Pule Hill – 12/07/2026 – Leader Stephen D

6 ramblers met up at the parking area to tackle this distinctive looking hill, on the Marsden Moor Estate in Yorkshire.  Over the stile we went and up the steep grassy slope to the curious brick structure above us.  This brick chimney was in fact, one of the air shafts for the Standedge Tunnels that lay over 500ft below us. The Huddersfield Narrow Canal (the longest, deepest and highest canal tunnel in Britain) and 3 railway tunnels – only one of which is still in regular use, the others are only used as escape routes in case of emergency. 

The next part was still up hill but on an easier gradient, passing old quarry remains as we approached the back of the hill. Turning right at the top it was just a stroll across the top to the summit where we posed for a group photo.  Turning left at the end of the hill, we made our way gradually downhill to Pule Quarry in the distance. We followed the path through the disused quarry down to the road. From here we crossed moorland to reach Swellands Reservoir which is empty.  The reservoir was drained in 2023 because, building an access road for repairs to the reservoir would be too harmful for the environment – the peat, grasses and mosses etc.  We continued along its edge on a vague path till we reached a wide wooden footpath, these are called Timber Bog Mats – installed to protect the plants beneath when walking across the moor.  We soon reach Black Moss Reservoir where we sought shelter from the strong breeze for lunch and found a grassy spot near the outflow lower down. 

After lunch we walked back down from the moor with Redbrook Reservoir coming into view and reached the main road below Pule Hill.  We walked back to the cars along the side of Pule Hill, passing the remains of an old engine house and another air shaft on the way.  It was a perfect day for walking, being warm, dry and sunny with a lovely cooling breeze which felt wonderful compared to earlier in the week. 

4.97 miles

Words and photos by Stephen

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Continuously running slideshow below – you can see it full screen by clicking in top left of picture