Ogden Water and Ovenden Moor above Halifax

High on the moors just a few short miles from Halifax town centre, Ogden Water provides a surprisingly varied venue for rural walks. Waterside and woodland trails sit within a relatively small 148 acre (60ha) area, which is surrounded by a network of easily accessible wild moorland paths. The variety of landscape isn’t just entertainment for walkers: it also provides superb habitat for a great diversity of birdlife.

A countryside retreat

Ogden has long been a countryside retreat for the people of Halifax. The 222 million gallon (1,010 million litre) dam was constructed across the confluence of Ogden and Skirden cloughs, source of the Hebble Brook which flows through the town, between 1854 and 1857 to supply the town with up to a million gallons (4.55 million litres) of water every day. The woodlands at the water's edge were planted in 1905 and Calderdale Council's Countryside Service entered into an agreement with Yorkshire Water to manage the area in 1987. It was declared a nature reserve in 2003.

More than 300,000 people visit Ogden Water annually, from dog walkers to weekend strollers and walking groups. Paths suitable for the disabled and pushchairs have been constructed around the reservoir and three permanent orienteering courses have been developed.

The walk described follows many popular paths and makes the most of the variety the area has to offer, following the reservoir side, striding across the peaty moors and treading quiet woodland paths. The 23-turbine power station that overlooks Ogden Water on Ovenden Moor was one of the first wind farms to be built in England. Its 103ft high (31.5m) towers, at 1,411ft (430m) above sea level, are said by owner Yorkshire Windpower to produce energy for 5,000 homes, saving 10,396 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions every year.

Wind power stations whip up mixed emotions wherever and whenever they are proposed, as people on both sides of the argument battle to argue the case for landscape degradation against the need for more sustainable methods of energy production. When Ovenden Moor was proposed in 1993, however, there was little resistance – only the local Ramblers' Association voiced serious concerns.

In summer the moor across which the spinning blades cast their shadows is home to red grouse, skylark and twite, while summer visitors include the curlew and the wheatear, so-called because of its conspicuous white rump. More unusual sightings in the area have included snow bunting, hen harrier and raven.

The woodlands surrounding the reservoir are also rich in birdlife – you might see goosanders, great crested grebe, sandpipers and goldeneye ducks on and around the water, as well as woodpeckers among the trees. Flocks of crossbills have been known to feed among the larch and conifers and short-eared owls roost in the trees near the moor.

From the welcome board by the disabled parking area, head down the surfaced lane, past Ogden Water Visitor Centre and the toilet block. Cross the dam wall and continue up the concrete track ahead, between a golf course on your left and the woodland over the wall to your right. The building on the horizon ahead was once The Withens Hotel and, standing at 1,408ft (429m) above sea level, was regarded as West Yorkshire’s highest pub until it closed in 2001 following a fire. It is now a private residence. Ignore paths off to either side, as the view to the left expands to include Mixenden Reservoir, and across to Halifax where Wainhouse Tower is prominent. The ascending track passes through a metal gate and Ovenden Moor Wind Farm soon comes into view.

About 1.4 miles (2.2km) beyond the dam, after the track, veering gently left after passing through a gate, turn right, through a kissing gate, on to a well-worn footpath across Ovenden Moor. It seems strange to have such a view from a bleak Pennine moor, while immediately right is the intense urban spread of the city of Bradford. The path dips across a silt trap in Skirden Clough, then rises again to follow a fence and top-out by a large cairn, from which the views extend across to Rombald’s Moor, north of Bradford, and beyond that Blubberhouses Moor on the southern edge of the Yorkshire Dales.

As it descends the path, occasionally marked by cairns and wooden posts, widens and becomes muddier. It crosses a stile and drops to cross a second clough, with another silt trap. Don’t climb the stone steps on the opposite bank. Instead turn right, on a permissive streamside path provided by Yorkshire Water to Ogden Water. This uneven way descends further into the clough past a series of small waterfalls. Cross and re-cross the stream on successive footbridges, to avoid sections of collapsed path, and arrive at the woodland edge.

Enter the woodland over a stile and follow the streamside path. Its bouldery surface soon gives way to gravel, and winds away from the stream. Ignore a path to the right and keep ahead, heading left at the next fork. Keep left at a second fork, above a small footbridge and pond. The path climbs gently to a metal gate. Pass through the stile to its left, and turn right along a walled track, past a dry-stone walling display area, back into the car park.