Cooks Study Moss and Hades Circular Walk | 4 Miles
This Cooks Study Moss and Hades circular walk is a lovely walk on the edge of the Peak District National Park. Taking in beautiful moorland views, and views over Ramsden Reservoir from the beehive cairn, you’ll also pass the ruins of the farm at Hades. Here’s the route for this Hade Edge circular walk in Holmfirth.
Cooks Study Moss is a moorland near to Holme Moss and Snailsden Moss. This walk takes you from Cooks Study Hill, the site of a former grand hunting tower (although only rubble remains) over the moors to see the lovely little beehive cairn above Ramsden Clough then back through the woods past Hades. At just over 4 miles this is a relatively short walk with no major climbs, but this Hades circular walk has some spectacular views. This is a site of Special Scientific Interest so dogs are not allowed unfortunately. There are signs on the gateposts warning of this.
We parked in a lay-by on Linshaw Road, just before the woods and walked along the road until we found the gate onto Cooks Study Moss. The path skirts around Cooks Study Hill, which is the site of a former hunting lodge. Huddersfield Exposed has lots of information about the tower which used to stand on the site. There is little to tell you that there was a tower here other than some rubble.
We headed down the hill with Snailsden Reservoir on the left. It’s very wet and boggy at the bottom of the hill and you’ll need to wear suitable walking boots or waterproof footwear. I was going to take a photo of the reservoir but there were some people wild swimming, and I didn’t want them to think I was taking photos of them! You can see it on our walk to Snailsden Pike End.
We came to a grouse butt called West Drive, at the bottom of the hill, and followed the path alongside Ruddle Clough Spring. Someone (presumably the grouse hunters) have put down some pallets to help you get through the mud but it’s still very wet underfoot so be warned!
Follow the grouse butts until you come to a fence and head over the stile. Here you have amazing views over to Ramsden Rocks. Head up the track towards Elbow End and you’ll see the beehive cairn standing proud. From the cairn you can see across to Holme Moss, Ramsden Reservoir, Brownhill Reservoir and further afield.
The muddy path takes you along the top of Ruddle Clough Moss and follows the track over the attractively named Hades Peat Pits back towards the road. You’re leaving the Peak District National Park for the next part of the walk.
On the road turn left and head down the hill. Where the road forks, take the right hand side down the unmade road until you come to a crossroads. Turn right and walk down past Elysium Barn.
We climbed the stile and then turned right to head through the woods. You’ll follow a wall on your right hand side along the track before coming to a pretty little bridge over Reynard Clough.
Head up the other side and you’ll find yourself in Hades! Pronounced to rhyme with shades, rather than ladies, there are the ruins of former farm buildings here, and some of the stone has been used to spell the word HADES on the side of the dry stone wall. Huddersfield Exposed again has some great information and photos of how the farm buildings used to look.
It’s easy to follow the winding road back up through the woods and you’ll pop back out on Linshaw Road, back at the parking area.
We had all weathers in one day on this walk – when we were on the moor we had blue skies, then hail when we hit the road, then more blue skies until we got to Hades when it started snowing! This is walking in The Peak District in February!
Cooks Study Moss and Hades Circular Walk
Walk Route Map: (click the image to download the gpx file for your device)
Parking: in a lay-by on Linshaw Road, Holmfirth
Facilities: None
Walk Time: 1-2 hours depending on your speed and fitness
Distance: 6.85km (4.26 miles)
Trig Points Bagged: None
Peak District Peaks Bagged: None
Peak District Ethels Bagged: None
If you enjoyed this walk in Holmfirth, why not check out some other walks near White Gate Leisure Campsite? You might like to try Hade Edge Circular Walk with Pub Stop or Cooks Study Hill and Snailsden Pike End. There are more walks around Ramsden Reservoir too including a circular reservoir walk and Ramsden Reservoir to Hade Edge Circular walk.
