CTrackFileK pNBMarsden8Marsden to the Close Gate Bridge From the centre of Marsden cross over the river via the road bridge. Follow the road round to the left pass in the Swan pub. Continue up the Road towards the Station where you will also pass by the canal. Here you have the option of either walking along the canal towpath to Tunnel End or crossing the railway by the road bridge and taking the turning to the right. If you have taken the canal towpath route take a little time to have a look around Tunnel End, here you will see the original canal tunnel, the longest canal tunnel (at just over 3 miles long) and highest section of can above sea level in Britain. This Tunnel was started in 1794 and completed 16 years later. Also you'll see the original twin bore rail tunnels to the left, started in 1846 and taking 2 years to complete and the current rail tunnel to the right started in 1890 and taking 4 years to complete. Also there are the original tunnel keepers cottages at the side of the canal. If you have time also you might like to look around the Visitor's Centre (check times of opening and there is a small entrance charge). Once you have finished walk up the road towards the Tunnel End Inn to rejoin the main route. Continue along the road passing the Hey Green Hotel. Here you will see a road taking off to the left back upto the main A62, continue ahead along the road to a path leading off to the left following the river. A short distance along here you will cross the old Pack Horse (Close Gate) Bridge. You are now on the old pack horse route to Rochdale dating from the 17th and 18th century. Close Gate Bridge to Haigh Gutter This is the route to follow to the head of the valley listed at part of the 'Station to Station Walk' on the map. Continue over the bridge and follow the path round to the right and continue up the hill. Once at the top you will be rewarded with a view of the Colne valley behind you and the vast open area of moorland in front. be assured that this is the steepest part of the walk! This path can be wet and rough in places so be aware, but it's easy to follow. Crossing the stream the March Haigh reservoir will come into view on your right. This was a compensation reservoir built to collect and supply water to feed the canal (as so many of the smaller reservoirs are you'll see during this walk). With the stretch of canal we have seen being the highest there is a great demand for water for the canal as each time the locks are used some water is lost to the lower sections. Continuing along the pack horse route you will eventually pass a small boundary stone at the side of an overgrown grassy ditch - this is a catchment cut that helped gather water to feed into the March Haigh reservoir. Following the pack horse track the route starts to climb the hill at the head of the valley up Wilmer Green Clough, take your time and enjoy the view as you go. Eventually you'll come out on the A640at Haigh Gutter. However, this is only a brief visit as you'll be heading back off to your left back into the moor. Haigh Gutter to Redbrook Reservoir. Some of you may be aware that this is in fact a section of the famous 'Pennine Way'. Though this section is well defined and a good quality path, it is exposed and you can catch the worst of the wind and rain there may be about. The most difficult part underfoot on this stretch will be encountered at Blea Green. Here the path is a bit rocky. Despite this you will hopefully be rewarded with excellent views out to your left back over the Colne Valley and to the right towards Diggle and Saddleworth. Enjoy the views and as you approach the Dinner stone and Millstone edge admire the interesting shapes of the rock caused by the errosion from the wind and rain. The name Millstone edge not surprisingly comes from the use of this type of gritstone, once used to to make millstones for making flour. This is a great place to take a break, huddling down behind part of the outcrop to get out of the wind and have a look around. Passing the 'trig' point and Millstone Edge you'll soon start to drop down from the top of the ridge. Take care as you enter here as you'll encounter several fenced areas which are there to conserve the grassy areas from the local sheep! Folowing the main path you will come across a large 'finger signpost', once there take a turn to the left off the main path to take the path to Theves Clough bridge. This is part of one of the original coachways built by John Metcalf (better known as Blind Jack of Knaresborough) in the mid 18th century. In its time it employed a revolutionary method of contruction by using bundles of hether to strengthen the road over boggy areas. As you walk down the track, crossing Theives Clough Bridge you may notice that part of this road is still in use as the line of the road can be seen on the far side of the main A62 in 'Mount Road'. Approaching the botton of the track you will come across the spoil and a capped shaft from the excavations of the tunnels. Here also was a winding house for raising the spoil to the surface. Though you might be tempted to go and explore, be aware that much of the material is still loose. Take the path round to the right following the drainage cut which will bring you out at the A62 with Redbrook Reservoir across the road. You will have also seen the pub, another good place to have a rest an refreshment. Redbrook Reservoir back to Marsden Crossing the road (be careful of the fast traffic) heading off straight across the dam wall of Redbrook. Redbrook is another compensation reservoir for the canal system, though is now used by the local sailing club. Incidentally the name 'Redbrook' is given to the strongest beer brewed on the premises of the 'Riverhead Brewery Tap' pub in the centre of Marsden. A worthwhile reward for the end of the walk, there you will find several real ales all named after ocal reservoirs - the higher the reservoir above seal level, the stonger the brew! This section simply keeps you safe from the main road and is a little quieter. Follow the track crossing the foot bridge untill you come out onto Mount Road. Following the road to the right you will pass the point of Pule Hill, the edge being covered in rock climbers and model airplane fliers in times of good weather. Just after the cattle grid take the track to the left with a small stone sigh 'Hades Farm'. On this track note the old quarries to the left, long abandoned that once was a supply of local building stone. As the track to Hades Farm bends to the left continue straight on taking the path back down into the village of Marsden. Before you loose too much height enjoy the views out to the right looking across the golf course up the Weseenden Valley and its reservoirs round to Deer Hill the eastern part of the National Trust's Marsden Morr Estate. 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