Start: Holme Chapel, near Cliviger. On A 646 between Burnley and Todmorden. This is a linear walk and as parking is restricted in Holme Chapel we suggest readers park in Todmorden and take the 592 bus to Burnley alighting at the Ram's Head.

 

Factfile: Distance: 14k 9m
               Time: 3 1/2  - 4 1/2 hours
              Summary: Even in early spring this walk is challenging and is not to be undertaken in adverse weather conditions. Although  never too distant from major roads, ( a point to be kept in mind should you stray), the route crosses empty moorland not easy to navigate in mist. 
               Map: OS OL Explorer South Pennines

Map by kind permission of the Blackpool Gazette 
 

Directions: From the bus stop turn left onto the Pennine Bridleway towards Deerplay.

After 300m bear left and follow the track as it passes under the railway.

Now on the Burnley Way turn right onto a narrow footpath that soon leads steeply up hill.

 
Aided by frequent way mark posts

 

 continue the climb. 20-30 minutes after joining the footpath you will be relieved when the trig point comes into sight.

This marks the summit of Thieveley Pike which at 449m is the highest point on the Burnley Way.

For the next 1800m keep company with the Burnley Way on a fine ridge walk over Heald Moor. From the trig point turn left and after a short distance cross a stile on the right.

 Continue on a broad grassy path passing a stone sign post

to reach a wooden gate by a junction of walls.

 Cross the stile and keep ahead will a broken wall on your right. After a stone marker

the wall falls away but keep ahead on an obvious path. After the route crosses a broad track it begins to gently climb. At the highest part of the moor

  turn right onto a far from obvious path.  This leads down to a broken wall.

Keep ahead and when you reach a farm track immediately before the next wall turn left.

Keep on the track as it brings you first to Heald Top Farm

and then to the A681 Rossendale-Todmorden road. 

 Turn left onto the road and then after 400m take a bridleway on the right.

At this point you are on the Rossendale Way and for 350m you follow it at first on a farm track bearing right and then on a footpath to the left.

 

Once over a wooden stile leave the Rossendale Way to cross to a substantial track called Limers Gate on the left. Keep on the track for the best part of 1500m (almost a mile).

Then turn left onto a footpath. Now begins a long descent that will bring you to Gorpley Reservoir. The path is well waymarked with distinctive yellow topped posts.

The paths leads down to a gully,

crosses it and continues with the reservoir some distance below you on the right. Follow the waymarks until they bring you to a track

 leading down to Keepers Lodge, a bungalow close to much older farm ruins. Turn left onto the drive

 and then keep ahead to the next junction.

Turn right. This will bring you to the complex of utility buildings beneath the dam end of the reservoir.

On the far side of the clough follow a pedestrian access sign to reach open moorland.

 Once again clear waymarking will help you traverse it keeping roughly parallel with pylons.

After 1200m the path (very boggy in places) reaches Foul Clough Road.

Turn left.

In 350m close to farm buildings turn left onto a bridleway in the direction of Gauxholme.  Blue topped posts will keep you on track as you descend to the valley.

 As you reach the road turn right towards Todmorden.

 In a short distance join the Rochdale Canal. With the water on your left keep on it to reach the town centre.