Woodhead Wander and Loftend Quarry, Crowden - Peak District -

Off along the Woodhead today, in the faithful Longdendale Valley. I have an abundance of directions I walk to from around this area. Crowden as a starting point is excellent... There are so many directions to follow that you could quite easily content yourself just walking from the car park there every time you went out in the Peak District. Ordinarily I would walk over the Woodhead Reservoir footbridge, across to Pikenaze Hill to finish this walk. But as I have that hill planned for another walk not far from there, I left it as a view alone, and instead circled back over Loftend Quarry. Which is just above Crowden Valley.
It's a straightforward one this route, but it takes in some excellent views! I liked the idea of the contrast of the Woodhead Road against the valley, so I wanted to go this way to take some of that in before it fades back after St James' Church. Then it just becomes a distant feature. So please bear with it for 5 minutes if you're wondering why I'm walking past lorries :-D I think it's worth it in this case.

We'll be starting, as I mentioned, from Crowden car park and cutting through the woods under Loftend Quarry. Once out of the treeline we'll follow the hillside around, keeping the reservoirs in view, until we reach St James' Church. After a quiet walk around the grounds we'll carry on the way we were heading, taking in the scenery over the valley towards Wildboar Clough and Shining Clough.
There are a couple of small choices in the same general direction on this route, but we'll be going into the trees at any opportunity! Where we'll see an abundance of sheep hiding out from the sun. Continuing around the hillside we'll cross a river and some more sparse woodland, containing at least one fairly tolerant squirrel. Then on a bit further to the last shred of treeline before the reservoir cuts us off and we stop for a refresh and rest.
Then it's back exactly the way we came, reversing those big views over Longdendale. Until we divert behind the sheep filled woods for a calm tree lines lane and the last mass of Foxglove flowers before reaching Loftend Quarry. Once across the last fields and into the quarry, we'll do a loop inside the steep walls, then peek out to look over Crowden Valley and the moorland. There are more panoramic views across Bareholme Moss and Laddow Rocks before we turn back and head down to the car park at Crowden again. A good wander I reckon!
Some history info on St James' Church:
https://www.historyhome.co.uk/peel/ra...

Chapters:
0:00 - Walk begins
1:33 - Cut through small woods
4:22 - Out to the first views
9:35 - St James' Church
14:52 - Woodhead Reservoir View
19:12 - Sheep filled woods
28:29 - Squirrel eating a pine cone
29:42 - Woodhead Bridge
32:03 - Rest spot Longdendale Views
39:14 - Peaceful Woodland lane
42:02 - Foxglove serene scene
43:27 - Heading up to Loftend Quarry - Views
46:05 - Exploring Loftend Quarry
50:36 - Crowden Valley Views - Laddow Rocks
54:13 - Heading back - views
58:18 - Under Loftend Quarry
1:00:15 - Back down to Crowden Car Park - Views

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