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Trail Running Planet · Peak District · Marsden Moor

Easter Gate, March Haigh and Black Moss Reservoirs

You string together three reservoirs and a stretch of the Pennine Way on quiet moor tracks, with the whole of Marsden Moor opening out around you and almost nobody else about.

Distance

16.8 km

Ascent

349 m

Descent

341 m

Max elevation

455 m

Route type

Loop

Est. time

2h 5m – 2h 50m

Grade

Hard

Navigation

map_skills

Parking

HD7 6DH

Dogs

Welcome

Best seasons

spring, summer, autumn

About this route

A 16.8km moorland loop above Marsden linking March Haigh and Black Moss reservoirs by way of the old packhorse track over Easter Gate. Open Pennine moor, big skies and reservoir water throughout.

Hazards & notes

Open blanket bog off the main tracks, wet for much of the year, and fully exposed to weather with no shelter on the tops. Navigation needs care in cloud. Ground-nesting birds from March, and grouse shooting on parts of the moor from August to December.

Emergency

Call 999 or 112 → ask for Police → request Mountain Rescue. Register Emergency SMS: text "register" to 999.

Full route, GPX download & live conditions:

https://trailrunningplanet.com/routes/england/peak-district/marsden-moor/easter-gate-march-haigh-black-moss-reservoirs

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