4.5 Mile Walk - The Bronte Waterfall | Harbour Hill | Oxenhope Stoop Hill | Top Withens

 

Distance: 4.5 miles

Ascent: 1000 ft

Walking: Andrew

Weather: Overcast

OS Map: OL21 - South Pennines

Starting point: Bully Trees Farm, Stanbury

Photography: Andrew using Nikon D750 / Nikon 24-70 mm f2.8

Harbour Hill is my favourite approach to Top Withens, particularly when the heather is in flower, although it was probably 2-3 weeks too early for that today.

A beautiful rambling rose at Bully Trees Farm, Stanbury

Looking back towards Bully Trees Farm, Lower Laithe Reservoir and Stanbury

Virginia, just above the Bronte Bridge

The Bronte Bridge crossing South Dean Beck with the waterfall behind

The Bronte Chair, just below the waterfall, this chair shaped rock is where, according to local legend, the Bronte sisters sat and told stories to each other when they were out playing on the moors https://www.bronte-country.com/bronte-chair.html 

The Bronte Waterfall is a series of small drops as the water cascades down from the Haworth Moor at Rock Head Hill. It is usually not much more than a trickle and is best seen after a period of heavy rain. The surrounding area is beautiful and peaceful and is a popular place for Bronte enthusiasts and walkers

The path alongside the waterfall is pretty steep but gives great views of the beck and bridge

At the point where the waterfall flows into South Dean Beck, the continuing stream is known as Sladen Beck. This view is from near the top of the waterfall looking down towards Stanbury

Another view of Stanbury from the start of the waterfall on Rock Head Hill

Looking in the opposite direction towards Harbour Lodge

A disused grouse butt at Harbour Lodge, a former shooting lodge on Haworth Moor

Rounding Harbour Hill, Top Withens comes into view

Grouse shooting butts on Cunnyman Cabin Hill

Sphagnum moss on Cunnyman Cabin Hill. 

It's wonderful at this time of year to watch the cotton grass bobbing about in the breeze. There doesn't seem to be as much of it around on the moor this year for some reason 

Heading down Crumber Dike towards Top Withens

Footbridges at Withins Foot

A couple take in the spectacular views from Top Withens

Inside the ruined farmhouse

The lone sycamore on the way back to Stanbury

A spotted orchid next to the path

A red grouse at Upper Heights Farm

Lower Height Farm