Peregrinating the North West and Beyond

Tag: Walk in West Yorkshire

  • Hardcastle Crags, near Hebden Bridge – A lovely walk under 10 miles in Yorkshire with a pub

    Hardcastle Crags is a stunning wooded valley near Hebdgen Bridge in West Yorkshire. It is part of the South Pennines. You will explore a wide variety of flora and fauna in its woodland. And there are a range of facilities, including an old cotton mill now turned into a cafe. There is an interesting willow sculpture of a horse that reminds us of the area’s industrial past and use of similar horses to work the woodland and a couple of waterfalls.

    10 Miles in West Yorkshire Hardcastle Crags is a stunning wooded valley near Hebdgen Bridge in West Yorkshire. It is part of the South Pennines. You will explore a wide variety of flora and fauna in its woodland. And there are a range of facilities, including an old cotton mill now turned into a cafe. There is an interesting willow sculpture of a horse that reminds us of the area's industrial past and use of similar horses to work the woodland and a couple of waterfalls.
    Click on the picture to see the full slideshow and route video

    Stats
    DifficultyModerate
    Length9.7 mi – 15.6 km
    Total elevation1,371 ft – 418m
    Highest point886 ft – 270m
    Walking time4h00
    TerrainPaths and footpaths
    EquipmentGood shoes, it can get muddy in places.
    View route (Click on menu to reveal the image)
    Send me a message on social media or email to request the GPX file, AllTrails or Komoot link

    Getting there
    • Driving: Car Park in Heptonstall
    • Public transport:
      From Manchester: Train from Victoria to Hebden Bridge and bus 596 to Towngate Churn Lane (Heptonstall) (< 1h)
      From Leeds: Train to Hebden Bridge and bus 596 to Towngate Churn Lane, Heptonstall (1h)
      From York: Train to Leeds then train to Hebden Bridge and bus 596 to Towngate Churn Lane, Heptonstall (1h50)
      From Chester: Direct train to Hebden Bridge and bus 596 to Towngate Churn Lane (Heptonstall) (1h55)
      From Preston: Direct train to Hebden Bridgend bus 596 to Towngate Churn Lane (Heptonstall) (1h30)
      From Sheffield: Train to Leeds then rain to Hebden Bridge and bus 596 to Towngate Churn Lane, Heptonstall (1h55)

    Watering Holes
    • The red Lion – Heptonstall – at the beginning or end of the walk.
      A fab traditional village pub with good selection of real ales.
      Sunny beer garden in the summer and roaring wood-fire in winter.
      The food is home-made and offers classic pub fayre, including roast dinners on Sundays.
      Check with the venue for kitchen hours but note the pub is closed on Mon-Tue and does not open until 15:00 on Wednesdays.

    Make a week-end of it – Where to stay and eat

    Hebden Bridge is a very vibrant town with a many artists and a solid New Age community.
    The lesbian community is also very solid and one of the largest per capita in England. The community was a pioneer in promoting homonormative culture.
    British Airways magazine has named Hebden Bridge as the 4th quirkiest town in the world to live in. And you will find a wide range of places to eat and drink.
    For music and TV lovers, the town was used by Talk Talk, The Dream Academy and Haddaway for their music clips. Then used for the TV show Happy Valley. And Ed Sheeran grew up in the town.
    Whilst property prices are really high; cost of accommodation for the night are reasonable.

    For the budget conscious: IOU Hebden Bridge vegetarian hostel
    The rooms are very comfortable and reasonably priced. The 6 bed dorm I stayed in (exclusive use for two people) was ensuite with separate loo and shower. The staff was incredibly friendly and welcoming and the self-use kitchen comes in very handy to store food for your hike the next day. The outdoor and indoor common spaces are very comfortable.

    For some luxury or a romantic week-end: The White Lion Inn – Hebden Bridge
    Not to be confused with the White Lion Pub in Heptonstall.
    The rooms are furnished with quality and attention to details. They are very comfortable.
    Fantastic location as it is at the heart of everything: Pubs, bars, restaurants and shops

    For a cosy B&B: Hebble End View B&B – Hebden Bridge
    Excellent value and incredibly cosy.
    There are only two rooms, the bathroom is shared and breakfast is served in the room.
    But the owner is very friendly and the breakfast hearty and high quality.


