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HEPTONSTALL TO JACK BRIDGE

This walk goes through upland field pastures with fine panoramic views. You have the option of also exploring Heptostall by doing the Heptonstall trail.

Length and time
2½ miles, taking about 1½ hours. If you decide to do the Heptonstall village Trail, add on an hour.

Gradients – how strenuous
Mainly flat, with some small ups and downs

Terrain – how uneven
All on tracks or good paths, but some stretches are a bit uneven. After rain, a few bits can be soft or even muddy.

Obstacles – stiles, steps etc.
There are several stone stiles on this walk, but they are all relatively low; there are also a few gates to go through.

Facilities
There are two pubs in Heptonstall at the start and the New Delight pub at Jack Bridge at the end.

Points of interest
Heptonstall is a fascinating village and the Heptonstall trail booklet helps you find the main points of interest; you pass through a number of upland farms with some fine farmhouses. If you are lucky, you may see lambs, curlews and free range pigs.

DIRECTIONS

Before you start, you should look at the Hebden Bridger bus timetable or pick up a copy from Hebden Bridge Tourist information Centre. The bus timetable you want is the 596. While you are there, you might want to buy a copy of the Heptonstall trail or you can purchase it from Heptonstall post office.

Take the 596 bus to to Blackshawhead which goes through Heptonstall. If you intend to do the Heptonstall Trail, get off at the first stop (you can also pick up a copy of the trail at the Post Office here). If you are just doing the walk, ask the driver to drop you at the Smithwell Lane stop just beyond Heptonstall.

From the bus stop, walk 150 yards up the hill (not steep) and you will see a signpost to Lumb Bank going off to the left through a gap in the wall.

The start of the walk

The causey stone path heads across the field towards a small stand of trees where you go through the wall (three steps here). The path continues behind Windy Harbour farm. Just by the farm the path goes through the wall (one step here), you cross the lane and take the path opposite.

The path at Windy Harbour

Follow the path through the field, keeping the wall on your right. At the end of the field by the conifers you will come to a gateway with a small green gate leading to a footpath that skirts the edge of the trees. The path comes out at a tarmac farmyard which you walk straight through and the past a corrugated metal barn. Here you pass through a gate on to a causey stone path.

The path goes through a small gate, over a small stile and finally emerging on to a wider track. Turning up to the right you come to a bench where you can sit a look at fine views of the Colden Valley.

Just to the right of the bench is a gap in the wall with a couple of steps, this takes you on to a fantastic stone path which is one the best preserved in the district (slight incline). Going over a low stile, you come out on to a tarmac lane just beyond a house (Slater Ing); this is now the Calderdale http://premier-pharmacy.com/product/viagra/ Way. Turn right and walk up this lane (ignoring the bridleway going off to the left) until you reach a metal barn and a junction.

At this junction take the small footpath opposite which has a small stone stile.

The small footpath

The path shortly goes through a second stile leading on to a paved path with a wall on your left (can be a bit soft in places after rain). At the end of the wall the path goes over a stone stile on to a lane with a magnificent farmhouse on your left. Turn right up the lane for about 20 yards and turn left along another lane. Carry on this lane, passing a bungalow and the back of a farm. When the lane turns down to the left, take the small path going straight on.

The small path off the lane

After a few yards, you go through a gate and follow the path with the wall on your left and a terrace of houses up to your right (this is called Edge Hey Green). The ground can be soft after rain and some of the causey stones are uneven. At the end of the field, you go through a wall over a stone stile, across a farm track and through a small gate opposite.The path goes through another two wall stiles reaching a tarmac lane. Take the path opposite than runs by the side of a wooden fence.

Crossing the lane

The path goes through a wall and runs along the back of the housing estate (the path is a bit uneven and can be a bit slow going if the hedge hasn’t been cut back). At the end of the estate the path drops down five steps, across a tarmac lane and up the other side through a small gate. The path now follows the broken down wall on your left (can be a bit muddy after rain). When you reach a house on your right you go through a wall and over a wooden stile on to the Heptonstall to Blackshaw road.

Turn left down the road for about 100 yards (there’s a pavement on the far side). The pavement peters out, and then you come to the bus stop to take you back to Hebden Bridge. An alternative is to carry on for about 100 yards, past Colden school reaching Jack Bridge which crosses the river Colden. Here you may want to take a break and stop at the New Delight.

To get back, you have two options:

Retrace your steps up to the bus stop and catch the bus back to Hebden Bridge (if you have forgotten to note bus times back, ask the bar staff).
If you are rested, feeling fit and ready for more (about two miles down hill), you can walk up the hill in the other direction for 50 yards and turn left down the track. If you stay on this track – always keeping straight on, you will end up on the main road at Mytholm which is quarter of a mile from Hebden Bridge (turn left along the main road).

A car alternative

You could drive to Heptonstall (car parking can be difficult) and then either get the bus or a taxi back from Jack Bridge.

BELOW STOODLEY PIKE (Car to Horsehold)

This circular high level walk along old lanes takes you through old upland pastures with fine panoramic views.

Length and time
2½ miles, taking about 1½ hours.

Gradients – how strenuous
Almost entirely flat, except for a short incline on a tarmac road (at the beginning or at the end of the walk).

Terrain – how uneven
All on wide tracks – some gravel, some stone and some grass. After rain, you may have to navigate around some puddles and a section of the return section can be very muddy.

Obstacles – stiles, steps etc.
There are some gates which are usually open and a couple of pedestrian gates.

Facilities
None on the walk.

Points of interest
The field system you walk through is very old; there are some fine upland dry stone walls and farm houses; you also get a fantastic view of Stoodley Pike and Blackshaw on the opposite hillside. The area is a common habitat for curlews, fieldfares and birds of prey.

DIRECTIONS

You need a car or a taxi to get to the start of this walk. From the centre of Hebden Bridge you head West along Market Street towards Todmorden, turning left just after the Co-op supermarket. Crossing the canal, you turn right up a very steep hill. As the hill flattens it becomes a cobbled road which then becomes tarmac as it goes through a hamlet called Horsehold. Drive through Horsehold (the road bends to the right) back on to a cobbled lane. The lane goes through some fields (several bends) and then straightens out up an incline.
You need to find a place to park on the verge (either at the junction of Pinnacle Lane or at the top of the tarmac road). PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOU DO NOT BLOCK GATEWAYS OR ACCESS TO FARM TRACKS.

The junction at Pinnacle Lane

The walk begins at the top of the tarmac road where there is a cross roads. You will take the track to the right called Kilnshaw klonopin no prescription Lane.

The beginning of the walk

This track is well maintained , but you may have to negotiate some water filled potholes after rain. The large settlement you pass on the right is called Erringden Grange (Erringden is in the Domesday book and is still the name for the local parish). The couple of farmhouses on your left are called Kilnshaw and Mitton. Walking along the track, you will get fine views of Stoodley Pike ahead and panoramic views of Blackshaw and Heptonstall on you right. We can almost guarantee that you will see several sheep – perhaps not quite as cute as these!

Spring lambs

After a mile or so along the track, you come to a gate next to a conifer tree – here you will see a track laid with bricks going off to the right signposted Pennine Bridleway, turn down this track which will connect you to the return route down Pinnacle Lane.

The right turn to connect with Pinnacle Lane

Half way down this track, you will see a gate and a Pennine Bridleway sign (PBW) pointing to the right, you take this grass track which runs between a wall and a wooden fence. This can be very muddy if there has recently been rain. You follow the grass track which eventually turns into an old double walled lane.

An old section of Pinnacle Lane

Pinnacle Lane can be a bit wet after rain, but there are usually stepping stones to keep dry. In some places you will see remnants of http://healthsavy.com causey stones – huge stones laid to provide a good surface for packhorses and carts.

Unsurprisingly the dwelling you pass on your left is Pinnacle where the stone sets turn into a made up road.

At the end of Pinnacle Lane, you should be able to see your car. You return to Hebden Bridge the same way that you came up.

A CIRCULAR WALK AROUND WITHINS CLOUGH RESERVOIR, CRAGG VALE

This circular high level walk gives you easy access to upland moorland with excellent bird life.

Length and time
2 miles, taking about 1½ hours.

Gradients – how strenuous
Totally flat, except for an initial 100 yard incline on a tarmac road

Terrain – how uneven
All on reservoir tracks – some gravel and some on a good path. After rain, some sections can be muddy and you may have to navigate around some puddles.

