Crowden-in-Longdendale is a village in Derbyshire.
Crowden is a small and isolated village in the upland valley of Longdendale, on the A628 Manchester–Sheffield Woodhead Pass road that crosses the Pennine moors from west to east. Crowden's main interest to travellers is as the traditional first-night stop on the northbound Pennine Way (Edale–Kirk Yetholm, 268 miles). It lies 16 miles from the start point at Edale; the first day's walk crosses Kinder Scout and Bleaklow (the two highest hills in Derbyshire) before descending to the reservoirs of Longdendale. The village is also close to the west–east Trans Pennine Trail (Southport–Hornsea, 207 miles), part of European walking route E8.
- St James Chapel, Woodhead (½ mile east. Grade-II-listed mid-18th-century chapel. Among Victorian slate gravestones in the churchyard are the unmarked graves of navvies who died working on the Woodhead Tunnels. A simple and affecting building (interior usually locked) in an atmospheric spot, with a well-preserved cobbled quarrymen's track leading up the hill behind the church to Loftend Quarry. Occasional Anglican services.
- Woodhead Tunnels. Three railway tunnels, closed to rail traffic since 1981. Woodhead 1 was one of the world's longest railway tunnels when it opened in 1845. The imposing tunnel entrances are at the end of the Longdendale Trail.
St James Chapel, Woodhead (½ mile east. Grade-II-listed mid-18th-century chapel. Among Victorian slate gravestones in the churchyard are the unmarked graves of navvies who died working on the Woodhead Tunnels. A simple and affecting building (interior usually locked) in an atmospheric spot, with a well-preserved cobbled quarrymen's track leading up the hill behind the church to Loftend Quarry. Occasional Anglican services.
Woodhead Tunnels. Three railway tunnels, closed to rail traffic since 1981. Woodhead 1 was one of the world's longest railway tunnels when it opened in 1845. The imposing tunnel entrances are at the end of the Longdendale Trail.
- Hill walking. Apart from the Pennine Way and Trans-Pennine Trail, moorland day walks are available to Bleaklow, Black Hill and Holme Moss. The Longdendale Edges walk is a 17-mile high-level route from Crowden Youth Hostel (route in Peak District Walking Guide No.2, published by the Peak Park Planning Board). Lower-level walks are available on permitted paths around the reservoirs of Longdendale, and along the Longdendale Trail (below).
- Walk/ride/cycle the Longdendale Trail. 6½-mile cycling and horse-riding trail from Hadfield to Woodhead Tunnels along former railway line. Free.
- Sail at Glossop Sailing Club, Torside Reservoir, +44 1457 854054.
- Rock-climbing. Experienced rock-climbers will find recognised gritstone climbs at Laddow Rocks, Brockholes Quarry and Crowden Great Quarry, among others. See Peak Rock Climbs vol.2: Kinder and Bleaklow (BMC, 2001).
Hill walking. Apart from the Pennine Way and Trans-Pennine Trail, moorland day walks are available to Bleaklow, Black Hill and Holme Moss. The Longdendale Edges walk is a 17-mile high-level route from Crowden Youth Hostel (route in Peak District Walking Guide No.2, published by the Peak Park Planning Board). Lower-level walks are available on permitted paths around the reservoirs of Longdendale, and along the Longdendale Trail (below).
Walk/ride/cycle the Longdendale Trail. 6½-mile cycling and horse-riding trail from Hadfield to Woodhead Tunnels along former railway line. Free.
Sail at Glossop Sailing Club, Torside Reservoir, +44 1457 854054.
Rock-climbing. Experienced rock-climbers will find recognised gritstone climbs at Laddow Rocks, Brockholes Quarry and Crowden Great Quarry, among others. See Peak Rock Climbs vol.2: Kinder and Bleaklow (BMC, 2001).
There is a small shop at the campsite, and a small store at the youth hostel for self-caterers.
There are no pubs or restaurants in the village; the nearest public eating places are at Tintwistle (3½ miles west) or even further afield (e.g. Glossop, Hollingworth, Hadfield).