"Does the road wind uphill all the way? Yes, to the very end." Christina Rossetti's poem about life came to mind as we climbed the ancient track from Todmorden to Whirlaw Stones. This is one of many gritstone escarpments that dot the hillside of the steep-side valley gouged by melt waters at the end of the Ice Age. But after the ascent all is peace and quiet while, at the foot of Whirlaw Stones, there is one of the best lines of causey paving in Calderdale.
LOCATION: Todmorden, nine miles north of Rochdale
START: Todmorden Station. Park on Station Approach; toilets
Grid ref: SD936243 Postcode: OL145DJ
DISTANCE: 4.5 miles
GRADE: Moderate
TIME: 3 hours
MAP: Explorer OL - South Pennines Landranger 103
REFRESHMENTS: Todmorden
EN ROUTE: Orchan Rocks, Calderdale Way, Stannally, Todmorden Centenary Way, Rochdale Canal
This walk was originally published by
The Manchester Evening News