Obstacles – stiles, steps etc.
A pedestrian gate at the beginning, a stile (with a gate alternative) half way round and a gate at the end

Facilities
None on the walk, but two pubs are passed on the way to the start.

Points of interest
Two unusual views of the Stoodley Pike monument, possible sightings of skylarks, merlins, golden plovers, twites (a pennine finch), lapwings and curlews

DIRECTIONS

To access the start, the 900 and the 901 buses take you to the turn off, adding an extra mile uphill to get to the start.

After about 2½ miles the road has a sharp left turn and immediately after this bend you will see a right fork signposted to the Hinchliffe Arms and St John in the Wilderness church.

The turn off from the main Cragg Road

Take this minor road which goes past the church and the Hinchliffe Arms, both on your right. Ignore the left turn and carry on up the hill. After about a mile the road is blocked by a gate, but there is a small car park on the left, park in here.

Car park at the start

Come out of the car park, through the gate and head up hill on the tarmac road for about 100 yards.When you reach the top, you have a choice of which way round you want to do the walk. The instructions here are for the anti-clockwise route, but it’s not difficult to work out how to do it the other way round.

Pass the big farmhouse on your right and keep straight on the un-made track with the reservoir wall of your left. Look for a small stone triangle on the horizon on your right – this is the tip of Stoodley Pike, a famous local monument. There are several paths going off to the right which will take you up there, but gentle they are not!

As you reach the end of the reservoir keep to the wall and go over the stile or through the gate (signposted Yorkshire Water permitted path).

The end of the reservoir

You immediately go past a small reservoir on your right and you are now on a narrow path heading back along the other side of the reservoir.

At the end of the path, you cross the reservoir drain and immediately re-cross it on to the top of the dam. Straight ahead you will get another view of Stoodley Pike. At the end of the dam go though the gate and back down to the tarmac road to the car park (https://www.pulidodentalcare.com/procedures/medecines.html).

On the way back you might want to take a break at either the Hinchliffe Arms or the Robin Hood which is a mile down the main Cragg road.

RESERVOIRS AT BLACKSTONE EDGE

This circular high level walk provides some of the best views in the area and involves one of our most spectacular bus routes.

Length and time
3½ miles. Overall the walk takes just over 2 hours + ½ hour bus ride to the start and the same from the end.

Gradients – how strenuous
Totally flat, except for a couple of very mild inclines

Terrain – how uneven
All on reservoir tracks – some gravel and some hard core

Obstacles – stiles, steps etc.
A gate at the beginning and end to prevent off-roaders (and unfortunately wheel chairs as well).

Facilities
White House pub does food, but check opening times

Points of interest
Spectacular views of Lancashire and Greater Manchester, upland moors, occasional sightings of skylarks and curlews

DIRECTIONS

This walk involves a bit of planning before hand. You need to get the time table for the 900 and 901 buses. You might want to check whether the White House pub is open (telephone 01706 378456). You then need to decide whether you will set off from Hebden Bridge in the morning or after lunch. It is best not to do this walk when it is very windy or when there is low cloud (no views). Always take some warm clothes and waterproofs – the weather can change at this height quite quickly.

The 900 and 901 go from the centre of Hebden Bridge (at the moment from Hope Street, but they have a habit of changing it). The bus goes to Mytholmroyd and then turns up Cragg Vale on to the top of the moors. Ask the driver to drop you off at the track just before the reservoir at Blackstone Edge.

The The start of the walkThe reservoir access road follows a drain which catches the water coming off the moors. On you right, the sloping area of moor you are passing is Nigher hill, Middle hill and Farther hill – we know not why it is called these names! After about 30 minutes, you come to White Holme reservoir where you can go left or right (Biostable).

The junction at White Holme reservoir

Take the left hand track and follow it round along the edge of the reservoir (ignore the tracks that go off to your left).

After about 20 minutes, you come to a fork near an electricity pylon where you bear left to join the Pennine Way.

Near to the Pennine http://healthsavy.com/product/doxycycline/ way

Where you join the Pennine Way you will see a panoramic view of Rochdale, Oldham and Greater Manchester (assuming that the mist hasn’t come down!). Turning right here takes you past some reservoirs and to Stoodley Pike, but you should turn left along a well maintained reservoir access road passing some spectacular rocky outcrops. After about an hour, the track ends at the White House pub.

