Countrygoer's Day Out of the Month: Hebdendale, (Calderdale) West Yorkshire

Where from:

Travel: By train to Hebden Bridge (Caldervale Line), from where you can either walk up a steep hill to Slack, or catch the connecting E bus towards Blackshaw Head (hourly; Monday to Saturdays 08 mins pat the hour, Sundays: on the hour), getting off at the top of the Dale at Knoll Top, just past the village of Slack.

Best value travel: From Leeds and Bradford, get a Single (£3.80) or Family (£6.00) Dayrover, which includes all bus and train travel in West Yorkshire.

Why go there now?

It is an easy day out, with no need for an early start, and hourly transport even on a Sunday. On a clear, crispy day you get fantastic views onto the hills. The second part of the walk is through the woods at Hardcastle Crags, which at the moment are still in leaf and full of glorious autumn colours. Attractions along the way include waterfalls, a restored cotton mill and Hardcastle Crags (National Trust). The town of Hebden Bridge has a number of places to satisfy your hunger and quench your thirst. Mushrooms in the woods.

Countrygoer Home

Hebden Bridge

Metro - passenger transport info

The walk starts with at Knoll Top: take a short link path leading past a farm house on the right, and then follow the middle track leading to Mount Pleasant farm, where you join the Pennine Way. Follow the Pennine Way towards the Gorple Lower Reservoir, then go straight through the gate and descend down a short, steep side valley. Next cross the Graining Water beck along a footbridge, follow the path as it zig zags up the slope along Ridge Scout; then follow a narrow road for a very short stretch. Past an informal car park at Black Dean go through the gate on the left, cross the river and follow it, before climbing up the slope. The route then joins the track leading through the woods, before returning to the river at the Mill (a National Trust property and visitor centre with a cafe).

From there, there is a choice of paths either following the river, or going a little higher through the woods along the track, keeping on the same side of the river and heading towards New Bridge. At New Bridge, turn right, cross the river and follow it along the opposite bank to Midgehole, where you pick up a track signed for Heptonstall leading up the hill. The walk soon continues on the level private road, at first tarmacked, which is more like a park avenue, then take a (unsigned) footpath going diagonally down the hill just before the road junction. Go straight ahead at Lee Wood, in between stone built houses, and then descend steeply down a series of steps towards the town of Hebden Bridge.

Things to take with you: