Logged Visits:

17th Mar 2024  11:26  by Alisoncau

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 8/10

Can go up some stairs in the monument that brings you out part way up. Good views

6th Nov 2023  14:50  by Griefmiester

Gridref: SD 97302 24206   FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 7/10

Parking in Hebden Bridge, visited as part of a 12k circular walk. Amazing view. Interesting monument.

Stoodley Pike

21st Oct 2023  13:00  by Laggan Boy

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 8/10

Visited on a Circular walk starting at Withens Clough Reservoir and including Cragg Vale. Conditions challenging underfoot after Babette had been through the previous day, but luckily didn't stop us from getting some great views.

Stoodley Pike Monument

19th Oct 2023  15:01  by Freyswain85

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Not Logged  Score: 5/10

9th Jul 2023  13:00  by Topofthemoor

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 5/10

Walked up from Lambutts Methodist Church.

Stoodley Pike
Stoodley Pike

20th May 2023  11:55  by Steve Pennock

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 9/10

Visited on a group walk from Hebden Bridge out to Stoodley Pike and back via the canal towpath. Fantastic views from the monument

Stoodley Pike Monument

20th May 2023  11:54  by Foxy

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 9/10

Visited with Dearne Valley Walking Group on a circular eight mile hike out of Hebden Bridge. A really interesting hike with great views from Stoodley Pike, especially from the balcony about a third of the way up the monument. We were there on a clear, sunny day and I was easily able to spot the Emley Moor TV mast on the horizon.

Stoodley Pike Monument ©Foxy
Me at the edge of Stoodley Pike with the valley behind ©Foxy
Members of DVWG at Stoodley Pike ©Foxy

14th Mar 2022  23:22  by bemorebiscuit

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 8/10

4th Mar 2022  11:02  by clare.evans1990

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Not Logged  Score: 8/10

7th Dec 2020  16:28  by greenbell

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 7/10

Been up and down this wonderful place for 25 years, a nice frosty quiet Monday afternoon and there are few if any places better in my opinion. From Lumbutts, although the usual route from HB to Tod via the many old paths probably the best route to take.

21st Jul 2020  09:19  by COVID Trig Point Challenge

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 5/10

25th May 2019  11:00  by Topofthemoor

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 5/10

Viewed from Heptonstall.

Stoodley Pike Monument

22nd Aug 2018  05:22  by G3mm4.B

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 5/10

3rd May 2018  11:38  by Earby Rambler

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 10/10

Walked over from Blake Moor great views a bit blustery,sat & had a cup of Coffee before my walk back down on the Calderdale M.B.C paths Rivet BM hunting along the way.On arriving back in Todmorden I headed for a well deserved pint of Thatchers Gold at the White Hart Wetherspoons.I got the 07.25 589 Halifax First Bus from Burnley & the 15.35 589 bus back to Burnley.A fantastic days hiking with good weather on a day off,all on a £4.90 First Day Ticket.

Approach
Studley Pike
Studley Pike Entrance
View to Blake Moor
White Hart

11th Feb 2018  12:54  by Scouser

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 9/10

25th Oct 2017  15:10  by delarever

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 7/10

13th Apr 2017  11:00  by Tinaw

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Not Logged  Score: 8/10

22nd Nov 2016  11:33  by Heidi

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 9/10

13th Jun 2016  13:15  by fm1906

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Not Logged  Score: 8/10

First of a number of visits to this one. On this occasion I visited with my best friend. Subsequent visits have been with my sons for various geocaching events. The views from up here are great.

Stoodley Pike ©fm1906

25th May 2016  13:08  by kieranm105

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Not Logged  Score: 8/10

Lovely sunny day. But very busy up there!

26th Mar 2016  14:08  by kieranm105

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Not Logged  Score: 9/10

8th Nov 2015  12:50  by Scouser

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 9/10

23rd Jan 2015  12:23  by Ranger101

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Not Logged  Score: 5/10

14th Dec 2014  11:40  by gee-bee

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 5/10

©gee-bee

25th Oct 2014  12:41  by amblerbob

Gridref: SD 97302 24203   FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 5/10

From Hebden Bridge via Edge End Moor on a wet day with very poor visibility. Will have to return for the views.

