A walk from Hebden Bridge to Stoodley Pike (Part 2)

From the edge of the moor, I retraced my steps back to Wood Top and found a signed path to Stoodley Pike. By this time the mist had cleared to reveal a glorious spring-like day.

Looking across the valley to Mytholmroyd

Winter livestock feed. High energy mangel wurzels (or possibly sugar beet).

Hebden Bridge looks a long way down the hill from Wood Top but I’m only halfway up to Stoodley Pike here.

Looking back down Rake towards Hebden Bridge, whilst taking a breather. That’s Heptonstall on the hill to the left.

Finally, the monument comes into view but it still looks a long way away.

A lonk ewe, a hardy local breed, often left out on the hills all through the winter.

Rake Head

Still following Rake towards the Monument.

The view in the direction of home. The wooded valley of Hebden Water and hard castle Crags is in the centre, just behind Heptonstall. Pecket Well and Old town are to the right, with the moorland leading over to Oxenhope on the horizon.

Dick’s Lane

Still frosty in this sheltered spot.

Made it!

Looking south-west, towards Todmorden and Lancashire.

The view over Mankinholes, the perfect spot for a picnic.

The largest of a number of cairns up here.

The inscription reads as follows:

STOODLEY PIKE
A PEACE MONUMENT
ERECTED BY PUBLIC SUBSCRIPTION
COMMENCED IN 1814 TO COMMEMORATE
THE SURRENDER OF PARIS TO THE ALLIES
AND FINISHED AFTER THE BATTLE OF
WATERLOO WHEN PEACE WAS ESTABLIS-
HED IN 1815. BY A STRANGE COINCIDENCE
THE PIKE FELL ON THE DAY THE RUSSIAN
AMBASSADOR LEFT LONDON BEFORE THE
DECLARATION OF WAR WITH RUSSIA IN 1854
WAS REBUILT WHEN PEACE WAS RESTORED IN
1856
REPAIRED AND LIGHTNING CONDUCTOR FIXED
1889