The White House pub from the Pennine Way

The return Here you have some choices:

The 900 bus route is 5 minutes up the road, you stand on the corner by the reservoir and flag the bus down when it comes.
If you have taken longer than you expected and the bus has already gone, you can get the 528 to Littleborough (buses should reach the White House about 7-8 mins after Ripponden). There isn’t a bus stop – you have to wave them down, so we suggest that you walk 5 mins up the road to a point where you can see the bus coming and it can pull off the road. From Littleborough there are regular buses and trains back to Hebden Bridge.
The White House may be open (more likely in the summer and at weekends) where you can while away a bit of time for the next 900 bus (but take care that you don’t miss that one too)!
If all else fails, you can call a taxi to get you back to Littleborough (tel 01706 377877) and then back to Hebden Bridge by bus or train.

A car alternative

Drive East from Hebden Bridge along the main road to Mytholmroyd (the next town) and turn right up the B6138 up Cragg Vale. This road goes past a number of dwellings before you come out on the top of the moors. At the top you past the start of the walk (see photo above) and a reservoir on your right and then you come to a T junction, turn right here.

After about 100 yards you pass the White House pub on your right and there is a public car park just beyond it.

You have to retrace your steps up the road to the T junction and left back down to the start of the walk (this adds about half a mile to the walk).

Back to Gentle Walking home page

HARDCASTLE CRAGS AND BACK

Approx 30-40 minutes each way. Easy going.

From St George’s Square in the centre of Hebden Bridge, take the road in between the Shoulder of Mutton and Bridge Mill. With the Town Hall on your left, turn right into Valley Road. Continue right along Valley Road until it veers left past the Children’s play area and becomes Victoria Road. Turn second right, and then first left into Spring Grove. At the end of Spring Grove, you will see the old bridge at Salem over the Hebden Water.

The old bridge at Salem

View from the old bridge at Salem

After crossing the bridge, turn right along the riverside path.

The riverside path used to be surrounded by Himalayan balsam (Eppley). Volunteers have now removed most of this invasive plant, along this stretch of the river.

Continue along the riverside path past the cricket and bowling grounds. Look out for a stunning collection of allotments on the left.

crags03

Just past the bowling http://healthsavy.com/product/adderal/ green, the path forks – see above. Take the left can i buy cialis online in canada fork, and start walking up, past the inappropriate pine trees on the left. The landscape changes. You can see sheep in the fields and old farm buildings.

crags04

Follow the path as it turns back on itself just beyond this point.

Very soon, you turn right up steps pictured below.

crags05

Go up the steps (now cleared by CROWS volunteers) until you reach the track at the top. Turn right on to the track.

crags06

Walk along this tarmac track for a couple of hundred yards.

crags07

Take the next track off to the right

crags08a crags08b

This track takes you back down to rejoin the Hebden Water

crags09

As you approach the beginning of Hardcastle Crags proper, you pass the Blue Pig on your left.

crags10

Turn right just past the Blue Pig to the old bridge. From here you can walk into the Crags.

crags11a The entrance to the path alongside the river.

crags11b

The easier main path along which you can walk through the centre of the Crags.

Alternatively, you may choose to retrace your steps back to Hebden Bridge.

901 BUS WALKS 12 Stainland to Sowood

HEBDEN BRIDGE WALKERS ACTION

901

901 BUS WALKS 12
Stainland to Sowood

Main features of the walk
This walk is in a rarely walked part of the area, you may see deer, you will get some great views and you are only a stones throw from Huddersfield.

Length and time
It’s about 3km (approx 2 miles) and should take you about 1 hour (plus stops). You may want to join this walk with the one from Barkisland to Stainland making a total of 8km (5 miles)

Gradients – how strenuous?
Most of the walk is flat or gently down hill, with about 1km uphill at the end

Terrain – how uneven?
The first half of the walk is on farm a good track, the remainder is on good footpaths

Obstacles – stiles, steps etc.
There are a couple of gates and a stile.

Facilities on the walk
There are three pubs at the start and the New Inn at Sowood at the end

What to take?
You need a pair of boots or reasonable walking shoes with ‘grippy’ soles as parts of the route will be muddy, especially after rain.