13th Sep 2014  14:00  by Mallykay

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Not Logged  Score: 5/10

First trig point of ours to be logged

18th May 2014  13:43  by catman

Gridref: SD 97301 24213   FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 6/10

Impressive monument visited on circular 7 miles walk from Lumbutts.Very pleasant spring day.

8th Mar 2014  11:00  by Mickandkim

Gridref: SD 97304 24206   FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 5/10

Nice Mon on very windy morning

6th Mar 2014  00:00  by rupertal

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 6/10

26th Feb 2014  10:11  by Portia142

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 7/10

1st Aug 2013  12:00  by BasilDowl

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 5/10

Walked on a long stride out from Hebden Bridge. Glorious views on a a lovely warm summer's day.

The monument

25th Jun 2013  12:43  by pendlelill

Gridref: SD 97316 24206   FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 8/10

good write up from dugswell2. good views 4th time up here the others were on Haworth hobble and it's replacement.

©pendlelill

29th Nov 2012  10:40  by dugswell2

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 10/10

Well worth the effort on this frosty morning. As well as the obelisk shape, the compass symbol of Freemasonry is on the lintel above the door. About a quarter of the way up the obelisk is a balcony offering views of the valley. This balcony can only be reached by narrow stairs, which have to be navigated in total darkness. This is a version of the Freemason’s blindfold ceremony, compulsory on your ascent, built into the monument. During the actual Freemason ceremony, a hangman’s noose is placed around the neck of the blindfolded ‘candidate’, the end of the rope hanging down behind him (it’s always a ‘him’). The Inner Guard places the point of a dagger to the candidate’s left breast. This is baptism by fear, in the presence of the ‘Great Architect of the Universe’. The stairs spiral up around the central coil of Stoodley Pike, the dizzy ascent accentuated by the deliberate lack of lighting. You literally have to take a leap of faith to go up, commit yourself to the uncertainty of what lies in the darkness. This makes Stoodley Pike a religious artefact, an optical technology and a figure of control, as much as it’s a peace monument, war memorial and Freemason’s fancy. The plunge into pitch black as you ascend the stairs to the balcony only lasts a few minutes, but it seems much longer. As with Masonic initiation, the potential rewards for going through the ordeal are great, as the view from the balcony is breathtaking, the whole of Todmorden can be seen from there. As part of restoration work in 1889, a grill was placed in the balcony floor so that a little more light would be shed on the ascendant, and the roughly hewn stone around the grill can still be seen. But this is an afterthought, and even with this addition, nearly all of the steps remain in total darkness. A simple choice could have been made for the stairs to be lit, a couple of windows would have sufficed, but they were never part of the original design.

Monument + Surrounds ©dugswell2

20th Nov 2012  15:45  by tigger4242

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 5/10

Seen from a distance. Will visit one day. Photo taken.

©tigger4242

26th Oct 2012  12:42  by johnbamforth

Gridref: SD 97300 24200   FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 10/10

Log #101. Elev 396. Bagged during a 10.8 km circular hike starting Hebden Bridge. We took the route up thru the steep sided Crow Nest Wood, then across field paths to reach Pinnacle Lane. From here we joined the Pennine Way for the hop up to the Pike. The return was via The Calderdale Way down thru Stoodley past the former hospital to reach the canal, where we followed the towpath back to our car in Hebden Bridge. It was bitterly cold up here on this particular Oct day, with strong winds blowing across the moors from the NW. However, this wind direction offers the best visibility, so the views were stunning. Below us the Town of Todmorden stood guard at the junction of three Pennine Valleys, with the Rochdale Canal clearly seen. To the NW was Pendle Hill with it's own Trig Pillar. Pendle Hill is at a bearing of 315 degrees, range 24 km. The highest mark of 10 on this one with the Monument & views

Stoodley Pike Monument A stunning monument offering virtually limitless views from the balcony.
Standing Guard The Monument viewed from Pinnacle Lane
Score 10 !! Looking back at the Monument as we head downhill to Stoodley
The views Looking down at Stoodley below and Todmorden in the valley

15th Sep 2012  17:00  by Ben Fogerty

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 10/10

I loved this place! -A proper solid monument that's as bleak as they come. I braved the pitch black staircase for the rewarding views from the balcony. Great stuff.

