Black Hill

Black Hill, Peak District

Black Hill is a 581.1 m moorland summit between the Longdendale and Holme valleys in the northern Peak District. The Pennine Way crosses the plateau near the Holme Moss transmitter. Its prominence is 165.2 m and it is a Marilyn, Dodd, Dewey and Ethel.

Finding the summit

The recorded high point is unmarked ground at SE 07822 04773, 85 m north of the trig point at SE 07816 04687. Ground 90 m south-south-west of the trig, at SE 07763 04611, is of similar height and is the historic Cheshire county top. The familiar trig point and the surveyed high point are separate locations. The two route guides below visit the trig point; their distances do not include an extra excursion to the surveyed high point.

Terrain and geology

This is blanket-peat moorland in the Dark Peak's Carboniferous Millstone Grit landscape. Stone flagging improves the Pennine Way, while alternative approaches encounter peat hags, gullies, wet ground and stretches without a clear path. The dark exposed surface was peat. Moors for the Future records a suggested link between that peaty soil and the hill's name.

Industrial pollution and fires damaged the vegetation. Conservation started in 2003, with later MoorLIFE work restoring peat-forming sphagnum. Stay on established paths where possible to protect the recovering moor.

Route options

Crowden via Little Brook and Tooleyshaw Moor

Walking Britain's walk 3022 is a 14.6 km circuit, with a published time of 5 hours 40 minutes and a moderate grade. From Crowden car park (SK 072 992), it follows Crowden Little Brook, climbs through Whitelow Slack towards White Low and continues over Tooleyshaw Moor to the trig point. The return follows the Pennine Way south-west via Laddow Rocks to Crowden. Parts are pathless, and streams may be unsafe after heavy rain. The cliffs require particular care.

Standedge via Wessenden and Saddleworth Moor

National Trails' Walk 45 is a challenging 20.25 km circuit from Standedge parking area (SE 019 095). It follows the Pennine Way past Black Moss and Wessenden reservoirs, crosses the A635 and reaches Black Hill. The return takes the old Pennine Way north-west across Wessenden Head Moor, crosses the A635 and continues over Featherbed and Saddleworth moors to Black Moss Reservoir, then retraces the outward path to Standedge. The remote return has very difficult, partly pathless ground and needs fair weather and confident compass navigation.

Access and facilities

Match the starting point to your chosen route: Crowden is just north of the A628, and Standedge is beside the A62. Holme Moss car park beside the A6024 provides an eastern approach. Crowden has a picnic area and toilets with seasonal opening hours; the accessible toilet requires a RADAR key. Bring food and water onto the moor.

Metro service 314 links Huddersfield, Holmfirth and Holme. Holme requires a separately planned walk-in and is not either circuit's starting point. Check the timetable and last return before travelling.

Views and nearby hills

The summit is broad and open, with the Holme Moss transmitter nearby. More pronounced valley views are available on the approaches, including Laddow Rocks above the Crowden valley. Nearby summits include Black Chew Head (542 m) and West Nab (501 m).

Safety and conservation

Check the Peak District mountain forecast and carry navigation equipment, waterproofs and warm layers. Low cloud, wind, winter ice and snow can make this exposed ground much more serious. After heavy rain, turn back from unsafe stream crossings. Keep away from cliff edges and take particular care beside and across the A635.

Check current access notices before leaving public rights of way. Open-access land can be restricted for conservation, land management or exceptional fire risk; those restrictions do not themselves close public rights of way. Do not light fires or barbecues. On open-access land, dogs need a fixed lead no longer than 2 m from 1 March to 31 July and at all times near livestock; follow any additional local dog restrictions.