Saddleworth Moor, South Pennines (20. Brownhill Countryside Centre)

You have seen for yourself the formidable landscape of marshy valley bottoms, steep valley sides and barren moorland plateaux. Human determination and advanced engineering has overcome the challenges of this terrain to connect people and settlements on both sides of the Pennines. Straight, functional Roman roads linking cities stood in contrast to the network of local paths linking farms, hamlets and churches found in medieval times. Packhorse trails connected weavers’ cottages while wheeled traffic used a succession of turnpike roads. Narrow boats were legged through a record-breaking canal tunnel while barge horses were walked over the hill above. While coaching roads over the hill were upgraded, railway tunnels were built through the hill. The twentieth century brought more modern routeways of a motorway and air corridor. What is particularly fascinating is to see the layers of routeways across the landscape. Today’s public footpaths trace old packhorse routes; farm tracks follow medieval paths; main roads use the route of old turnpikes. In the villages there are pubs that were once post houses, houses that were once toll booths and signposts to guide travellers. By peeling back the layers we can uncover the story of the area. Boundaries – in this case the physical barrier of hills and the administrative boundaries of a county border – are often found towards the edge of a map. This walk has offered a different perspective by putting the boundary at the centre and finding out why people have needed to cross it over the centuries and how they have done it. Congratulations you've finished the walk! Please leave a comment or rating to let us know what you thought. For more walks around Britain that tell a story about the landscape visit Discovering Britain. Directions 20 This is the end of the walk. There are toilets here at the Brownhill Countryside Centre as well as The Limekiln Café. To return to the start of the walk in Delph village you can catch a bus from the stop on top of Bridge 73 (Dobcross New Road) or walk along the Delph Donkey which is a footpath following the route of an old branch line. For the latter, continue along the towpath. Just beneath the viaduct turn right across the canal. Walk up the track and then turn right up the lane. After going underneath the bridge turn right to access the Delph Donkey. Turn left and follow the path for 1 ½ miles. At the old Delph Station (now a private house) is Delph crossroads. Go diagonally across and up The Sound through the trees and follow the road into the village.