dam. A left turn after the dam then a right turn soon after
takes you on a track crossing Heptonstall Moor and the Pennine
Way,emerging after a descent onto Edge Lane. After a flat
fast section along the lane a sharp right hand turn is taken
steeply down a tarmac lane.At the bottom of the lane which
bears right our route goes left skirting the boundary fence
of a large house and garden ( Top o’th’Hough )
and climbing to a new gate.A steep climb follows up to a large
5 barred gate above Field Head Farm. Take care on this next
section as the official Waymarking signs keep being altered
by persons unknown.Do not turn left down the lane (New Lane
) past Field Head farm,carry straight on for approx 20mtrs
to another large gate ,go through the gate and straight on
until you arrive at a cluster of farm buildings and turn left
down Brown Hill Lane. This lane emerges at a hairpin bend
on the Blackshaw Head to Colden road above the New Delight
pub. Turn left down the road then right at the bottom of the
hill opposite the pub. Take care not
to miss the next right turn before
the houses at Shaw Bottom and climb steeply between
walls/fences crossing leg 4 of the Calderdale Way relay. At
the road turn left then right down Marsh Lane to drop steeply
down to Callis Bridge.Turn left just before the busy main
Todmorden to Hebden Bridge road ,the route goes through the
trees for 50mtrs not along the busy road.
Take extra special care crossing the
busy main road ! the changeover is just across the road, it
is definitely dodgy here please please please take care !!!!!!!
The changeover point is across
the road near to the canal bridge at G.R. 972264. Note…there
are no toilets at this changeover point,do not use the countryside
as a toilet !
Parking is available at Menzolit Ltd
approx a half mile down the road from the c/o point in the
direction of Todmorden.This is a company car park and we have
been given permission to park here for the day.Limited parking
is also available at C.V.S. Plumbing Supplies on Jumble Hole
Road ( G.R. 970262 ) across the road from the c/o point.
Do not park directly in front of the shop , park behind in
the fenced compound area. Leave clear for customers !
(Leg
records men . Jonny Bland Martin Mickelson-Baron 58.32. Borrowdale.2008.Ladies
Donna Cartwright. Anna Lupton.1.21.01. Radcliffe AC.2008)
Although
not the longest leg it does have the most amount of climb
with a proper “sting in the tail “ and the toughest
climb of the whole route ! From the start at the canal bridge
at G.R. 972264 this leg begins with a longish,steady climb
up through Callis Woods onto Kilnshaw Lane and a fast section
along the London Road to Mankinholes. At Mankinholes a right
turn upon reaching the road then a left turn after approx
½ mile brings you out onto the road again near to the
pub at Lumbutts site of the Stoodley Pike race. A short but
uphill section along the road follows until shortly before
the Shepherds Rest pub where the route branches off left at
a large gate.The next section is superb running on a setted
gritstone path, firstly between two walls and then across
open moor above Walsden,past several houses and farms and
then steeply down and across the canal to Bottomley on the
A6033 Todmorden to Littleborough road.This section is well
waymarked although take care not to miss the turn for the
descent to the canal.At the road turn left then along the
road for 1/4m before turning right on a new section laid only
in 2004. A steep zig-zag climb follows leading onto a lane
at the top ( Reddyshore Scout )
Turn Left along the lane,flat then downhill to the changeover
area where this lane meets Calderbrook Road at G.R. 944190.
Parking is available on this road although care should be
taken as parking is limited. Another option would be to park
on the main Todmorden to Littleborough road (A6033) near to
the Summit pub and walk up the short distance on the Pennine
Bridleway (South)(waymarked)
Note there are no toilets at the changeover area do not use
the countryside as a toilet !
(Please note a change to this leg from
2007.After the zig-zags on the tracks through Callis Woods
you drop down to cross a pack horse bridge and go through
a gate. Previously we had carried on along through the top
of the woods to run through Horsehold.Now after going through
the gate we turn right onto a new section of bridleway and
following the waymarked signs to join Kilnshaw Lane nearer
to Stoodley Pike.)
(Leg
records.Men. Paul Massey/Alistair Massey 34.48 Horwich 2007.
