Bronte Round 23 miles

Anytime Challenge Walk by Derek Magnall

First Stage 10 miles

The walk leaves the car park at Bridgegate, Hebden Bridge GR 992273. Truning left by the Shoulder of Mutton. Over the road bridge, turn right and continue along Valley Road, continuing along Victoria Road turn right Windsor Road. Turn left at telephone box continue along road crossing Hebden Water via pack horse bridge. Turn right along path at the side of Hebden Water. Passing cricket club and bowling club on your left. Joining wide track, continue along wide track climbing steadily up hill to your left. Ignore track on your right. Continue along wide track until you reach farm. Turn left then immediately right climbing steps which is walled both sides. At of the steps turn right along wide track, wall now on your right, when wall turns right you turn right and follow path down Hebden Water and Midgeholes. Turn right over bridge GR 988291. Passing cottage on your left. Turn left at the post box (which in the wall) follow wide track. Keeping left along wide track with Hebden Water below.

Passing through Foul Scout Wood then passing Hardcaste Crags and through Walshaw Wood to Walshaw GR 974314. Through gate on your right signpost public path. Follow track which climbs steadily for about 1/2 mile before passing through gate in the wall which is on your left. Now continue wall now on your right making your way round Shackleton Knoll until you reach a sign saying footpath. Go over the stone stile and make your way down to the far  bottom corner (ruined farm). Join wide track going left passing through three gates to T-Junction GR 995325. Turn left follow minor road climbing steadily. Road then becomes a wide track, go through gate continue along track to top of stairs. Dropping through gate bearing left then right wall on your left. Through another gate, walls on sides. Dropping down Boodkin Lane around dam of Leeshaw reservoir GR 015351. Continue to Moorside. Turn left up Moorside Lane. Turn right after car park and toilets follow path over Pennistone Hill Park. Follow signpost Information Centre. At next signpost turn left signpost, says Top Withins 3 miles GR 019364

At this stage you may continue straight ahead Haworth 1 mile.

Second Stage 13 miles

Continue along path signpost Top Withins 3 miles GR 019364 passing another signpost Top Withins 2 1/2 miles. Dropping down wide track turn left through gate. Along wide track Bronte bridge “Bronte falls on left” cross Bronte bridge climb hillside taking path to your left marked Withins. Continue along to Top Withins GR 982355. Passing Top Withins continue along Pennine way over Withins Height to Middle Walshaw Dean reservoir continue along Pennine way crossing dam of Middle Walshaw Dean reservoir. Now on wide track, Lower Walshaw Dean reservoir on your left. After 1 mile take track which bears the left for 50 yds. Go through wooden gate on right which is in fencing. Follow path crossing two fields to Pack Horse Inn (white building) GR 952317. Turn right along road 1/4 mile. Turn left through gate (just before cottage). Path walled both sides through gate turn left follow path through another gate. Carry on along path (ignore Path going down to the stream) continue along path wall on your left (Graining Water below on your right). Make your way to Blake Dean by following track. Join road on Z-bend walk road to bridge GR 958314.

Take path on your left before crossing road bridge follow path down crossing stream (Hebden Water) by footbridge. Turn right follow path at the side of Hebden Water (ignoring any path which climbs away from Hebden Water). Continue along path for at least 3 miles crossing Hebden Water when necessary by footbridges untill you reach Midge Hole. Then continue rest of the walk to Hebden Bridge via the same route as at the beginning of the walk.

Map Required Ordnance Survey Outdoor Leisure Map 1.25000 South Pennines

Accommodation youth hostel Haworth & Mankinholes, camping Hebden Bridge, Bed and Breakfast Hebden Bridge & Haworth.

The walk can be done in a day or over a period of a few days. There is no time limit. Certificates and badges are available to anyone successfully completing the walk

Hope you enjoy yourself. Please remember the country code. The recorder will not be responsible for any liability.