Sometimes on a walk it can be a challenge to visualise how far you have to go until your objective. False tops and misleading paths are occasional occupational hazards of fell-walking. That’s not an issue on the trail to the Stoodley Pike monument - the Pike itself guards the Calder Valley below at a height of almost 400m, and the monument adds another 37m (120ft) on top.
The distinctive tower at Stoodley Pike was built by public subscription to mark the defeat of the French - specifically the surrender of Paris to the allies in 1814. Some Calder Valley residents were so keen to commemorate this that they funded the construction twice - first in 1815 and again in 1856 after the original monument was destroyed.
Stoodley Pike sits on the Pennine Way, and is skirted by the Pennine Bridleway, so there’s no shortage of routes to the top from either Hebden Bridge or Todmorden. I opted to start at Hebden Bridge, where the path to Stoodley Pike doubles back under the railway line before climbing through the trees and onto the moors. The last time I had visited Hebden Bridge station, the bright jacket of Michael Portillo was on show as he filmed one of his Great British Railway Journeys; no Portillo on my second visit, and no bright colours either, only a murky grey that would soon turn to rain.
There’s a path to the right but this time I took the left-hand route up the hillside, along Wood Top Road and then Spencer Lane. The woodland soon gave way to farmers’ fields, but it’s still a fair climb up to the open moorland above.
At this point I realised that my choice of approach shoes were pushing at the limits of what was required on a squelchy March moorland. After a stretch of having to carefully pick my route through the mud, I plotted a course back for the lower lane, but not before Stoodley Pike monument had plonked itself on the horizon - the site of the finish line was much appreciated as the rain had now started and the wind was blowing right into my face.
Stoodley Pike rising in the distance
After retreating for lower ground, I picked up the Pennine Way for the final climb up to the pike. Even on a miserable March day, it’s a good path underfoot and easy to follow. The monument is remarkable structure. Even better, you can explore it by climbing the steps up to the balcony on top of the base (top tip: bring a torch, although your phone torch ought to suffice). Whilst it is visible from far away in all but the harshest of weather, only up close can you appreciate the scale and grandness.
I had originally planned to carry on towards Todmorden but with the wind blowing the rain back into my face from the west, I decided to about-turn and return to Hebden Bridge - although sticking to the lower lanes rather than the higher moorland path! Despite the declining weather, it had been a worthwhile trip - for anyone who has admired Stoodley Pike from the valley floor, do gets your boots on and see how it looks up close!
Date of walk: Saturday 14th March 2020
Total distance: 10km
Total ascent: 443m