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GENTLE WALKING
CANAL PATH TO MYTHOLMROYD
This walk follows the towpath all the way, either getting a return bus to Hebden Bridge or coming back using one of the routes in the Fallingroyd gentle walk.
Length and time
1¼ miles; 1 hour
Gradients – how strenuous
You have to go up a short incline and down another
Terrain – how uneven
The towpath has a good even surface, but pools of water can form after rain.
Obstacles – stiles, steps etc.
Crossing the main road at Walkleys Mill is a bit hair-raising. Free range geese on the towpath can be a bit intimidating, but just hiss back and wave your arms about (they really are more scared of you!)
Facilities
There are public toilets and eateries at Hebden Bridge and Mytholmroyd.
Points of interest
Look out for the plentiful water fowl and the very occasional kingfisher as you walk. It is difficult not to stop and watch canal boats negotiate the locks.
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DIRECTIONS
Start at the Memorial Gardens on the main road in Hebden Bridge. Cross over the canal bridge and go down the slope to the right to reach the canal tow path, where you double back on yourself.
Walk along the canal, passing a mill called Machpelah Works and go under a bridge. Here you will see the permanent community of boat dwellers with their carefully tended gardens and decorated huts.
Mayroyd Moorings
Enjoy Mayroyd Mill Lock No. 8 and the converted Mayroyd Mill and lock keepers' cottages alongside. The numbers on the wall alongside the tow path represent competitive fishing positions.
Where the river comes close on the right, look at the tunnel safety advice on the left of the canal. At the tunnel entrance go gently uphill to meet the main A646 road. It is necessary to cross this road - please cross with care, cars don't usually slow down.
On the far side of the road, rejoin the tow path opposite the mill which housed Walkleys Clogs, once a honey-pot tourist attraction and now awaiting development.
A short distance along the towpath you reach Broadbottom Lock No. 7 (down a short incline here). Check out the gorilla sculpture here.
Broadbottom lock
Go under bridge 13 and you pass a smallholding on the left with its interesting collection of livestock.
After going under bridge 12 you pass a new housing development on the right and at bridge 11, you can go up the steps where there is a handrail and turn right to reach the centre of Mytholmroyd. Better still; carry on for an interesting short detour.
The canal bends round to the right revealing a tunnel under the main road. Go through this and about 30 yards further on, come off the tow path, doubling back along an access road to the Caldene industrial estate which was formerly used for making woollen blankets until overtaken by duvets. Make sure you look back at the tunnel that you have just come through.
The wonderful collection of dwellings built over the canal tunnel.
Turn left down the main road into the centre of Mytholmroyd where you will find several pubs and cafes (watch out for the walkers are Welcome signs – they won't mind if your shoes are a bit muddy).
The return
Now you have four options:
- Take one of the many buses back to Hebden Bridge
- Retrace the route back along the towpath all the way to Hebden Bridge
- Retrace the route back along the towpath to Walkleys Mill and then use one of the routes in Fallingroyd gentle walk.
- If you are feeling good, you could keep going on the towpath to Luddendenfoot (another 1¼ miles, take the next exit after the bowling green) and get the bus back from there.
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