Holme to Greenfield by the Cotton Famine Road
A moderate walk (low hills and fells (below 600m)) in national park Peak District starting and finishing in Kirklees, England, about 16.10km (10.00 mi) long with an estimated walking time of about 5:30h. It is unsuitable for families with children, prams & pushchairs, wheelchairs.
Elevation Profile
Ascent
338m (1108ft)
Descent
440m (1443ft)
Max. Elevation
580m (1902ft)
Altitude Gain & Loss
778m (2551ft)
Start
Phone box in Holme Village
End
Grasscroft
Distance
16.10km
(10mi)
(10mi)
Duration
~5:30h
Difficulty
Moderate
Ordnance Survey Map
Created by dcbwhaley on 10 Aug 2014
A crossing of some rough Pennine moorland, best done on a fine summers day, preferably after a dry spell.
The walk can be reached from Huddersfield by the 314 bus or from Glossop by the 951 bus (summer weekends only). Return by bus or train from Greenfield
I must emphasise that in bad visibility and wet conditions the crossing from Black Hill is only for experienced fell walkers
Walk Functions
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A moderate, circular walk (low hills and fells (below 600m)) starting in Kirklees, England, about 15.20km (9.44 mi) long, duration: ~5:00h.Marden Circular via the Conduits
A moderate, circular walk (low hills and fells (below 600m)) starting in Kirklees, England, about 18.10km (11.25 mi) long, duration: ~6:15h.Walk Map
- $walk->POI array(0)
Waypoints
OS Grid SE107057
The walk starts at the telephone kiosk in the centre of the village
OS Grid SE088059
Take the road opposite the telephone box and follow it up past the school. It turns into a track which drives arrow straight into the moor
About 1.95 km (~1.21 miles) from 
OS Grid SE081060
When Issues Road curves right toward Marsden Clough carry straight on an a less prominent track. After crossing the stream the path winds it way up to join the Pennine Way.
About 0.70 km (~0.43 miles) from 
OS Grid SE077046
Turn left and follow the flagged track to the trig point on the summit of Black Hill
About 1.45 km (~0.9 miles) from 
OS Grid SE057061
The path across the moor is indistinct in places. If you loose it keep on a compass bearing and look out for one of the wooden marker post which are placed every few hundred yards.
About 2.44 km (~1.52 miles) from 
OS Grid SE050063
From the end of the fence DO NOT follow the marked right of way. Instead take the path on the Eat side of the fence which will bring you to the road about 200 yard east of the car park
About 0.74 km (~0.46 miles) from 
OS Grid SE047065
Cross the stile and follow the flagged path for about a quarter mile where you will see a curious linear feature stretching away to your left. That is the Cotton Famine Road
About 0.41 km (~0.25 miles) from 
OS Grid SE020074
Follow the Cotton Famine Road to the ruined cottage just before the quarry. (This road was a make-work project for the cotton workers who were put out of work by the American Civil War)
About 2.87 km (~1.78 miles) from 
OS Grid SE020069
Head south skirting the quarry until you reach the trig point on Broadstone Hill
About 0.45 km (~0.28 miles) from 
OS Grid SE015057
Continue southish on a good track which eventually follows a wall to the rocks at Sugar Loaf
About 1.34 km (~0.83 miles) from 
OS Grid SE010051
Take the right, descending, path to the war memorial
About 0.78 km (~0.48 miles) from 
OS Grid SE005050
Cross the metal fence and follow the steep path down to a minor road
About 0.51 km (~0.32 miles) from 
OS Grid SD997043
Turn left and follow the minor road down to the main road through the village
About 1.05 km (~0.65 miles) from 
Greenfield Railway StationOS Grid SD991046
Turn Right and follow the main road up the hill and round the corner to the station. If you have a to wait for your transport the Railway Hotel, directly opposite the station, is highly recommended
About 0.75 km (~0.47 miles) from 
3 comments... join the discussion!
Dave Brown
As the Wikipedia article makes clear several roads were constructed during the cotton famine and they can all be described as Cotton Famine Roads, the one at Norden being merely the most famous
Tim Woods
I'm afraid that your use and description of Cotton Famine Road in your otherwise excellent walk is wrong. The Wiki link gives this mention: "... new roads constructed such as the cobbled road on Rooley Moor above Norden known as the "Cotton Famine Road." Unless there's more than one such road, your siting of it south of Manchester is about 8 miles SE wrong, I'm afraid.
Timwoods
More information about the cotton famine here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lancashire_Cotton_Famine