Monday 16 May 2011

320 June Walks from Hebden Bridge

Our next walks venue will be  in the Upper Calder Valley of West Yorkshire from
Hebden Bridge
on 
Saturday 11th June 2011
0800hrs prompt from the Short Stay Car Park

Dehydration can be a serious problem in warmer months leading to loss of energy, loss of alertness, aching joints and being a liability to your fellow walkers. Please ensure that you have a plentiful supply of drinking water [cordial]. 2 litres is recommended.


We last visited Hebden Bridge in 1997 [November] so it will be a new area for many and a welcome return for the rest.
This beautiful old town grew up close to the River Hebden at the point where a stone bridge was built as part of a pack-horse route in the 16th century.

By the time of the 18th century Hebden Bridge had become a noted centre for weaving. Stone cottages appeared, these were especially built for weavers with wider than usual windows to allow for the maximum of light. In the 18th century it was commonplace for many workers in the textile industry to work at home, and it was only at the latter end of the century that mills began to be established in the town, bringing with them a much needed prosperity. You only have to cast your eye's above the crowded shop windows of the main streets, to note the flurry of building work which took place once more money was available. Some of these fine properties still show the lovely facades of yester-year.

In the town is the Robin Hood, a coaching inn from the 17th century. The inn retains much of its earlier character, and is believed to have an old well from which St.Thomas a Becket took a cup of water.

This is Bronte country where the terrain is of deep sided valley's and glens lying beneath lonely moors were visitors can see golden gorse, bracken and heather. A wealth of wildlife saunters the moors, grouse, pheasant, partridge, and the inevitable fox. In the skies above you might be lucky and catch sight of Kite or Eagle.

At Hebden Water, a few miles from Hebden Bridge is an area known as the "Crags" here, miles of footpaths take you on a nature trail of the areas natural and archaeological history, passing through dense woodland, alive with oak, ash, beech, and pine. In springtime these lofty trees spread their branches over a carpet of vibrant gently nodding bluebells who contrast sharply with the tawny autumnal shades to come.

In the 19th century dams and weirs on Hebden Water controlled the water supply to mills like Gibson Mill. A three storey building of the early 18th century, this was one of the first mills of the Industrial Revolution. It has recently been restored and brought back to life as an interesting visitors centre by the National Trust. The mill offers hands on exhibitions and gives you the opportunity to learn of the people who toiled here for up to 72 hours a week, and often for very little reward.

Before the restoration programme for Gibson Mill commenced it was used by the community of Hebden Bridge as a venue for part of their annual Christmas celebrations. A delightful late afternoon walk through beautiful countryside to Gibson Mill was followed by a candle-lit carol service, warming punch and mince pies. The noisy return journey led by wassailers with lantern transformed the woods into a starry "fairy glen". With the completion of the project it is hoped the Wassailers walk to Gibson Mill will be re-introduced. Interestingly, the mill was used as a setting for scenes in the recent production of Nicholas Nickleby.

A local tradition here is the ancient "pace-egg play" this takes place each Good Friday when a colourful procession parades through the streets.

The visitor here is thrice blest, you have the joy of a lovely old town, the pleasures of spectacular countryside and the nearness of Halifax, a town full of lovely buildings and noted landmarks.


There will be three walks as normal;
Details of the walks will be added as soon as they become available, but by Saturday 4th June


More photos of the town

A Walk at Hebden Bridge

Walk Leader: Steve Edwards
Distance: 10.1 miles
Total Ascent: 1578ft

A Walk Route Map
Route Elevation
 Click on pictures to enlarge

This walk starts from Hebden Bridge and climbs onto the moors to visit Stoodley Pike with its imposing monument well known to Pennine Way walkers as it dominates the landscape and can be see for miles around.

The route includes sections of the Pennine Way and gives us a view into the industrial heritage of this area, it is easy walking but can be challenging if wet under foot.

We walk out of Hebden Bridge with its attractive terraced houses and variety of shops, cross the Rochdale Canal and follow the towpath west over the River Calder to turn left up some steps to a road.

A path takes us steadily up hill through fields to reach Pinnacle Lane which we follow south to reach the Pennine Way eventually reaching the monument on Stoodley Pike.

Leaving the monument we walk south along a clear path (well actually not that clear!!) that follows the edge of the escarpment and down to the dam of Withens Clough Reservoir.

We now follow a tarmac track as it climbs gently continuing on past High Green and then cut across the moorland to Keelham contouring across Bell House Moor negotiating some wet sections on the way. (tuffy grass so be careful of your ankles)

Down a walled lane to Daisy Bank then just after leaving a small area of woodland we turn left over a stile and cross fields to reach a lane opposite some cottages. We turn left along this lane and continue to Wood Top. The path continues to rejoin the path where we started as we retrace our steps along the Rochdale Canal and back into the centre of Hebden Bridge for a well earned cuppa.


Although not a difficult walk, it is 10 miles long and therefore a good pace will need to be maintained to allow for a brew at the finish.

We also need to be aware of some boggy / tufty moor land sections.
 

B Walk at Hebden Bridge

Walk Leader: Joan Hilton, Shirley Fairnie
Distance: about 8 miles
Total Ascent/Descent:

 
Leaving the town the route takes us along the river to the  Old Packhorse Bridge at Salem. After crossing the bridge the way continues along the riverside path passing the Cricket Ground and Bowling Green before negotiating the first flight of old stone steps. The path rejoins Hebden water and continues through Hardcastle Crags to Gibson’s Mill. This mill was founded in 1800 as an early water powered cotton mill. It ceased operating in the 1890s becoming a dance hall and even a roller skating rink in the mid 20th century. The walk then ascends the second flight of old stone steps slowly!!!. Eventually we join a riverside path along Colden Water and make our way back to Hebden Bridge for a well earned cuppa. The coach can only stop to drop us off and pick us up later.It cannot park in the town.








 

C Walk at Hebden Bridge

Walk Leader: George Mann
Distance: 7 Miles
Total Ascent/Descent: 800ft


C Party Route [click to enlarge]



The "c" party walk is six and half miles of easy walking from Hebden Bridge on the canal footpath past Mytholmroyd to Brearley then on to Luddenden Foot before crossing over the river and joining a path alongside the railway that takes us back to into Mytholmroyd and from there past the old Clog Mill to Hebden Bridge Station and back into Town. An interesting walk past the old mills and canal locks with ducks geese and if you are lucky a heron fishing.









          
 

PHOTOGRAPHS TAKEN ON THE SEDBERGH WALKS

Go to Fell Club's Picassa Album

A Walk at Sedbergh 140511


Sedbergh Fell Club B Walk



Sedbergh C Party Walk May2011