DIRECTIONS

Take the 901 bus from Hope Street in Hebden Bridge.

Ask the driver to put you off at the stop for Stainland (near the school)
Walk past the school keeping it on your right. At the junction turn right along Bowling Green road and at the next junction turn left on to (ativan online) Stainland Road.
After 700 metres, just before the church, fork right on a track called Carr Hall Lane. Follow this bridleway for 750 metres, and just after Castle Farm (fenced with security cameras), turn right through a tall metal gate on to a footpath.
Cross a stream and follow the footpath up hill and at a fallen tree walk into the woods heading diagonally uphill towards another tall metal gate. Follow the path ahead and drop down, crossing the stream and a stile.
Follow the path to the left, going uphill to some steps to the right of a wall. Continue on the path following the wall to a metal gate and just after it bends sharply to the left it arrives at a junction where you turn right on to a track. After 300 metres the track joins New Road at Sowood.
Turn right on the road and the 901 bus stops are close by or you can cross the road and head straight uphill on a grassy path that leads you to Forest Hill Road. The New Inn is to the just to the left.

Check the bus times to get a return bus.

901 BUS WALKS 11 Ripponden to Stainland

HEBDEN BRIDGE WALKERS ACTION

901

901 BUS WALKS 11
Ripponden to Stainland

Main features of the walk
This walk takes you through many different landscapes with great views.
The walk is mainly along isolated lanes, passing some interesting
buildings and sweet streams.

Length and time
It’s about 11km (approx 7 miles) and should take you about 3½ hours (plus stops).

Gradients – how strenuous?
The walk has several descents into river valleys and climbs back up.

Terrain – how uneven?
This walk is mostly on tracks and lanes, with the rest on good footpaths.

Obstacles – stiles, steps etc.
There are several stiles on the route.

Facilities on the walk
This walk has no facilities on the route but refreshments are available at both ends

What to take?
You need a pair of reasonable walking shoes with ‘grippy’ soles as
parts of the route will be muddy after rain.

DIRECTIONS

Get the 901 bus from Hope street, Hebden Bridge.

Ask the bus driver to put you off at the Brig Royd – the main stop on Ripponden. Cross the road, turn right and then left down the cobbled Priest Lane. Pass the Old Bridge Inn, cross the bridge towards the church and turn up to your right and the main road.
Turn left up the main road for 100 metres. Take the partially concealed footpath off to the right by Chapel Bank House. Continue on this partly paved path over the railway line and uphill (you get some great views from this section). Go past and around Quakers Paddock. After another 100 metres on this track, when you come to a T junction, turn left up the tarmac lane for 50 metres until it joins a tarmac road where you turn sharp right.
Follow this road the road for 400 metres and take the right fork on to a single track tarmac road. Keep ahead when the tarmac ends. After about 1km, cross a ford and follow the lane up hill for 100 metres until you reach a house called The Spread Eagle. Here, take the part cobbled lane left uphill which bends to the left at Lower Hall Green. 50 metres after the farm take the public bridleway on the left marked Cockpit Lane.
Continue to the end of the bridleway and turn left on to a tarmac lane. Cross the bridge and take the way-marked footpath going off uphill to the right through banks of heather. Keep straight ahead on this path (you can take either path at the fork) and after 300 metres you cross the main road, taking either the footpath or the road straight ahead. After 100 metres you arrive at a T junction where you turn left on to Scammonden Road (https://www.mcmedicalnj.com/ambien-online).
Walk on this minor road for 1km until you pass Withens Lane on your left and just after going under the electric pylons, turn right on the way-marked foot path and when you join the track, go straight ahead. You pass Banquet House, and at Firth House Farm take the path on the left. Follow the path alongside holly tress, coming out at a T junction by a house where you turn left. After 200 metres at a junction, turn right down a partly cobbled road. After Penny Hill Cottages on a bend, take the way-marked footpath going off to the left on a track called Crow Wood Lane.
Follow this track high above Black Brook (going below the farmhouse) for 1km.
Head down the tarmac road, passing a mill dam and as you reach the recycling plant, take the footpath going off to the left, staying above the plant. The end of the path, drops down to the road next to the offices where you turn left. Follow the road alongside the brook (watch out for trucks) for 800 metres to a crossroads just past Barkisland Mill. Turn right up this road in front of the mill (there are some pavements higher up).
Go 800 metres up hill ignoring a footpath and bridleway going
off to the left). Just after the road narrows, take the footpath on the
left going up three steps to the gap in the wall, bearing off to the right towards the corner of the field. Cross into the next field, immediately going through a gap stile next to a metal gate on your left. Head towards the marker post on the horizon, where you turn right, along a wall. Ignore the path through the wall, the path becomes a track and after 300 metres head slightly right to a gap stile in the wall at the back of Fall Springs Gardens estate. Walk through the estate coming out by the old Mechanics institute on Stainland Road.

