Stoodley Pike

It was a lovely day – a little windy but I’d been wanting to walk up here again for ages.  Today was the day, but I chose a shorter route than the one I had taken last time was up here.  My last walk up to Stoodley Pike had been from Todmorden and I had a lot more time to do the walk.  Today I only had a few hours in the afternoon so I was starting out from Lumbutts which would make the walk considerably shorter. Parked up just a little lower down from the pub and set off up the track.  This then joined the walled track – flagged up onto the moor. 

The pathway was clear all the way up – however on reaching the top you lose sight of the Pike and on arriving at the crossroads of paths – how I missed the stoop an ancient guidepost I have no idea but I blithely carried straight on.  Eventually when I kept thinking I should surely be able to see the Pike by now I stopped and looked back.  I could see a steady stream of walkers heading across the moors from my left to right. I then had to re-trace my steps back to the crossroads this time turning to my right.  Within minutes there was the Pike in front of me.

 As I got up to its base the wind was picking up.  There were several people who had gone up inside the Pike to come out and walk around its viewing balcony and because I hadn’t gone up there last time I was here today I decided I would. I was glad of my little torch on the way up the 39 steps to the viewing area. It was pitch black inside. When you looked out over the views it was worth the climb.  It was surprising how much more windy it was up here.  Those few steps up made a huge difference. 

After walking all the way round I went back down and started the journey back down off the moors.

 I dropped past the Doe Stones onto a broad track taking you beneath the Pike. 

 This is known as the London Road which eventually comes out by Mankinholes a YHA stopping point for walkers on the Pennine Way.

 

 From here it was a straight walk back to where I’d left my car.

4 ½ miles of bracing air, you can’t beat it