Pennine Way Day 5. Ponden Mill to Earby Hostel 06/06/2024

 Packing up didn't take too long and soon I was of on the trail along the side of the resevoir in good weather to start with.

Just before climbing up onto Icornshaw Moor there was a short but heavy downpour. Forthunately, after that it stayed dry with a gentle breeze for the rest of the day.

Ponden Mill Resevoir

Start of climb up onto Icornshaw Moor

Depite the moor being a fairly bleak place I enjoyed this part of the walk. There were flagstones to help with the navigation and the boggy bits. As I dropped into Icornshaw there was a series of hunting lodges dotted around. Locally , these are known as cowlings.

Dropping down into Icornshaw.

After passing through Icornshaw the trail passed through mostly agricultural land before dropping down to Lothersdale where I had a welcome cup of tea in the village pub.

Pinhaw Beacon and trig point

After Lothersdale the trail climbed out of the village and onto the final section of moor. This was very enjoyable as the path was good , the wind was light and the views were spectacular from Pinhaw Beacon.

Shortly after dropping down to Pinhaw Beacon to a minor road I left the Pennine way and joined the path down into Earby and the hostel. This was about two miles. Great stay in the hostel. I was the only person booked in until there were a couple of late arrivals. Fellow pennine wayfarers who had planned to camp at Lothersdale , not realising the camp site no longer existed.

Another brilliant days walking . About 13.5 miles

Pennine Way Day 4. Hebden Bridge - Ponden Mill 5/6/2024

 Back on the trail again. A trip through Bronte Country. I caught a train from Langley mill to Hebden Bridge via Leeds which arrived mid morning. I was immediately greeted with a short , heavy shower. I think because the winds were quite strong all the showers encountered today were short.

The climb started straight away up the side of the valley up a series of steps on an alley off the main street.

Hebden High Street

Heptonstall

Back on the PW

I had a couple of miles of climbing up to Heptonstall along the Hebden Bridge loop before meeting the PW. I didn't need anything from May's shop but felt like I should visit. Oe bar of chocolate I was climbing up the first section of rugged , beautiful moorland.

Despite it being June it was cool and very windy.

Just after Gorple resevoir there was a dip down to Graining Water. A respite from the wind and a perfect stop for a bite to eat.

After a break the path climbed up the side of the clough onto a short road section and then a right turn towards the Walshaw Dean resevoirs.

A lapwing which kindly landed for me to snap a pic

Walshaw Deam Lower Resevoir

Looking back at the resevoirs as I climbed onto Middle Moor

The next landmark / waypoint was the ruins of Top Withins farm with it's association with the Bronte's and Wuthering Heights.

Top Withins

Sign inside the ruins

 

It was still very windy at this point so I didn't stay long before dropping down to Ponden Mill resevoir and campsite, where I had a pleasant evening and a decent sleep. 

Day 4 Vids

Another great day of walking on the PW. About 13 miles.