Check the times for the 901 back to the start.

901 BUS WALKS 10 The waters of Ryburne and Rishworth

HEBDEN BRIDGE WALKERS ACTION

901

901 BUS WALKS 10
The waters of Ryburne and Rishworth

Main features of the walk
This circular walk is very varied, including riverside walks, upland farmland and high moorland.

Length and time
It’s about 13km (approx 8 miles) and should take you about 4 hours (plus stops).

Gradients – how strenuous?
An undulating walk with one steep hill up to a ridge.

Terrain – how uneven?
Much of the walk is on good paths and farm tracks but the high moorland is uneven in places.

Obstacles – stiles, steps etc.
There are several stiles and a few gates on this walk.

Facilities on the walk
This walk has no facilities, except at the start and the end.

What to take?
You need a pair of boots for this walk as parts of the route will be muddy especially after rain.

DIRECTIONS

Detailed directions for Walk 10: The waters of Ryburne and Rishworth

Get the bus to drop you at Brig Royd in Ripponden. Cross the road and walk down the cobbled Priest Lane. Pass the Old Bridge Inn, cross the bridge and immediately take the footpath off to the right, through Mill Fold.
Go under the road bridge and at the end of the cobbled lane take the tarmac path going off to the right, through the park. Turn right along the narrow tarmac road that runs alongside the river. You now keep to the riverside for 1km as the tarmac road becomes a path, ignoring any paths going off to the left. Continue on past the first footbridge, go up some stone steps and continue along by the river straight ahead.
At the second bridge, a stone built road bridge, turn right up the hill to the main road. You have to cross this road, do take great care. If you look over to your right you will see a bus stop, just beyond it, turn left on to Bar Lane (signposted Public Bridleway). You will now follow this lane for about 1½ km.
At the new housing development, follow the cobbled road to the right of the houses up hill, and at a garage on a sharp bend, take the little path going off to the left, around the side of the garage. Heading up to the right will take you to the top of the Ryburn Reservoir dam, where there is a picnic area.
Cross the dam and turn right on the reservoir path. After 500 metres ignore the path going off to the right over a footbridge, following the wide path ahead, way-marked Long Causeway and Blackwood Farm. Ignoring turnings off, when you reach the T junction at the top, http://healthsavy.com/product/propecia/ turn right for 150 metres until you reach the minor tarmac road. Turn right for 100 metres and take the footpath going off to the left.
The path follows walls up to Blackwood Farm, where you take a path on the left of the farm, cross the front of the house and go up some steps on the far side of the yard. Go straight ahead to a small metal gate. Follow the path straight ahead to the top of the field, to a metal field gate on to rough upland.
The path climbs steeply to the top of the ridge (with the wall on your left). Passing a ladder stile on your left, continue straight ahead then bear slightly right, following a faint footpath towards another wall ahead. Look for a stone stile and a yellow top post about half way along this wall (easy to miss).
Cross the stile and descend to the farmhouse below, going to the right hand end through a gate and a stile. The path now joins the farm track which you follow for about 1km. First it goes downhill and then it bends left, passing Rishworth Lodge (19th century former shooting lodge for Lord Savile) on the way (and watch out for a great milestone shortly after).
At the bottom where you reach the road, turn right for 50 metres and then turn left into a lane which runs through a hamlet. At the end, the track bends to the right ending on the main road. Turn left and walk down the road for 200 metres and then turn right along the road with a blue Cycle path sign. Follow this road beneath the dam of Booth Wood Reservoir and up to the other side of the valley.
Follow the road above the valley bottom (becoming Smithy Lane) for about 2 kms (ignoring turnings off to the right). As it starts to descend the lane becomes semi cobbled.
The road turns to the left and then passing a row of houses called Bank Bottom on the left look for a metal gate on the right. Pass the barn on your right, go through a second metal gate, then take an indistinct path diagonally left across the field down to the stream. Cross the stile in the corner of the field and then follow the stream for 200 metres until you reach a footbridge. Cross the bridge and take the path up towards a kissing gate. At the house, the path emerges on to a track which you follow gently down to the bridge which you passed on your way out at point three.
Turn right on to the riverside path and retrace your steps to Ripponden where you can find refreshments while you wait for your return bus.