Stoodley Pike monument

25th Jan 2012  00:00  by Bramley

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 5/10

20th Jan 2012  16:14  by Ron Plasma

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 6/10

Fine position, taking me back to my Pennine Way days, but this time approached from Mankinholes up to a very windy edge. For info, there are 42 steps up the tower and it is pitch black between 7 and 34! (Even trickier coming down.) Remind me. Why did I come here? What type of trig point is a "Monument"? Should this not be "Intersection Point"?

13th Aug 2011  00:00  by Applepye

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Not Logged  Score: 5/10

Visited today

2nd Jun 2011  13:25  by jamiekeighley

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 9/10

Great walk from reservoir. Superb view from top of staircase, shame there's no trig.

©jamiekeighley

26th Feb 2011  12:30  by weekender

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 6/10

Noonstone Fell Race. There wasn't much time to look at the view on this occasion.

11th Feb 2011  11:49  by johnjennison

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Not Logged  Score: 5/10

been up here a number of times

26th Jan 2011  12:11  by painterman61

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 9/10

Done on way back from blake moor its a monument not realy a trig a mega view from top balcony.

Pike from lumbutts ©painterman61

8th Dec 2010  13:10  by PeteBoggs

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 8/10

Most recent of many visits to this fabulous spot - walked in from White House pub following PW

11th Oct 2010  10:22  by berticusdan

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Not Logged  Score: 5/10

3rd Oct 2010  16:30  by [email protected]

Gridref: SD 97300 24100   FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 5/10

Pennine Way day 3. Rained all day

29th Oct 2009  15:04  by bargee

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Not Logged  Score: 5/10

walking pennine way day 3 standedge to hebden bridge, superb high level walks

18th Oct 2009  14:00  by Rachel-C

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 7/10

Having not done any serious walking for a long time i found the climb up towards the Pike hard going... However once i got there it did not disappoint!! I can understand why my dad (MAC.HAWK) loves it so much... the weather wasnt great so I look forward to going to Stoodley again via a different route and on a sunny day

16th Aug 2009  12:00  by Rob&Fiona

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 5/10

29th Apr 2009  13:00  by Proper Cheddar

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 5/10

Quick journey up to the monument from Hebden Bridge station while on a railtour.

6th Mar 2009  21:41  by melch

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Not Logged  Score: 5/10

21st Feb 2009  13:30  by sweeners

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Not Logged  Score: 9/10

Great place to visit, fantastic views. The climb up the pitch black staircase was pretty scary.

15th Nov 2008  15:00  by Brookvale0

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Destroyed  Score: 4/10

6th Sep 2008  15:00  by Trig391

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Destroyed  Score: 0/10

No signs of a Trig just the tower.

16th Jul 2008  10:00  by wrose

Gridref: SD 97290 24200   FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Destroyed  Score: 5/10

Just recording a visit to this wonderful landmark!

22nd Jun 2008  15:00  by Historian

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 8/10

My umpteenth visit since 1969 - the first in wind so strong that it was impossible to stand up straight.

27th Apr 2008  18:15  by Aye Jimmy

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Possibly missing  Score: 5/10

The World's largest trig at 37m high?! With spiral staircase up to balcony.

Stoodley Pike Starting point.
Stoodley Pike Entrance with very dark spiral staircase within...
Stoodley Pike Plaque at entrance. Further info on 'net: UK National Inventory of War Memorials.
Stoodley Pike The monument, 37m high.

16th Oct 2007  15:43  by painterman61

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 9/10

Did this one whilst working nearby,amazing monument on the moors. Dark inside going up steps, superb view from balcony of the pennine fells.

9th Sep 2007  13:40  by Andy D

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Not Logged  Score: 8/10

Walked up from Withens Clough after bagging Blake Moor. The spiral staircase is indeed scary!

