Mossy Lea Farm Track | 2 Mile Circular
Know Before You Go: Mossy Lea At A Glance
| 📏 Distance: 2 miles (3.2km) | ⭐ Difficulty: Easy |
| ⏱️ Time: 1 hour | ⛰️ Elevation Gain: 114m |
| 🧭 Route: Circular | 🐶 Dog Friendly: Yes |
| 👪 Family Friendly: Yes but not pushchair friendly | 🥾 Terrain: Rocky and uneven for the most part, some muddy sections in bad weather. |
| 🚻 Facilities: Public Toilets: No public toilets at the start of this walk. There are public toilets in Manor Park just around the corner. Train Station: Nearest train station is Glossop (less than 1 mile away) | 📍Starting Point: What3Words: ///starch.reckoned.intrigued Nearest postcode: SK13 7RZ 53.450131, -1.932789 |
| 🗺️ OS Maps: Yes – follow the map on OS Maps by clicking the button below. | 🌿 Wellbeing Highlights: Views towards Bleaklow, wildlife (including Shetland ponies) |
Mossy Lea Farm Track Route Summary
This two-mile Mossy Lea circular starts and ends in Old Glossop. This is a straight forward walk with great views up towards Bleaklow and lots of wildlife. Walking up and around the farm track, a short period walking along the A57 before cutting through some woodland and dropping back down to the start of the walk.
This is a regular route of mine – usually first thing in the morning before work. The route can be busy at weekends especially in good weather. On a Sunday morning, you may need to let a few cars pass as shortly after the start of the walk there is Old Glossop Clay Shooting Ground. There is plenty of wildlife along the route also, usually horses (including Shetland ponies) in the fields to your left and right, grouse and I’ve even seen deer along there a few times.
This two-mile route takes about one hour and fifteen minutes to complete, depending on your walking pace and how often you stop for wildlife/photos etc. Along the A57 stretch there is also The Royal Oak pub which has recently re-opened after a full refurbishment. Starting and finishing in Old Glossop there are several other pubs to visit at the end of the walk and Manor Park has a newly refurbished playground with all new equipment as well as the recent opening of Twig in the Park coffee shop.
Got the OS Map App? Follow the route by clicking the link below.
Mossy Lea Farm Track Route Description
Stage 1
Starting out along Shepley Street at the turning circle, follow the track straight. Shortly there is a footbridge to your right – ignore this (you come back over here later) and continue straight on. On your left is Tanyard Farm House, the owners have also refurbished and opened the Tanyard Barn AirBnB in recent years – the perfect location if you want to explore Bleaklow and the surrounding moorland.
Continuing up the path, Old Glossop Clay Shooting Ground is on your left. The fields to your right usually have a few horses as well as Shetland ponies grazing. Head through the gate and follow the path ahead (keep your eyes peeled for deer sightings to the right here). You soon reach a second gate, go through the gate and ignore the path leading off to your left and keep straight. The path turns to your right and crosses a footbridge across the river. Here there is a path heading off to your left – this is signposted for Doctor’s Gate. Again ignore this and keep following the path around. As the path climbs there is a farm house to your right. Keep heading up the path and around to another gate and out onto the A57.
Stage 2
Turn right onto the A57 and walk back down heading towards Glossop. Glossop Golf Course is across the road to your left. Continue down the A57 and the Royal Oak pub will be on your right. Just past the pub there is a turning for Pyegrove. Take a right onto Pyegrove and walk a short distance along, as the road bends to the left there is a large house to the right and a path up the left side heading into the woodland.
Follow this path and take a right at the sign and follow the path around to the left. Keeping on the lower paths along through the woodland you will reach a gate with a wooden bench on the other side. From here you drop down the path, be careful here especially after bad weather as it can be slippy and muddy.
At the bottom of the path you cross over the footbridge you came past at the start of the walk. Take a left and walk back along the path to the turning circle and into Old Glossop.
Hiking For A Healthier Mind: Mossy Lea Wellbeing Ratings
| Wellbeing Factor | Rating |
|---|---|
| Quietness | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Scenic Views | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Stress Relief | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Physical Challenge | ⭐⭐ |
Where To Eat And Drink After Walking Mossy Lea
There are plenty of options available with three pubs in Old Glossop right at the start of the walk, The Wheatsheaf, the Bulls Head and The Queens Arms. The Wheatsheaf underwent a refurbishment in recent years and I’ve always enjoyed a pint in The Bulls Head. There is also Distant Hills Brewery a little further up the road. Just a minute’s drive back towards Sheffield Road there is also The Commercial Inn on the corner, serving food Wednesday – Sunday.
Back in Glossop you have the always pocket-friendly Wetherspoons or for something more substantial why not try a particular favourite of mine Almanac. Featured in the Michelin Guide, Good Food Guide and winner of a Bib Gourmand and serving food and drink from Wednesday to Saturday – if you are wanting to eat it is recommended to book in advance.
Pics From The Peaks: More Of Mossy Lea