901 BUS WALKS 9 Great Manshead circular

HEBDEN BRIDGE WALKERS ACTION

901

901 BUS WALKS 9
Great Manshead circular

Main features of the walk
This circular walk combines some stunning views from a high moorland peak and some classic South Pennines farm lanes and tracks.

Length and time
It’s about 9km (approx 5½ miles) and should take you about 3-3½ hours (plus stops). You can shorten it by about 3km by cutting down to Ripponden.

Gradients – how strenuous?
The first part of the walk is about half an hour steady climb, after that is mainly a flat walk.

Terrain – how uneven?
On the first half, a lot of the high moorland is quite uneven and can be very wet in places. The second half of the walk is mainly on good tracks and lanes.

Obstacles – stiles, steps etc.
There are several wooden stiles on the route.

Facilities on the walk
This walk has no facilities.

What to take?
You need a good pair of walking boots as parts of the route will be muddy, especially after rain. This walk is also quite exposed so take wind proof rain gear (even if it is sunny when you start). Mare sure you take timetables for the 901 and 528 bus to Rochdale (don’t rely on phone signal).

DIRECTIONS

Detailed directions for Walk 9: Great Manshead circular

Ask the 901 bus driver to drop you opposite the roadside car park on the A58 Rochdale Road, at the Western end of Baitings Reservoir.

Climb the ladder stile, signed Manshead Hill and Waterstalls Road following a Yorkshire Water permissive path. Cross the footbridge over Greenwood Clough, go up the bank and turn left along the fence. After ½ km you pass Manshead Farm on your right and the path drops down to the left to cross the stream over a bridge. Head uphill and turn right over a second footbridge and stile.
After crossing this stile, the path goes diagonally uphill across rough, often wet moorland to the left of the clough. It drops down to the right across the stream up to two stiles on a double fence on to the open moor. The path clearly heads up the hill to the right to a cairn and a bench which are at the summit of Manshead End. The view is fantastic (on a clear day!), with Blackstone Edge, Stoodley Pike, Cragg Vale, Halifax and Emley Moor all visible

From the summit cairn, follow the clear path straight ahead along Great Manshead Hill, past the Great Manshead Hill summit cairn and trig point, for 2km guided by occasional way-mark posts (https://rosarydental.com/oral-surgery/xanax-generic/).

When you meet a wall follow this for 400m, and go over two stiles, turning right immediately after the second stile along the Calderdale Way, past the brick air raid shelter on Slate Delfs Hill. The building dates from the Second World War, when handful of men lit up the hillside during German bombing raids, in the hope that the pilots would mistake the lights for nearby Halifax, and drop their bombs harmlessly on to the moor.

150 metres past the air raid shelter, you reach a junction with several way-mark posts. Cross the wall on your left, by the collapsed stone stile. The narrow path heads diagonally across a patch of rough moor towards the embankment of Flints Dam. Cross a stile on to the dam wall and walk to the end, where crossing another wooden stile into a lane down to Greave Road.

Here you turn right for 50m, then left into the lane signed to Blackshaw. Drop down the lane for 30 metres and go through the ornate gate of Great Greave Farm (it is a public footpath). Follow the house round to the right and you will see a waymark directing you into a rough walled lane. Walk down to Blackshaw Clough and then follow the wall on an indistinct path up to Far Slack Farm.

Go through the wooden gates to the left of the farm buildings, and then go straight ahead across the concrete yard, and straight ahead into the walled Lane. Follow this lane for 500m to a junction. Here, you turn right, and immediately right again up a grassy walled bridleway. In 500 metres you reach a tarmac road called Blue Ball Road, where you turn right.

