Top of Leach, Knowl Hill, Whittle Pike and Cowpe Lowe - 12 miles

This run takes in Rossendale's 4 biggest hills. Here is a brief route description of places in order of passing:

Red Lion Pub in Higher Cloughfold, Waterfoot, Glen Playing Fields, Rooley Moor Road, Top of Leach, Rooley Moor Road, SD 859 179, Higher Naden Reseroir, Lady Lees Woods, Rochdale Way, Knowl Hill, Man Road Ditch, Higher Hill, Whittle Hill, Waughs Well, Rossendale Way, Cowpe Lowe, Whinberry Naze, Red Lion Pub in Higher Cloughfold.

The plan was to become more comfortable on longer runs with multiple climbs and this route didn't disappoint. With steep climbs from Waterfoot to Top of Leach, Higher Naden to Knowl Hill and from Waughs Well Reservoir to Cowpe Lowe Summit. Total climb of 900m or 2950ft completed in 2 hours 18 minutes. Conditions were fantastic apart from the odd brief spell of stinging hail showers, Hence no pictures from Top of Leach

The route up Knowl Hill:


The Sky above Rochdale and Manchester:


Knowl Hill Summit with Ashworth Moor Reservoir Beyond:


The highly opposed Scout Moor Wind Farm:




The Summit of Whittle Pike marks a memorial to Flying Officer Geoffrey Molyneux:




Views from the summit of Cowpe Lowe:


Winter Hill from Cowpe Lowe:


My New Favourite Run!

Course Stats

Length: 12 miles / 19.2km
Climb: 900m / 2950ft
Time: 2 hours 18 minutes