Section 2 of 4, Mary Towneley Loop
Shawfield to Southward Bottom
12.4 miles (20 km). About 5 hours, moderate.
Start: SD 869 160. Finish: SD 866 287. OS grid.
Take it with you: download this section's GPX file (it opens in OS Maps, Komoot, Outdooractive or a GPS unit) or open the start in OS Maps.
Up and down
About 528 m of climbing and 581 m of descent; highest point 465 m.
Getting there
The section starts at Shawfield.
- Bus stops
- Rooley Moor Road/Lane Head Terminus, 260 m from the start. Directions SD 871 158Rooley Moor Road/Lane Head Cottages, 420 m from the start. Directions SD 872 157Rooley Moor Road/Fairview, 590 m from the start. Directions SD 872 156
- Car park
- Car park (free), 960 m from the start. Directions SD 859 161
Getting back
The section finishes at Southward Bottom. Stations and bus stops near the finish:
- Bus stop
- Bus stop, 660 m from the finish. Directions SD 870 293
Planning the Mary Towneley Loop
- Planning the whole trail: nationaltrail.co.uk.
What to expect
Underfoot: paved or flagged 38%, gravel and tracks 30%, earth, rock and mud 14%; the rest (18%) isn't recorded.
About 22% on roads with traffic.
On the way: 14 gates.
Steepest climb: about 94 m in a kilometre (1 in 11), from the start.
From OpenStreetMap, where mappers have recorded it: check before you go.
Pubs and cafés
- Pubs
- The Jolly Sailor, Waterfoot: 6 miles in.Hargreaves Arms, Lumb: 7.9 miles in. Food.Duke of Buccleuch, Waterfoot: 5.6 miles in, about 150 m off the way.Roebuck, Whitewell Bottom: 6.8 miles in, about 350 m off the way.
As OpenStreetMap records them. Opening times change, so check before you set off.
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