Freeholds Top and Stoodley Pike

[Broggy1]

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A visit to the South and West Pennine areas to take in some of the hills there.

Disappointingly murky for the out and back to Freeholds Top (after leaving a glorious Preston) but the sun breaking through nicely for the excellent loop to Stoodley Pike and along the Pennine Way. The Stoodley part would probably make a better walk done alone.

Probably my last outing of 2016 but another great year on the fells.

The first part of the walk was an out and back to Freeholds Top from Walsden. Weather very gloomy.

Trig Point and Tarn on Freeholds Top - a Marilyn.

After returning to Walsden and heading up the other side I took the Pennine Bridleway from North Hollingworth Farm along Walsden Moor.

Weather improving....

This gained height before losing it again towards Lumbutts

Stoodley PIke Monument ahead - a landmark for miles

Stoodley Pike again

From the London Road track it's a short pull up to the Monument - which is clearly a popular place.

Monument

Monument again

I then followed the Pennine Way around the Moor - easy walking if a bit cold into the wind

The typical Pennine Way slabs made an appearance across some juicier areas

The Warland Drain is to your left for a good while

Before Warland Reservoir comes in to view

Along the Bridleway with Blackstone Edge in the distance

After descending to Warland I then followed the beautiful Rochdale Canal back to Walsden

As an angler I couldn't help but wish I had my gear with me!

Freeholds Top across the valley is now clear. I wonder what the view is like up there?