Issue Clough

A scramble up Issue Clough above Digley and Bilberry Reservoirs. Summary verdict: an easy scramble except for a grade 2.5 waterfall that is impassable to Grade 1 scramblers

Route in: park at Digley Reservoir. Walk up Issues Road to ford over Issue Brook, and then walk up into Issue Clough

Start point: anywhere the brook starts to look a little more interesting e.g. at OS ref SE 08412 05441

Grading: main waterfall is around a 2.5 and likely needs ropes and not to be attempted solo; rest of Issue Clough is around 0.5: nothing very taxing – a few cascades but quite overgrown and with limited water except after persistent rain

End point: where Issue Clough climbs to meet the Pennine Way

Route out: North along the Pennine Way, then down path to meet Issues Road and back through a number of possible routes to Digley Reservoir

Time: about 75 mins from CP to start point; then about 30 mins up; then about 90 mins to walk back down

Verdict: if you know how to climb up 2.5-grade waterfalls, this would be of interest. If you don’t, then it isn’t.

Video guide: