Here are some local walks that we enjoy. More will be added soon.
1. Town & Canal
2. Hare & Hounds Circular              
3. Hardcastle Crags, Gibson Mill & Muddy Boots Cafe
4. Backwoods & Byways: off-road routes between HB Hostel & the town centre.
5. Heptonstall Circular
Feel free to copy and print them; or buy a copy from us at the Hostel (50p per walk, £1 for all the walks).
(Details on how to get to us from the Pennine Way can be used for clues to other walks in the area.)

1. TOWN & CANAL - a circular walk of around 1.5 miles
From HB Post Office to the Stubbing Wharf Pub and back, via the canal,
the Alternative Technology Centre and some of Hebden's quirky little independent shops.

Going:
From the Post Office head away from town, past the Trades Club (our no.1 music venue) and the Little Theatre. Emerging onto the canal at Black Pit Lock, turn right along the towpath.

[Possible detour: go left and over the canal bridge to a children's playground and Calder Holmes Park.]

If you don't detour then on your right, over a low wall, you'll see where Hebden Water and the River Calder meet and go under the canal aqueduct. A carved stone head jutting out from the wall gazes over the confluence of the rivers; reputedly the image of a worker who was drowned during construction of the aqueduct.

Walk along the towpath, past a converted mill and picturesque terraced houses, to Hebble End.

Hebble End houses the Alternative Technology Centre, leather and woodwork studios and local small businesses including Cycle Recycle (recycled bicycles), Weasel Wharf (ukuleles and wooden tools), Not a Full Shilling (hand-carved coins) and The Wiccan Broom Cupboard. The ATC has a small cafe, a well-stocked store selling all things eco, an educational 'energy room', a biodiversity centre and ever-changing exhibitions (eg 'One Planet', 'Local Heritage').

Continue along the canal and under a stone road-bridge.

[Possible short-cut: go up onto the road , turn right towards the Co-op, then right again onto Market Street and into the centre of town.]

If you don't take the short-cut you'll continue along the towpath past colourful narrow-boats, a tall mill chimney at Stubbing Holme and rows of terraced houses.

Walk beneath one more stone bridge (No. 19) and ahead you'll see pub tables and benches outside the Stubbing Wharf Pub (see our Dining Guide for more info). Wooden steps lead down into the pub.

[Possible adventure: go onto the road at No 19 bridge, cross over the canal and continue up the road to a small gate on the right; this leads to a fantastic View Point and footpath through Horsehold Woods.]

Coming Back:
Leave by the front door of the pub (not the canal-side), turn right and walk along a narrow lane parallel to the towpath. The lane becomes a footpath and ends at a T-junction.

Turn left, down a few steps, then turn right. (Don't cross the metal bridge.)

[Possible big adventure: do cross the metal bridge, cross the main road, head into Eaves Wood. From here you could end up in Heptonstall, the Colden Valley, at Jack Bridge or in the New Delight Pub..]

If you don't cross the metal bridge you'll emerge onto Stubbing Holme Road with the River Calder on your left and rows of terraces on your right.

Go straight on.

When the road turns sharply left, go through the small white gate ahead of you and take the footpath along the riverside (Hebden Vale Children's Centre is on your right). Go left onto a footbridge over the river and turn right onto Market Street.

After passing the Co-op look out for Ruby Shoesday on the right and, directly opposite, Radiance; 
two of Hebden's best, infamously quirky little shops.

Continue along Market Street to the main crossroads; turn right here to return to the Post Office.

2. HARE & HOUNDS PUB & BACK – a Circular Walk

Hostel - Hare and Hounds: c. 30-40min.
From the corner of the hostel carpark take the footpath into the woods.

After a couple of minutes look for a turn in the path – it bends to the left and continues steeply down rough wood-and-earth steps.

At the bottom of the steps turn right. Go straight on until you see the millpond.

Here you have a choice of route:
straightforward:
Drop down into the valley via wide stone-and-earth steps then take the stone steps up on the other side of the valley; follow the yellow “Link Path” sign.

scenic (only a few minutes longer... but not recommended after heavy rain):
Stick to the right hand side of the millpond until, at the far end, you reach the stepping stones; cross the pond here then turn left. Go past the wooden benches then just past a metal bench and turn right; follow the “Link Path” sign.

The routes are now one again.

The path climbs gently up the side of the valley.

When it forks take the lower path towards the old stone bridge. Don't cross the bridge; carry on past the water turbine building (not yet back in use) and continue following the earth path upstream.

There are often muddy patches along here. The worst is just before you cross a tumbling side-stream.

When the path veers left, away from the main stream, head for the gap in the dry-stone walls ahead.

The path takes you to a wooden stile, over a stone wall and onto a road. Turn right.

After c.25m turn left onto a stone footpath (slippery in wet weather). This is just before Rockland House and before the road turns sharply right. (It's a “Link Path” again.)

Just after a metal farm gate turn right onto another footpath. After a short distance this path veers left through a narrow stone opening and approx. 15m further on, turn right again. There should be a terrace of houses to the right.

At the end of this path is a T-junction; turn left.