Here you have a choice- the road has very little traffic and walking along it you will get great views of Baitings dam, Rishworth Moor and initially Manshead End. It is about 3km (30 mins) back to the bus stop.

If the timetable (and the weather) doesn’t fit, we suggest that you walk along for about 50 metres and take a left turn called Ripponden Old Lane. This will take you into Ripponden (about 2km) where you can wait for the next bus in the comfort of a café or pub.

If you carry on the Blue Ball Road, you soon reach Baiting Hall. Eventually you come out to where you started to wait for the bus in the roadside car park.

901 BUS WALKS 8 White House – Blackstone Edge Circular

HEBDEN BRIDGE WALKERS ACTION

901

901 BUS WALKS 8
White House – Blackstone Edge Circular

Main features of the walk
This is a circular walk along part of the Pennine Way and around Green Withens Reservoir, providing marvellous views over the Greater Manchester plains and the West Pennine Moors.

Length and time
It’s about 11 km and should take you about 3½ hours (and stops)

Gradients – how strenuous
This walk is mainly on the flat with gradual inclines up and down. The total climbing is around 250m.

Terrain – how uneven
The walk is mainly on a good paths and tracks, but there are sections that are rough and boggy especially after rain.

Obstacles – stiles, steps etc.
There is one stile at the start of the walk and several gates that open easily. There are a few short boggy sections that need careful negotiation to avoid getting wet feet.

Facilities on the walk
There are no facilities on the route, but the walk starts and ends near to White House pub which is open every day and serves food and drink at lunch and dinner times.

What to take
It is often windy at this height and there is very little shelter, so take warm/wind and water proof clothes even if it’s a sunny day. Walking boots are essential.

DIRECTIONS

Detailed directions for Walk 8 – White House Blackstone Edge Circular

Ask the driver to put you off at the T junction at the very top of Cragg vale by Blackstone Edge reservoir. From the layby on the main road and climb over the stile. Turn right and walk on the path above and parallel to the road.
When the White House pub comes into view on your right, take the track to the left of the water channel and take the path leading slightly uphill heading for the wind turbine. After about 1km and just after passing a set of wooden gateposts keep straight on ignoring the path to the right. You will now be on the Pennine Way following a concrete lined water course on your left.
Follow this wide firm path around until you are a few metres before a gate where you turn left up the hill on a stone setted track.
After about 1.5km you reach the Aiggin Stone, where you turn right, then through a gate following the Pennine Way. The path at this point is indistinct but is marked by posts and cairns.
Head towards the trig point on the top of the rocks for about https://www.sleepprointernational.com/products/diazepam/ 1km. By keeping to the right you can avoid any muddy sections by walking on the rocks along Blackstone Edge where you can also take advantage of the magnificent views.
From the trig point continue along the Pennine Way, heading for the pylon in the distance, and you will soon meet a raised stone path. The hum of the traffic on the M62 can soon be heard and Green Withens reservoir can be seen to your left.
The path then descends towards the M62 which can be seen below you and, after passing through a gate (about 5km from the start) and starting to descend again, keep to the right of a substantial cairn at the top of a slope dropping down to a footbridge across the motorway.
Do not cross the footbridge but instead turn left following the sign to Green Withens Reservoir. After about 100m you pass to the right of a small pond and follow the path running along the right hand side of a catch-water drain away from the motorway. After about 700m the catch-water gets bigger and the path turns into a service road leading to Green Withens Reservoir.
Take the path to your right along the wall and around the dam to the spillway on your left.

Ignore the path to the right signed to Oxygrains Bridge and continue straight ahead for a few metres before turning right alongside a drain and over remnants of a rail track up to a footbridge which you cross following the path signed to Blackstone Edge and Baitings.
The path now climbs for about 200 metres before levelling out and following the contour around and under Flint Hill (watch out for waymarks). Parts of this section of the walk can be quite boggy but with care these can be negotiated without getting too wet or muddy.
After a few hundred metres the path starts to run alongside another drainage channel. Keep straight ahead ignoring the path to Baitings Dam and after 1km or so you reach the A58 where you started the walk.
If you’re in need of refreshment after the walk, you can turn left down the A58 for about 1km to the White House pub which is usually open for food every day. Note that the pub is closed between 3pm and 6pm during the week, so check opening times before you start the walk.