Ladies. Anna Kelly Vannesa Peacock 44.45 Clayton 2007
This is the shortest leg with the least amount of climb and
should suit the speed merchants .The running is good mainly
on newly laid paths and tracks although the last section can
be pretty boggy after heavy rain.From the start at G.R. 944190
a short road section followed by a sharp right turn will see
you on the track which features at the start of the Turnslack
race. There are plenty of waymarking signs on this section
which passes close to Watergrove reservoir at Wardle and then
via the Ramsden road and skirting Brown Wardle Hill to Whitworth.The
changeover point is near to Lobden Golf Club at G.R. 893177.Access
to the c/o area is via Taylor St. From Whitworth and up past
the Red Lion pub
Parking is available around the changover area.Please park
so as to avoid blocking farm/local access. Note…there
are no toilets at this changeover area,do not use the countryside
as a toilet !
(Leg
records. Men Gary Devine/John Henegan. Pudsey and Bramley,
58.26. 2006. Ladies.Lynn Bland/Janet McIver. Dark Peak.1.17.31
2005)
The main feature of this leg
is the mega long climb from Broadley along the Rooley Moor
Road to the Top of Leach the highest point on the Mary Towneley
Loop.From the start at G.R. 893177 the route cuts through
the golf course and down towards Broadley.Take care to look
for the PBW sign which directs you sharp right just before
the small stone arch bridge on Ending Rake then onto the main
Bacup to Rochdale road (A671) via Tonnacliffe Road.After crossing
the main road take care to follow the gravel track bearing
right ( do not cross the narrow bridge going left ) to cross
the the river on a new large bridge. Left after crossing the
bridge and then first right onto a path through the trees.Bear
left after coming out of the woods on a track then cobbled
lane to Prickshaw. Turn right at Prickshaw and follow the
lane (Knacks Lane ) al the way up the Rooley Moor Rd.
Turn right onto Rooley Moor Rd. and begin the long climb.The
going underfoot is good on a solid surface with some cobbled
sections.After the climb and a short descent take care to
bear left at a Y junction through Cragg Quarries.Look out
for the waymarking signs at the end of the quarry track which
direct you right ,through a gate then steeply down onto Cowpe
Rd.Turn left on Cowpe Rd and follow the Waymarking sigs to
Waterfoot. Turn right over the river and along Bridge St.
and left at the end (Waymarked Waterfoot) After 50 yds turn
first right onto a dirt track and past the wooden garages.This
track emerges onto the main Bacup Road.Cross the road at the
pededestrian traffic lights and go up Townsend St. and turn
right at the top by the Jolly Sailor Pub onto Booth Road.
Climb the hill up Booth Road until just before the brow of
the hill turn left onto Hey Head Avenue,go along the avenue
for 100yds or so to the finish at Fearns School.
From Cowpe road the way
to the finish will be clearly marked by the organisers with
bright direction arrows.
See the route description page for fully downloadable written
route descriptions and maps.
Team captains
must ensure that teams potentially in the mass start are aware
of the times. Teams who miss the mass start will not be allowed
to continue !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
.
The Mary
Towneley Loop Waymarking was completed by the Countryside
Agency in 2002. Generally the waymarking is excellent and
runners should have no problems finding their way around their
respective legs although prior knowledge of the route is essential.
Several types of signage has been used although most contain
a small blue and white circular disc
with a white acorn symbol ( National Trail ) enclosed
within a blue direction arrow with the words
“ Pennine Bridleway National Trail –The Mary Towneley
Loop “ around the outside. Some of the wooden signs
are about 6ft high with 18in direction arms with the words
“ Pennine Bridleway “ ,a mileage indicator to
a future feature and the white acorn symbol.Some of the longer
direction arms have been broken off although the blue and
white disc screwed to the posts remain intact. Other wooden
posts more easily missed are
about 4ft high with a blue painted section, PBW inscribed
and the blue and white disc screwed to it. In the Whitworth
and Waterfoot areas the wooden type signs have been replaced
by green metal direction arrows on top of a 6ft metal post
with the place name of the next future feature and the white
acorn symbol .The final section from Cowpe Rd back to the
finish can be complicated so the organisers will mark this
section with brightly coloured direction arrows.
Types
of waymarking signs seen on the Mary Towneley Loop
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