Stoodley Pike from east ©Andy D

26th Aug 2006  16:28  by dpeberdy

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 9/10

Walked up from Withins Clough reservoir with Tee. I am staying with her for the long Bank Holiday weekend. No Trig but what an amazing place. No torch so didn't brave the spiral staircase inside. Me, Tee.

What a monument! Unusually I am not in this one, and the camera was not on the floor. THe monumnet just needed this sort of pic to do it justice.

18th Jun 2006  15:30  by ted

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Destroyed  Score: 5/10

Latest of many visits. Like everyone else, I checked the base, balcony and surrounding boulders for benchmarks or rivets/bolts - nothing found except a rough-cut arrow on a stone, approx 50 yds S along the Pennine Way path - but that could be a way marker. My guess is that Stoodley Pike's dominant location made it ideal for use as an 'intersected point' i.e. a virtual trig station allowing observations 'to' but not 'from'. So perhaps there was never a marker other than the tower itself. Nice monument though. Revisited 18 Nov 2006 - passing by so another look around the balcony for an OS mark but nothing found.

Stoodley Pike View of the inside
Stoodley Pike Probably not a benchmark

29th May 2006  15:08  by bluewater

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Couldn't find it  Score: 8/10

©bluewater

9th Apr 2006  15:00  by MAC.HAWK

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 10/10

Well, what can I say. This to me is a star. It was the first hill I climbed since taking up hiking 15 or so years ago and I (and my wife Sue) have visited - my mate - on countless occasions (before & since this entry) from every direction humanly possible (one day Ill just have to bump into John Riley). When I feel the need for the occasional fix Stoodley never disappoints because I love it no matter the weather. Trig or no trig its a wonderful location. Id add a hint to Johns comments that if you do a little research youll find its a monument to peace and not a war memorial! Nice photo from the balcomy entrance John. On todays visit we took a party of 6 Indian friends up from Walsden railway station to Hebden Bridge and we had the proverbial 4 seasons in a day weather - rain, hail, snow, brilliant sunshine, more snow & hail, more sunshine and a hail white out for about 10 minutes!!. It was an interesting experience to say the least. Would probably do the 8-ish mile trip in less than 3 hours - took 5 hours today!! The only downer today was having to boll**k a pillock on a mountain bike who couldnt read (its clearly marked from the direction it came from - No Bikes or Horses Beyond This Point - for riding (and eroding) the footpath. Latest visit on 11/04/2009 during a Todmorden Centenary Way hike and the bikers are really beginning to wreck so many footpaths in Calderdale I begin to despair!!

Stoodley Pike
Stoodley Pike

2nd Mar 2006  18:00  by SUE-C

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 5/10

1st Mar 2006  00:00  by psi-Lo

Gridref: SD 97290 24200   FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 8/10

After my visit (16/02/2006) and having read the other logs I contacted Ordnance Survey.--- Sent to OS: I'm hoping you can help. On my 1:25000 scale OS Explorer map OL21 South Peninnes you have a black triangle in the style of the old triangulation points but I am unable to locate a trig point, stud or any other surveying mark at Stoodley Pike grid ref: SD 97290 24200. Was Stoodley Pike used as a surveying point in the past? If so, why isn't the map symbol that of the blue triangle, or is this now just to indicate that it was once used? -------------------------------------------------------------------- Received from OS: Thank you for your e-mail dated 25 February regarding Stoodley Pike. This seems to be an oversight on our part concerning the changes to specification and depiction of triangulation stations on 1:25 000 scale maps over the years. Basically we used to show all major triangulation stations (in black) on the maps - this included, amongst many types, pillars and 'intersected points'. Intersected Points were often highly visible features like church spires or in this case a 100ft high monument - points which could be used to measure to and could be used for referencing in surveying/triangulation but not points that could necessarily be measured from. However the specification was changed a few years ago and we now only show the easily recognised concrete triangulation pillars on Explorer maps with the blue symbol. This triangulation station (in black) at Stoodley Pike Monument should have been deleted some editions ago and the detail of the monument shown in its place but has obviously gone unnoticed. We will note this correction and will do it at the earliest practicable opportunity. --------- So due to this reply I feel we should be able to mark its condition as good.

