The 20 Most Amazing Peaks around Todmorden

The Todmorden area, nestled in the South Pennines, offers several notable peaks. Among the most prominent are Stoodley Pike Monument, known for its striking obelisk, Blackstone Edge trig point and Robin Hood's Bed, offering fine views, and Knowl Hill Trig Points, a visible landmark with expansive vistas. Other significant elevations include Cowpe Low and Whirlaw Stones.

Many peaks in the Todmorden area have rich historical connections. Stoodley Pike Monument commemorates the end of the Crimean War, replacing an earlier structure for Napoleon's defeat. Blackstone Edge was fortified during the English Civil War. Additionally, Cowpe Lowe Trig Point has evidence of early human activity, including possible Bronze Age burial mounds.

The peaks around Todmorden offer breathtaking panoramic views. From Stoodley Pike Monument, you can see the surrounding moorlands, valleys, and distant cities on clear days. Blackstone Edge provides views of Manchester's skyscrapers in one direction and West Yorkshire in the other. Knowl Hill Trig Points also offers expansive views, while Cowpe Lowe Trig Point rewards walkers with delightful views of the Rossendale Valley.

Yes, the hills above Todmorden are crisscrossed with numerous footpaths and packhorse trails. The Pennine Way and the Calderdale Way offer extensive walking opportunities. For example, Stoodley Pike Monument is accessible via the Pennine Way and other well-defined public footpaths, with popular starting points including Mankinholes, Lumbutts, Todmorden, and Hebden Bridge.

Beyond the impressive views, you'll find unique natural features. Blackstone Edge is a notable gritstone escarpment. Cowpe Lowe Trig Point is characterized by an intriguing, almost flat, and oddly circular moorland bowl. The area around Whirlaw Stones Trig Point features a half-mile long escarpment of Millstone Grit outcrops, weathered into strange and curious shapes resembling human heads, birds, and animals.

The terrain around Todmorden's peaks is generally rugged moorland. While many paths are well-defined, some areas can be rocky, and certain sections, like parts of the walk to Knowl Hill Trig Points, can be boggy, especially after rain. The landscape is characterized by gritstone escarpments and open moorland.

The region around Todmorden's peaks is ideal for various outdoor activities. Hiking is very popular, with routes like the 'Whirlaw Stones Trig Point – The Great Bridestone loop from Todmorden' and 'Stoodley Pike Monument – Stoodley Pike Monument loop from Todmorden'. You can find more hiking options in the Hiking around Todmorden guide. There are also opportunities for gravel biking, with challenging routes such as the 'Blackstone Edge Reservoir – Blackstone Edge Road Climb loop from Hebden Bridge' detailed in the Gravel biking around Todmorden guide.

Yes, there are several easy walks that allow you to experience the beauty of the Todmorden peaks. For instance, the 'Stoodley Pike Monument – Stoodley Pike Monument loop from Mankinholes' is an easy route. Other family-friendly options include the 'Trail to Gaddings Dam – Gaddings Dam Beach loop from Todmorden'. You can explore more easy routes in the Easy hikes around Todmorden guide.

The weather on the peaks can be unpredictable. It can get very windy, sometimes dangerously so, especially at exposed locations like Stoodley Pike Monument. Always check the weather forecast for the Todmorden area before heading out, and be prepared for changing conditions, including potential boggy sections on trails.

While there is no vehicular access directly to the Stoodley Pike Monument, various starting points for walks, such as Mankinholes, Lumbutts, Todmorden, and Hebden Bridge, are accessible. These towns often have public transport links and parking facilities, from which you can begin your hike into the hills.

Visitors frequently praise the stunning panoramic views and the sense of solitude offered by the peaks. The historical significance of landmarks like Stoodley Pike Monument and the unique natural formations, such as the weathered rocks at Whirlaw Stones Trig Point, are also highly appreciated. The extensive network of footpaths provides ample opportunities for exploration and enjoying the rugged Pennine landscape.

Yes, visitors can access the monument via a spiral staircase of 39 steps from its north side. This leads to a viewing platform approximately 40 feet above ground level on the west face. While the staircase can be dark, a torch is recommended for the climb, which rewards visitors with breathtaking panoramic views.