Waugh's Well

Waugh’s Well is one of those Rossendale hikes that feels far bigger than its modest distance suggests, taking in quiet lanes, old farm tracks, open moorland and broad views across the valley before looping back past Cowpe Reservoir and Rooley Moor. Starting from Stacksteads, this 10.5 km walk climbs steadily through Cowpe and Tippett Farm to reach the well itself, before heading out across the high ground of Scout Moor and returning by Cragg Quarry. It’s a varied route with enough ascent to make it feel worthwhile, but the paths are generally straightforward and the scenery changes often enough to keep it interesting throughout.

Walking to Waugh’s Well from Stacksteads

I start this walk in Stacksteads, where the route quickly leaves behind the busier valley floor and begins working its way uphill towards Cowpe. The opening section is a good warm-up rather than a shock to the legs, following local lanes and tracks as the houses thin out and the countryside starts to open. It’s the sort of beginning I always enjoy on a Rossendale walk: a gradual transition from village edge to pasture, with the moors waiting higher up.

From Cowpe, the route continues to climb towards Tippett Farm, and this is where the walk begins to feel more properly rural. The views behind start to widen across the Rossendale Valley, and there’s a nice sense of gaining height without anything too punishing underfoot. Depending on the season, the fields around here can feel especially green and enclosed, with the higher moorland beyond giving the route a real sense of direction.

Beyond Tippett Farm, the landscape begins to open out and the walk takes on a more exposed character. This approach to Waugh’s Well is one of the best parts of the route for me, because you can feel the shift from farmland into open upland country. It’s not dramatic in a Lake District sense, but it has that unmistakable Pennine feel, broad, breezy and quietly atmospheric.

Waugh’s Well and the high ground of Scout Moor

Waugh’s Well sits in a wonderfully lonely setting, and reaching it gives the walk a clear focal point. There’s something about these small moorland landmarks that always draws me in, they’re easy to miss on a map, but on the ground they give a route real character. Here, surrounded by open land and big skies, the well feels like a reminder of the area’s older stories and practical past.

After the well, the route carries on across the high ground towards Scout Moor. This section has a different feel again, with wider tracks and a more expansive outlook. On a clear day, the views stretch a long way, and even when the weather is a bit moodier, the moor has a stark appeal of its own. There’s very little shelter up here, so it’s worth coming prepared if the forecast is unsettled, but that exposure is part of what makes this stretch memorable.

The presence of the Scout Moor Wind Farm gives this part of the walk a distinctive identity. I know wind farms divide opinion, but out on the moor they add a striking sense of scale, and the tracks around them make for easy walking compared with some rougher Rossendale outings. It’s a section where you can really settle into a rhythm, covering ground steadily while taking in the broad sweep of the surrounding hills.

Cragg Quarry, Cowpe Reservoir and the return route

From Scout Moor, the route turns back by way of Cragg Quarry, gradually leaving the highest ground behind. The quarry edges and access tracks give this part of the walk a slightly industrial feel, but in a way that suits the landscape. Rossendale is full of these reminders that the hills here have always been worked as well as walked, and I think that mix of wild moor and human history is part of the area’s appeal.

As the route drops further, Cowpe Reservoir comes into view, bringing another change of scene. After the exposed moorland, the water and lower slopes feel calmer and more enclosed. This is a lovely point in the walk to pause for a moment, especially if the light is catching the reservoir and the surrounding hills. The contrast between the open top and this quieter return leg makes the whole circuit feel nicely balanced.

The path then continues around the area of Rooley Moor before looping back towards Stacksteads. By this stage, most of the hard climbing is done, and the route becomes more about enjoying the final views and letting the legs tick over on the descent. It’s a satisfying finish, with enough interest to stop the last few kilometres from ever feeling like a trudge.

What to expect on the Waugh’s Well hike

This Waugh’s Well hike is best described as moderate. At 10.5 km with around 356 m of ascent, it’s not especially long, but there’s enough uphill walking to make it feel like a proper day out, especially if the ground is wet or the wind is up on Scout Moor. The route itself is varied, using a mix of lanes, farm tracks, moorland paths and access roads, so decent boots are a good idea in all but the driest conditions.

One of the things I like most about this walk is how much variety it packs in. You get the village-edge start from Stacksteads, the steady climb through Cowpe, the characterful stop at Waugh’s Well, the open sweep of Scout Moor, and then the quieter waterside section by Cowpe Reservoir on the return. For anyone looking for a route that shows off the different sides of Rossendale in a single loop, this one does it really well.

It’s also a walk that works in most seasons, though it’s definitely at its best on a clear day when the higher sections can really open up. In winter, the exposed ground around Waugh’s Well and Scout Moor can feel bleak and wintry very quickly, while after prolonged rain some of the paths can be muddy. As ever on upland routes, it’s worth checking the forecast and carrying an extra layer even if things look benign down in the valley.

Planning your visit

If you’re exploring more of the area, the Waugh’s Well walk makes a great introduction to the hills above Rossendale. Stacksteads is easy to reach from other parts of the valley, and the route gives you that satisfying sense of escaping into open country without needing a full mountain day. For anyone who enjoys moorland walking with a bit of local history and a few changing landscapes along the way, it’s an excellent choice.

I’d recommend allowing plenty of time, not because the route is difficult to follow, but because there are several points where it’s worth slowing down, around the well itself, across Scout Moor, and by Cowpe Reservoir on the return. If you’re planning other walks nearby, you can find more routes across Lancashire and the South Pennines on NorthernHiker.com. As a half-day hike with a proper upland feel, this Waugh’s Well hike is one I’d happily return to.