 It is named in memory of Mary, Lady Towneley, who drew attention to the poor state of England's bridleways and the need for a long-distance route for horse-riders by riding with two friends in September 1986 from Hexham in Northumberland to Ashbourne in Derbyshire.She died in 2001.The route joins the main Pennine Bridleway at two points, one near the village of Summit between Littleborough and Todmorden, and one just east of Worsthorne.