HEBDEN BRIDGE TO STOODLEY PIKE

Stoodley Pike from Hebden Bridge Station, through Crow Nest Woods and back by way of Horsehold. Two and a half to three hours

Throughout the route you will see these "Waymarked Trail" arrows. Follow the direction of the arrows.

As you leave Hebden Bridge railway station turn right - the car park is left. Go down the track to the road below and turn right under the railway bridge.

Continue straight on when the road bends round towards the Fairfield area of Hebden Bridge.

Almost straight away, you should take the turn right, pictured above. The Waymarked Trail arrow is there to indicate the direction.

After just a few metres, the path veers left. Walk up this path for a couple of hundred metres. The path then merges with another path which comes down from the woods to the left.

Walk for another 15 metres and take the path which goes left, indicated by the the Waymarked Trail arrow. Soon you will be walking parallel to the main Calder valley below; some fine views of Hebden Bridge can be seen to the right. Woodland is now on your left.

Go straight across the crossroads of paths pictured above.
The path is now narrower, with woodland on both sides.

Walk through the crockety wooden gate and into Crow Nest Woods. Note that this part of the walk is going to be very muddy after rainfall. The track is not clearly defined in the woods; it is easily covered with leaves. There is a the trusty Waymarked Trail arrow halfway.

If you do go astray in the woods, just remember the exit at the top is in the far corner. So if necessary, follow the top wall to the right as far as it goes, or follow the far wall to the top.

Looking back at Crow Nest Woods

Cross over the stone style on to New Road. The TV mast can be seen just to the left.

Don't turn either way on to New Road, but continue straight across into the open fields. The sign points to Pinnacle Lane and the path goes upwards, keeping to the left of the fields.

Looking back you will see that you are now level with Heptonstall Church, Old Town and the top of the TV mast. Towards the top of the fields, Stoodley Pike finally comes into view.

Although the next wooden signpost points straight on to Stoodley Pike, our path is a left turn, clearly indicated by the Waymarked Trail arrow.

After a further 150 metres, turn right on to Kilnshaw Lane
at the crossroads pictured above

Continue along the long, straight Kilnshaw Lane past Erringden Grange (above) on your right and wild moorland to your left. Sheep and dry stone walls abound in every direction.

After walking for a further 10-15 minutes, you will pass Kilnshaw Farm. It's getting nearer. Another 10-15 minutes will bring you to the last buildings on the road at Swillington.

Turn left and follow the path to the Pike. You are now on the Pennine Way.

From Stoodley Pike back to Hebden Bridge

Return along the same path until you reach the signpost above once more, and retrace your tracks along Kilnshaw Road for about 200 metres.

Two Waymarked Trail arrows indicate the turn left, following the Pennine Bridleway. Just over halfway along this track make a right turn, keeping with the Pennine Bridleway.

This path is muddy at times but otherwises delightfully grassy underfoot. A welcome change. After a quarter of an hour, walk left into a field and an initially, gravel path. Notice the stream to the left which soon becomes a rich wooded valley.

You will pass the bridge and signpost above. Don't cross the bridge but continue along the path towards Hebden Bridge.

Eventually there is a gate which leads to the Horsehold Road, at first cobbled and then tarmaced. Hebden Bridge soon comes into sight.

Follow the road back down into Hebden Bridge. The road from Horsehold meets the main A646 in Hebden at the Coop supermarket. If you wish to return to the station, take the towpath along the Rochdale Canal for ten minutes until the end of Calder Holmes Park, and turn right up to the station.