Blackstone Edge from Hollingworth Lake

Overview

This South Pennine walk, despite the industrial development in the valleys, still offers a taste of wilderness. From the summits of the hills you are reminded of the many towns and cities that flank the Pennine hills, yet often you can enjoy the view in total silence uninterrupted by other people. This walk starts from the shores of a lake that was once very popular with the inhabitants of the local mill towns and climbs gently onto the Pennine Ridge traversing Blackstone Edge with its superb views.

Accessibility and facilities

Although the route is classed as “Moderate” on the Walking Britain website, we would rate it as ‘challenging’ in view of the high ground covered and the variable terrain in places. This makes it unsuitable for wheelchair and pushchair-users.

The walk starts and finishes at Hollingworth Lake, where there are a range of cafés and pubs.

How to get there

On this page and in the walk description, we give the official start point at Hollingworth Lake Visitors Centre, which is not far from Littleborough and Smithy Bridge rail stations.

To work out how to get to and from the walk start point and end point, simply click the Google Maps link(s) on this page. Then click ‘Directions’ and enter your postcode or location in the relevant field. For public transport options, click on the train icon.

Alternatively, input the postcode(s) shown on this page into the TfGM journey planner at https://my.tfgm.com/#/planner/