The path emerges into the carpark of a converted mill at 'Top Oth Croft' in Wadsworth village.

Head up to the main road, turn right.

The Hare and Hounds pub is about 100m away on your right.

Hare and Hounds - Hostel: c. 30min.

Leave the pub by the front door; turn right out of the door and walk down the lane.

On a clear day you can see Stoodley Pike, Heptonstall Church, the chimney of Old Town Mill and the Wadsworth wind turbine.

The lane takes a sharp right...

Here you have a choice of 3 routes:

straightforward:
Follow the lane around to the right and downhill.

At the bottom (ie after about 100m) turn left onto Sandy Gate Lane.

Walk down Sandy Gate for c.1km until you reach a T-junction.

Turn right onto Birchcliffe Road then first right into the hostel carpark.

scenic:
When the lane bends right, go straight on. This is a 'no through road' which begins as tarmac, becomes gravel and then turns to earth.

When the path forks, stick to the wider, downhill track. Shortly after this, look for a small metal gate on the right, next to a large stone.

Go through the gate onto a narrow footpath and head downhill.

Follow the footpath through two more small metal gates until you reach a road – Sandy Gate Lane.

Turn left and walk along Sandy Gate until you reach a T-junction.

Turn right onto Birchcliffe Road then first right into the hostel carpark.

foolhardy:
Follow the scenic route but only go through the first two small metal gates.

Approx 10m after the second gate, turn left onto a secondary footpath.

Continue until you reach tarmac; turn right.

Walk c.30m along the road then turn right onto a hard-packed path with a row of red-brick houses to your left. After the houses there's a basketball hoop and a few picnic benches.

Continue along the path until it begins to go downhill. Look for a tiny unmarked path on your right; this is just after a single small bench and just before the main path begins to switchback.

This tiny path is steep, slippery when wet and not entirely easy to follow. It goes more or less straight downhill through woodland then veers gently to the right; there are allotments to your left here and a little further on there's an old private graveyard.

Once past the graveyard, pass through the wrought iron gates onto Sandy Gate Lane.

Turn left and walk along Sandy Gate until you reach a T-junction.

Turn right onto Birchcliffe Road then first right into the hostel carpark.

Hare & Hounds opening times (01422 842671 for confirmation; see Dining Guide for when food is served)

Mon: 6pm-11pm; Tue, Wed, Thu: noon-3pm & 6pm-11pm; Fri: noon-3pm & 5pm-11pm;

Sat: noon-11pm; Sun: noon-10pm

Food served: Weekdays noon-2.30pm & 6pm-8.45pm; Sat noon-7.45pm; Sun noon-6.45pm

3. GIBSON MILL & MUDDY BOOTS CAFE WALK

Hostel - Hardcastle Crags carpark: c. 30min.

Go out of the hostel onto Birchcliffe Road and turn right.

Head downhill on Birchcliffe Road, past Chapel Avenue, Edward Street & Eiffel Street.

Take the next right onto a narrow street, almost doubling back on yourself – the terrace of houses on your right is 'Eiffel Buildings'.

At the bottom of this street turn right onto Keighley Road.

Cross at the traffic lights just ahead of you and continue up Keighley Road until you come to Nursery Nook terrace on your left.

Turn left here, into Midgehole Road.

Continue along Midgehole Road for approx. 1 mile to Hardcastle Crags carpark.

Off-road, alternative route:

Instead of going from the hostel onto Birchcliffe Road, from the corner of the hostel carpark take the footpath into the woods.

Look for a turn in the path – it bends left and continues steeply down rough wood-and-earth steps.

At the bottom of the steps bear right. Go straight on until you see the millpond.

Drop down into the valley then take the path left and downhill.

You will emerge onto Keighley Road beside the Nutclough Tavern (now a housing co-operative); cross the road at the traffic lights in front of you, turn right and continue up Keighley Road until you come to Nursery Nook terrace on your left.

Turn left here, into Midgehole Road.

Continue along Midgehole Road for approx. 1 mile to Hardcastle Crags carpark.

The routes are now one again.

Hardcastle Crags carpark – Gibson Mill & Muddy Boots Cafe: c. 20min.

Don't turn into the carpark – continue on in the direction you've been walking, with the carpark on your right.

Ahead is an estate track with a 'No Through Road' sign and a 'Gibson Mill 1 mile' sign.

The most direct route to Gibson Mill is along this track.

Scenic, alternative routes:

A 'low path' can be reached by heading to the left. This path follows the river to Gibson Mill.

Just before the Mill are two sets of stepping stones. You can cross the river, walk along the opposite bank for a few minutes, then cross back to rejoin the path to the Mill.

A 'high path' can be reached by heading to the right. This path meanders through trees at a higher elevation before dropping down to join the estate track (the direct route to the Mill).

There are 25 miles of footpaths within the valley so there are plenty of opportunities to divert from the walks suggested above. The suggested 'low path' and 'high path' to/from Gibson Mill are amongst the most-trodden and best way-marked of the paths. They should be easy to find and follow although they can be muddy and slippery.

Gibson Mill is an award-winning, 'green' visitor centre incorporating Muddy Boots Cafe.

