Eleven of us met at Cornholme to begin the 21 miles Todmorden Centenary Way, a circular route round the former borough of Todmorden. The weather was ideal for walking as we set off, steeply, up Pudsey Road before turning to Pitts and continuing to climb old walled pathways to emerge at Shore. A more level, moorland section followed crossing Hudson’s bridge and making our way to Whirlaw Stones eventually reaching Great Rock where we had our first stop of the day for a coffee break.

Next we descended, just as steeply, down Jumble Hole Clough where we saw the remains of three early textile mills all built between 1780 and 1820 and which used the water in the side streams to power them. After crossing the busy main road we turned right and continued above the Rochdale canal, walking through Burnt Acre Wood to arrive at Stoodley Glen.

After a pleasant climb through the woods we reached the Mankinholes Road passing Middle and Higher Stoodley and the former hospital, now converted to apartments, before starting the long climb up to Stoodley Pike which stands 120 feet above the moor. Continuing now on the Pennine way we had an early lunch stop in the shelter of some rocks before walking another 2.5 miles along it eventually turning right to begin our descent to Warland.

After reading the information on the old Toll House at Steanor Bottom we walked up Calderbrook Road turning right and then ascending steadily through parts of a disused quarry and then more steeply to reach Readyshore Scout Gate. A level walk along followed with superb views along both sides of the valley before once again beginning a climb passing Cranberry Dam and having an afternoon stop in the sunshine before dropping down to Ragby Bridge.

From here we started the climb to reach, in due course, the trig point on Freeholds Top. This stands at 1489 feet above sea level and is another marvellous viewpoint, being able to see much of the route of the Centenary Way from it. Freeholds Top was the final serious climb of the day and we continued along the moor for about a mile then going down to reach the Limers gate track which we walked along for a further mile to reach the A681 road.

The last section took us across a bit of remote moorland which has now got several wind turbines high up on it. The way markings have been improved since the last time we walked this bit and we made our way without any difficulty, crossing Flower Scar Road, to walk down Tower Causeway to Bearnshaw Tower Farm and a few fields to get back to the cars at 5.25pm. A guard of honour was formed to clap Julie in on completion of her first walk of 21 miles - she certainly didn't choose the soft option walk!

The Centenary Way is an excellent, varied, though quite hilly, walk which was enjoyed by all and we had best of weather to get the most out of all the scenery that Calderdale has to offer.

Doreen

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