19th Feb 2006  15:58  by John Riley

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Destroyed  Score: 8/10

Everything dal says is right. I'm a local and all the maps I have except one (Landranger 1984) shows a triangle at the site going right back to 1843. However none show a blue triangle so when they changed trigs to blue Stoodley stayed black so perhaps the OS didn't regard it as a trig. I guess the monument was used at some time as a surveying point. It is similar to Wainman's Pinnacle between Keighley and Skipton (see ted's comments in the Gib entry). I have been visiting Stoodley Pike since I was a child on family walks and more recently as a fell runner. It is a popular check point on various races and long distance walks. The Pike has a fascinating history but no room for that here. Since I became an internet trig bagger I have kept studying the Pike for signs of OS use. I thought at least it might have a cut bench mark but no luck so far. I will continue to visit as it is a regular point on my training ground. I have logged it as definitely missing but I'm open to suggestions.

Stoodley Pike View of the monument from the South.©John Riley
Stoodley Pike View from Withens Gate about a mile to the SW.©John Riley
Stoodley Pike OS 1843, this was when the original monument was still standing.
Stoodley Pike Added 05-03-06 Looking up from the escarpment to the North West.©John Riley
Stoodley Pike Added 05-03-06 View towards Todmorden from the balcony doorway.©John Riley

11th Feb 2006  16:00  by dal

Gridref: SD 97290 24200   FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 8/10

Stoodley Pike has a 120 foot high monument on top of it. The OS Get-a-map website shows a triangle (a trig) there - as there is no other symbol on the map, the monument must be the trig. My South Pennines OL map (OL21) also shows the triangle, as does an ancient 1950s 1:25k map I have. However, maps apart I know of no evidence that there has been a trig there. I assume therefore there has been a triangulation station there in the past. I hoped to find a bolt or something (as at Grin Low). I did not, even though we climbed the pitch black staircase to the balcony. This leaves me uncertain as to how I should log the condition. Is it Good - the monument will last many more years. Is it Can't find, as I couldn't find the precise triangulation station, or is it Missing, as there is no pillar? Note the 1:50k map puts the monument in a slightly different position. Later note - as we now know it is an Intersection Point - Good seems appropriate.

27th Aug 2005  13:30  by DanTrig

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 8/10

Climbed up to the top as part of a 17 mile walk bagging Blackstone Edge trig and Blake Moor trig, I remember walking into the Pitch dark monument and finding a dead sheep at the bottom of the stairs.

1st Aug 2004  15:00  by Thomas David Whitaker

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Not Logged  Score: 8/10

Ever since we have been making an annual visit to see friends near Todmorden, Stoodley Pike has grabbed attention. It dominates the Calderdale skyline. On this occassion we visited the 120 ft high monument on a Pennine Way walk from The White House on the A58. Built to commemorate seeing off Napoleon- a year before Waterloo! Ascended the stairs in the pitch dark to reach the viewing balcony.

14th Sep 1998  06:56  by Triggers

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Destroyed  Score: 8/10

Made several visits. This is when i took the kids up for their first visit

start them young kids on balcony of pike
approaching the pike approach to the pike from mankinholes©Triggers

25th Dec 1996  12:00  by gowrie

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 7/10

Visited here several times but Christmas Day 1996 was the only date I can be sure of

6th Jul 1995  11:00  by Bridgeman

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 7/10

Twelve mile circular walk from Todmorden.

Stoodley Pike Monument ©Bridgeman

1st Aug 1990  11:59  by asbown

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 5/10

27th Jun 1990  11:00  by Particle

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 8/10

Visited Stoodley lots of times fell running and walking the PW.

24th Jun 1981  00:00  by CJO

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 5/10

on pennine way

30th Jul 1979  16:30  by sven

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 8/10

Clear approach to the pike after a weary day. Descent to Todmorden via the paved path painfull for my companion. She gave up for two days for treatment of her heel blisters and toes. rejoined at Malham.

10th Apr 1975  15:00  by arranc

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 8/10

on pennine way. climbed the stairs to the balcony

3rd Aug 1968  16:00  by [email protected]

Gridref: SD 97300 24100   FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 5/10