  • Marsden, Black Hill and Black Moss – 14 miles in the South Pennines, West Yorkshire

    A 14 miles hike from the very pretty village of Marsden in the South Pennines in West Yorkshire (Edge of the Peak Districts). Take in the picturesque Butterly Reservoir, Black Hill, moorlands extending as far as you could see and Back Moss.
    Click on the picture to see the full slideshow and route video

    Stats
    DifficultyStrenuous (From the distance)
    Length14.2 mi – 23 km
    Total elevation2,733 ft – 833m
    Highest point1, 897 ft – 578m
    Walking time5h20
    TerrainPaths, footpaths and moors
    EquipmentSufficient water for 14 miles (no pubs or shops en-route on this one) ; good waterproof shoes as the moors are boggy
    View route (Click on menu to reveal the image)
    A 14 miles hike from the very pretty village of Marsden in the South Pennines in West Yorkshire (Edge of the Peak Districts). Take in the picturesque Butterly Reservoir, Black Hill, moorlands extending as far as you could see and Back Moss.
    Send me a message by email or on Instagram to request the GPX file, AllTrails or Komoot link all files can be customized with your chosen departure points and/or to include sights along the trail.

    Getting there
    • Driving: There is a free car-park on Station Road and one on Argyle street
    • Public transport:
    • From Manchester: Direct train from Piccadilly (Takes less than half an hour!). Alternatively, take the train from Victoria and change at Huddersfield
    • From Preston: Train to Manchester Piccadilly and then train to Marsden (c. 1h40)
    • From Leeds: Train to Huddersfield and then train to Marsden (c. 55 mins)
    • From York: Direct trains to Marsden (c. 1h10)
    • From Sheffield: Train to Huddersfield and then train to Marsden (c. 1h30)
    • Contact me for other routes

    Watering Holes
    • The Riverhead Brewery tap – Marsden- after the hike.
      Part of the Ossett Brewery – The pub makes some of its own ale on site. And also stocks some local favorite such as Butterly and Redbrook. (Named after the local reservoirs)
      Probably my favorite for beer in Marsden. But beware this is a trendy micro-brewery rather than quaint village pub. It does serve food but trendy Asian fusion (i.e Bao Buns) rather than your traditional pub fare.
      There is outside seating if the sun is shining.
    • The New Inn – Marsden – after the hike of pubs and cafes in Haworth
      If you are after something more traditional and a great Sunday lunch; this is the place to go to in Marsden.
      A traditional Country pub with roaring fire in the winter and a beer garden in summer. Muddy boots and paws are always welcome.
      The food is traditional, uses local ingredients and home-cooked. Served Mon-Thu from 17:00 to 20:00, from 12:00 to 20:00 on Fri & Sat and 12:00-19:00 on Sundays.

    Make a week-end of it

    Marsden is a very pleasant village in the South Pennines.
    Being on the edge of the Peak Districts; there are plenty of walks that can be started from Marsden.
    And the village has enough coffee shops, pubs, bars and restaurant to keep you entertained for the week-end. Being minutes away from Leeds, and easily accessible by public transport; yet with beautiful country surrounding it will cater for a very wide crowd.
    Suprisingly, there isn’t a wide range of accommodation in Marsden.

    The New Inn does offer 6 cosy rooms above the pub. Check the Watering Holes section for more details.

    There are a few self-catering options for families and groups of friend. Check AirBnB and Booking for options.
    There are a couple in the centre of the village. But for a real county-side week-end; my favorite is about 35 mins walk from the centre.
    Hey Farm Barn: It sleeps 2 people in the bedroom and can accommodate a further two people or children on the sofa-bed. Plenty of walking and cycling from its door-step.

  • Brontë Country – A rainy summer walk before visiting Haworth

    A walk in the Brontë country near Haworth via Cullingworth, Denholme and Oxenhope. Views of Heweden viaduct
    Click on the picture to see the full slideshow and route video

    Stats
    DifficultyModerate
    Length9.6 mi – 15.5 km
    Total elevation1,509 ft – 460m
    Highest point1,217 ft – 370m
    Walking time4h25
    TerrainPaths, streets, roads and footpaths
    EquipmentSufficient amount of water for a four and a half hours walk
    View route (Click on menu to reveal the image)
    A walk in the Brontë country near Haworth via Cullingworth, Denholme and Oxenhope. Views of Heweden viaduct
    Send me a message by email or on Instagram to request the GPX file, AllTrails or Komoot link all files can be customized with your chosen departure points and/or to include sights along the trail.

    Getting there
    • Driving: Several car-parks in Cullingworth
    • Public transport:
    • From York: Train to Bradford Interchange then bus K4 to Cullingworth (c. 1h55)
    • From Leeds: Train to Bingley and bus K4 to Cullingworth (c. 46 mins)

    Watering Holes
    • The Bay Horse Inn – Oxenhope – c. 6.2 miles into the walk (2h45) A great village pub where both locals and visitors are welcome. Outdoor seating in the summer. Good selection of excellent cask ales and recognised by CAMRA. Unfortunately, no food served.
    • Plenty of pubs and cafes in Haworth – small detour from the walk
      I will make a separate post for those.

    Make a week-end of it

    Haworth is a fantastic village. Visit the Brontë sisters parsonage, independent shops, cafes, pubs and restaurants. Check my other post for more details.