Freeholds Top

16 February 2006

En route to the Lake District for a few days, a stop in the south Pennines for a walk on Freeholds Top, a moor between Rochdale and Burnley.

Having parked the car with ease in a large layby near the road summit at SD890244, we look along the track which lies just within the unitary authority of Calderdale.

Looking down the valley past the accumulated junk towards Todmorden, with the Stoodley Pike Monument visible on the horizon

The track contours around the side of the hill towards the summit which is on the left of the horizon. We, however, left the track to take the upper bridleway onto the ridge itself, but I can't really recommend the small additional effort.

George at the summit trig point and summit pond. This really is the top - very odd to see so much water with only inches of bank all the way round to hold it in.

On the way back to the car, we used the quarry track all the way. A few drops of rain and the sunshine combined to create elements of a rainbow, a bit of which can jst be see towards the right of picture.

Looking back to Freeholds Top

A close-up of the local astronomical observatory.

In total, 7.2km, 144 metres of ascent, 1 hour 55 mins (including 24 minutes stopped)