The Ten Reservoirs Ride

The route features some wonderful open moorland scenery, and passes no less than ten reservoirs, culminating in the descent past the four reservoirs in the Wessenden Valley - a wonderful finale to the ride. It is a very demanding ride, but there is nothing severe either in terms of gradients or technical obstacles.

We start with a long steady climb on road out of Marsden before joining a moorland track which eventually takes us up to our first reservoir - Deer Hill. We continue, skirting Meltham Moor on tracks, trails and quiet roads which overlook what will later be our sixth reservoir - Digley.

We then use more tracks and quiet roads to pass a further four reservoirs, before joining the Holme Moss road into Holme village for the lunch stop - downhill you will be pleased to learn!

We then pass over Digley reservoir dam and make the final climb up to Wessenden Head on tracks and a bit of main road. It is then downhill on the Pennine Way all the way past the four reservoirs of the spectacular Wessenden Valley back into Marsden, where liquid refreshment awaits those who fancy it at the Railway Inn.

Lunch: Good quality hot & cold food and drink is available from The Pantry takeaway alongside the Fleece pub in Holme village, or you can bring your own snap if you prefer. There are clean public toilets opposite.

Meet: National Trust car park (free), Station Road, Marsden, Huddersfield, HD7 6DH. The entrance is across the road from the Railway Inn, just to the right of the station. Go past the NT offices until you reach the large car park at the end.

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Time: 09:45 for a 10:00 Start.

Distance: 22 miles.

Duration: 5 hours, including stops (estimated).

Physical Difficulty: RED (Difficult). There's a lot of hard climbing on this ride - the total (aggregate) ascent is in the region of 2,800ft, so a very good level of fitness is required if on an unassisted bike.

Technical Difficulty: BLUE/RED (Moderate to Difficult). Nothing extreme but some steep rocky sections which require a reasonable level of confidence and riding skills.

Suitable For: Mountain Bikes only - ideally full suspension but hardtail is OK.

Recommendations: Spare tube, Tools, Pump, Lunch (optional), Energy bars/drinks, Water.

Safety: No Helmet = No Ride!