Black Hill

The 4th highest peak in the Peak District, Black Hill stands at a height of 582m. The area had virtually no vegetation and was dark, giving the hill its name, but recent plant regeneration has improved things. It is accessed via the Pennine Way which in this area is mostly paved, making for easy hiking. This is the biggest hill located close to my home town of Huddersfield, so being an avid hiker I have climbed it several times before. The weather always tends to be quite harsh. Always bitter winds and often raining. However today was pleasantly nice apart from the winds!

The walk starts from a lay-by on Holmfirth road. The path is quite visible all the way up to the top. The vegetation consists mainly of heather and different grasses. There's a lot of pheasants and grouse hiding in it. Isaac does the job he was bred for and spends the entire walk running between all the shrubbery flushing the birds up into the air. He loves it. Sometimes he gets so caught up in it he can run a long distance away. Thankfully he has good recall and responds to a whistle so I can always get him back to heel!

The view on our left looks over Holme and Holmbridge. You can't see it from here but Digley reservoir sits down at the bottom of the valley.

We stop for a cuppa and to admire the view. Ted takes a break, carrying a rock around for comfort - he's a strange dog sometimes!

Close to the top now we get far reaching views with Holmfirth and Digley reservoir now in view, and Emley Moor TV mast towering above the landscape (the highest structure in the UK).

We reach the top! Bex and Isaac pose for a victory shot :D We stop for some lunch before heading back down.

There are sheep all over these moors, but they're spread quite thin so you can often go a while before encountering them. We have to be careful because Isaac will chase them if we don't call him back first. We just got him back in time here hehe.

Virtually back at the start Ted stops to take a breath. That is one tired doggy!
I'm sure I'll post some more shots from this walk when I do it again. The weather is so varying you often get a totally different feel when you go up there. It's especially good when it has snowed!
Definitely a hill worth climbing if you're ever in the area!

Hiking