The visitor centre – once a cotton mill, then a dance hall, now a flagship environmental project – is powered by water turbines, solar panels and biomass (burning of sustainably-harvested wood from the surrounding valley).

The cafe serves drinks, freshly-prepared sandwiches, wholesome soups and delicious cakes.
There are also picnic areas and public toilets at the Mill.

Gibson Mill & Muddy Boots Cafe opening times:

(check www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-hardcastlecrags for confirmation)

WINTER (Nov-Feb inclusive): Sat & Sun, 11am-3pm

SPRING/SUMMER/AUTUMN (March-Oct incl): Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat & Sun, 11am-4pm

Also open on local SCHOOL HOLIDAYS incl Good Friday, Boxing Day and Bank Holiday Mondays (closed 25 Dec-1 Jan inclusive)

After a couple of minutes look for a turn in the path – it bends to the left and continues steeply down rough wood-and-earth steps.

At the bottom of the steps turn right. Go straight on until you see the millpond. Just before the pond, bear left and steeply downhill on a rough stone stairway.

On reaching the bottom of the valley turn left along a wide earth path; follow this through a metal gate and out of the woods beside the old Nutclough Tavern (now a housing co-operative).

Cross over the main (Keighley) Rd in front of you, turn left and then immediately take a sharp right onto Lees Rd which very soon becomes Foster Lane.

Look for No.24 on the right. Directly opposite it (on your left) is a flight of concrete steps. Go down these, follow the path around a block of flats and continue down a second set of concrete steps.

There is a children's playground directly in front of you.

Turn left along Victoria Rd, past Nutclough Mill and over Hebden Water. Just before Valley Funeral Services, turn left following signs to Purdy Pine then right onto a riverside path.

Walk along the river into the centre of town.

FROM TOWN:

From St George's Square walk uphill towards a red telephone box (on your left) and Jules' Pottery Shop (on your right).

Cross the main (Keighley) Rd at the pedestrian crossing, turn right then immediately left onto Birchcliffe Rd.

Look for Stubbing's School on the right; take the stone steps just to the left of the school.

Follow the narrow cobbled alley steeply uphill past terraced houses to your right and small, private gardens to your left.

After the gardens there's a gap in the fence on the left – take the path through here and continue onto a small private terrace – this is Alexandra Rd (public access on foot is fine!).

Reaching the end of Alexandra Rd you'll see the gates to the Birchcliffe Centre directly ahead.

You're home.

5. HEPTONSTALL: a circular walk of around 2 (steep) miles
Beware! Steep cobbled paths can be very slippery when wet

Going:

Start at The Swan (pub) in the centre of HB.

Cross the Packhorse Bridge, go past the Hole Int' Wall (another pub) and straight ahead you'll see a very steep (uphill) cobbled path. This is the 'Buttress'.

Walk up the Buttress, which used to be the main road between Hebden and Heptonstall, when Hebden was little more than a marshy waste with a bridge, inn and coach-house.

At the top of the Buttress, after catching your breath, turn right and walk along the road for c.100m.

Turn left onto a footpath of steps and stone flags, climbing through trees (you will also use this path on the descent back to Hebden later).

At the top turn right and walk along the road until it turns into cobbles; you are now in Heptonstall.

A few things to see and do in Heptonstall:

As you enter the village there's a tea-shop on the right. Follow the cobbled road as it bends to the right and there's a post office with small shop on the left, then a little further along there are two pubs, which serve food.

Or, pass the tea-shop but don't follow the cobbled road as far as the post office; instead walk straight ahead onto Church Lane, which is a narrow, unmade road/path with a yellow 'waymarked trail' sign and a blue 'museum' sign.

Follow Church Lane as it bends left then turn right up a few steps. From here you can go left to Heptonstall's two churches or right to the museum.

If you go left you will first reach the remains of the old church, dating from 1256. Ancient graves are densely packed in the churchyard. Walk amongst them deciphering inscriptions on moss-covered stones, then head for the path leading around the tower of the 'new' church (1850; Victorian Gothic).

Historical information is available in the new church and relics from the old church can be viewed here.

Leave the churchyard by the South Gate (furthest away from the old church), cross a narrow lane and pass through a second gate into the new graveyard. The poet Sylvia Plath is buried here.

Returning to the Hostel:

Leave the village by retracing your steps downhill, to where Heptonstall's central cobbled street becomes tarmac. Follow the tarmac road for a couple of minutes then turn left onto the footpath of steps and stone flags that you used on the ascent, this time descending through the trees.

When the path meets a road turn right, walk along the road for less than 100m, then turn sharp left onto a rough lane (just past the '30mph' road signs).

Follow this path, taking the right-hand fork at Lee Holme (stay on the now-cobbled path).

Take another right-hand fork down towards the cricket ground and river; cross the bridge over Hebden Water and continue straight ahead, over a crossroads, and along Foster Lane until it meets the main (Keighley) road.

Cross the Keighley Road and bear slightly right, then take the small road on the left and walk uphill with Eiffel Buildings (a tall terrace) on your left.

At the T-junction turn left. This is Birchcliffe Road and we are a little further up the hill on the left.

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