Musbury Heights (approx 7 miles)




Map: Sheet 287 West Pennine Moors
View Clough Head Car Park in a larger map
Start: Clough Head Car Park (SD751231) - note check car park closing time before leaving. It closed at 5pm on the day we walked.
Route:Click here to view the route superimposed on GoogleEarth (GoogleEarth must be installed on your computer in order to view - click here to download GoogleEarth).
The route is varied, ranging from steep moorland paths to flat cycle tracks. Some of the route is on high ground with unclear paths. There is much of interest along the way: disused quarry workings and railway, Helmshore Mills Textile Museum and the abandoned community of Haslingden Grane. There are also magnificent views from the access land on Musbury Heights.
More info: Musbury Heights Quarry from the Valley of Stone
Haslingden Grane from Abandoned Communities
Helmshore Mills Textile Museum from Lancashire County Council
Refreshments: There are cafes at the car park, at Helmshore Textile Museums and at Park Mill in Helmshore.
Route profile: route profile

Cafe, Clough Head Car Park, Haslingden Grane Leave the car park on the path to the left of the cafe. This leads through a wooded area, then out on to the moors.









Nab Hill, Haslingden Grane Leave the wood through a kissing gate and follow the path uphill and through another kissing gate. At the next kissing gate, which has a Rossendale Way (RW) marker, don't go through the gate, but turn right.
Jameston Quarry, Haslingden Grane

Follow the Rossendale Way as it skirts around the hillside, with the Jamestone Quarry on the right. Shortly after passing the quarry the path drops steeply down to Deep Clough, then climbs the other side of the valley. The path curves to the south, to meet a track.
The Rossendale Way above Heap Clough, Haslingden Grane Turn left to follow the track uphill for just over 300 metres. Turn right, continuing to follow the Rossendale Way.
Picker Hill on the The Rossendale Way, Haslingden Grane The path continues to skirt the contours passing above a disused quarry and a plantation. At Windy Harbour Farm, follow the path to the left of the metal gates. This narrow path leads above the farm track. At some point before the next field boundary, drop down to the track (we didn't drop down soon enough, so had to negotiate a steep, muddy slope). Head towards a ladder stile, but don't cross it, instead take Cob Castle Road, which leads past yet another quarry.
Cob Castle Road, Haslingden Although named as a road, the track varies in width, and in places appears to be blocked by trees, but there is a way through!
Haslingden bypass and St Crispin Way Continue downhill to industrial units, then turn right along St Crispin Way, which runs between the bypass and more industrial units.
Haslingden, leading toward cycle path Cross the A6177 Grane Road at the pelican crossing, then continue in the same direction with factory buildings on left. Follow this road towards a residential caravan park. Just before entrance to park, take path on right, which leads to cycle path along disused railway track.
cycle path along disused railway track, Haslingden The path is well surfaced, and mainly level, though it does drop down to a bridge across a stream, where the railway bridge has been dismantled.
Higher Mill, Helmshore Mills Textile Museum The trail continues along a viaduct above Helmshore Mills Textile Museum. After passing above the museum car park, take steps down on right. If you wish to call at the museum, turn right and walk through the car park, otherwise, continue ahead to the road.
Park Road, Helmshore Turn left along Holcombe Road, walk in front of Musbury Fabrics' Park Mill, then turn right and right again to walk along Park Road (shown in photograph). Continue along the track until you come to gateway to Kiln Field Farm on left. Cross cattle grid and walk toward the farm.
Kiln Field Farm, Helmshore Cross the stile and walk past the farm buildings. Continue ahead between stone gateposts.
above Kiln Field Farm, Helmshore The path meets a track where we turned right to follow the track up and around to the top of Musbury Heights.
restored scrubbing mill chimney, Musbury Heights Quarry We followed a well-defined track to the restored chimney and continued along this (though it wasn't marked on our map).
Musbury Heights Quarry The track continued alongside the quarry buildings and spoil heaps, still climbing slightly...
Calf Hey Reservoir, Haslingden Grane ... and providing splendid views of the reservoirs in the valley below.
path down from Musbury Heights Cross stile in wire fence, and follow the narrow path alongside the fence steeply down the hill. When you meet the Rossendale Way, take the left hand path, which leads into woodland.
woods near Calf Hey Reservoir, Haslingden Grane Continue to follow the path through the wood and over a footbridge. At junction of paths, turn right, heading towards the reservoir.
feeder stream, Calf Hey Reservoir, Haslingden Grane Turn left to follow the track alongside the reservoir feeder stream. Cross the stream and then bear right up the hill.
Hartley House ruins, Haslingden Grane The path leads past ruined settlements at Lower Ormerods, Hartley House (pictured) and Rothwell Fold. There are information boards giving details of these settlements.
Where the track divides, take either the left hand road, or the footpath on the right just inside the woods. At the next junction turn left. Take the footpath on left through trees, then moorland, to emerge on Grane Road. Turn left and walk along the road to return to the car park.

Other walks near here:

  • Ramsbottom - Irwell Vale Irwell Valley - 5 miles

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