Ovenden Moor Circuit

Starting point  and OS Grid reference: Car park at Ogden Water (SE 066309)		Ordnance Survey Map OL21 - South Pennines. Buy this map from List of OS Maps Note: If you use OS Maps on-line, you can download this route via this link.
Distance: 6 miles	Date of Walk: 12 January 2012
Ascent: Descent: See Walking Time Calculator	635ft (193m) 635ft (193m)
Traffic light rating:    (For explanation see My Walks page)
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Introduction: Ovenden Moor sits above Denholme to the west of the A629 between Halifax and Keighley. It is home to Ovenden Moor Wind Farm with over 20 white wind turbine electrical generators which can be seen from miles around. This is a walk of reservoirs and takes you on a circuit of the moor plateau and provides for some remarkable long distance views. The walk is mostly fairly level. Note that after wet weather, the plateau can be very boggy and gaiters are recommended.

The walk starts at the car park for Ogden Water (small charge). To get there, turn off the A629 next to the Causeway Foot Inn for Ogden Water. The pub provides for good beer and food. Public toilets are available at Ogden Water.

Start: From the car park, proceed to the back corner by the trees and go through the left hand of the gates and head down towards the water. At the junction turn right and walk through the trees (there is a path at the water’s edge if you prefer).

On reaching the path at the water’s edge, turn right and follow it until you reach the bridge over the beck but do not go over it. Instead, follow the footpath alongside the right hand side of the beck. You will pass more footbridges but stay on the right of the beck passing a number of waterfalls.

On reaching a small dam (SE 052321), fork off to the right on to a much fainter path, climbing the bank. At the top of the bank, turn left and follow the broad track.

Shortly after coming in sight of Thornton Moor Reservoir, go through a kissing gate on the left (SE 047330). Continue to follow the main track round the edge of the plateau. There are great views north over Leeming Reservoir.

Head for the large stone cairns you will see on Nab Hill at the edge of the plateau (SE 033327). Continue to the road and turn left (SE 032325). Here are good views across Warley Moor Reservoir with Stoodley Pike above Hebden Bridge in the distance.

Walk along the road past the wind turbines and the information board and at the next building on the left, turn left (SE 045307). The footpath sign is not easy to see behind the house. The route becomes an unusually wide stony track. Follow this down alongside the trees and across the dam to return to the car park. There are good views over to Halifax along this track.

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All information on this site is given in good faith and no liability is accepted in respect of any damage, loss or injury which might result from acting on it.