The Mary Towneley Loop

The Mary Towneley Loop is a section of the Pennine Bridleway National Trail for horse riders, off-road cyclists and walkers. It follows bridleways and byways of short sections of public road. Take a journey through the South Pennines - you will encounter open moorland and hidden reservoirs, ancient packhorse tracks sweeping into valleys with gritstone walls, mill chimneys and canals offering a glimpse of past histories.

Starting at Waterfoot, cross the A681 and aim to follow the river north through Lumb, criss-crossing the B6238. Once past the reservoirs you'll hug the A671 briefly before heading towards Holme Chapel. Beware of the nearby railway line here, before crossing the A646 and continuing in a north-easterly direction towards the Cant Clough and Hurstwood Reservoirs. Now head east to bring you eventually to the south side of Widdop Reservoir and then along the minor road here until you head off again south over Heptonstall Moor, crossing the Pennine Way before eventually arriving at Jack Bridge and then Callis Bridge at Charlestown.Cross over the A646 and the Rochdale Canal and cross Edge End and Erringden Moors, with Stoodley Pike Monument up to your left and continue on through Mankinholes and Lumbutts before reaching Todmorden.From here head south over Walsden Moor, crossing the A6033 and the Rochdale Canal once more at Bottomley, then continue following the line of the canal on to Summit. (NB. Just before here be careful to stay back from the edge as there is a steep drop from the track).From Summit head west towards the Watergrove Reservoir, pass alongside Whitworth and cross the A671 at Broadley, heading for Catley Head Lane.Take a sharp right at the parking area to take you over Rooley Moor up to the top of Leach, then over Cowpe Moor with Cowpe Reservoir below you on the right, bringing you back to your starting point on this occasion, at Waterfoot. Be careful towards the end of the route as there are numerous bends and no footway.

Getting there

Parking: There are a number of small car parks along the route. Remember this is a circular route, so you can start at any point you wish.

Public transport: There are good public transport links. By bus: services start at the main bus temini in etiher Burnley, Hebden Bridge, Rochdale and Todmorden. These link to the following places on or near the Mary Towneley Loop: Jack Bridge/Colden, Blackshaw Head, Charlestown, Mankinholes, Lumbutts, Walsden, Summit, Calderbrook, Littleborough, Hollingworth Lake, Shore, Wardle, Whitworth, Broadley, Catley Lane Head, Waterfoot, Edgeside, Lumb, Holme Chapel and Worsthorne. By train: the Calder Vale line between York/Selby/Leeds/Bradford and Manchester serves Rochdale, Smithybridge, Littleborough, Walsden, Todmorden, Hebden Bridge and Mytholmroyd. Trains operate every 30 minutes from Monday to Saturday and hourly in the evenings and on Sundays. The service from Scarborough to Blackpool stops at Hebden Bridge and Burnley. This service calls at Preston, Blackburn, Accrington and other stations. It runs hourly during the week and operates a limited service at weekends. The East Lancashire line from Preston and Blackburn stops at Burnley and Colne. Trains run on an hourly basis.