The days may be getting shorter, but there are still plenty of opportunities to get out and about in the Calderdale countryside, with new guides featuring inspiring routes for all abilities, across the borough.
Calderdale boasts an extensive network of rights of way, with around two thousand footpaths, bridleways and other routes, totalling around 850 miles.
One of the most notable of these is the Calderdale Way, a 50-mile walking route that encircles Halifax, Hebden Bridge and Todmorden. It follows old packhorse routes, passing through pretty hillside villages and old mill towns, providing exceptional panoramic views over the Pennines.
A new film(external link) from Visit Calderdale offers insight into the beautiful scenery that can be found along the route. Many routes are easily accessible on public transport and new information boards now in place, or due to be installed at the following locations:
- Brighouse Railway Station.
- The Last Post pub, Ripponden.
- Withens Clough Reservoir car park
- Todmorden Railway Station.
- Heptonstall Parish Council noticeboard
- Midgehole Working Men’s Club.
- Mytholmroyd Railway Station.
- Jerusalem Farm car park.
- Mixenden Activity Centre (to be installed in November)
- Norwood Green village green (to be installed in November)
The boards show how the route can be broken down into sections and places of interest along the way. They also include a number of link routes, showing additional walks to connect with towns or attractions off the Calderdale Way, as well as nearby shorter circular routes to cater for all fitness levels and abilities.
To provide further inspiration, Visit Calderdale has created a five-day itinerary, including points of interest and hospitality businesses / facilities along the way. Head to The Calderdale Way | Visit Calderdale(external link) when planning your trip.
Calderdale Council has also been working with the local organisation Little Legs, to support the creation of numerous child-friendly walking routes across Calderdale, many of which are on or close to the Calderdale Way. Visit https://littlelegs.org/#walk(external link) to find out more.
The project has received funding from Active Calderdale, a Sport England place partner, with cooperation from the Community Rights of Way Service (CROWS) – a community group working to keep the local routes accessible and attractive, including keeping public footpaths clear for walkers in Calderdale.
Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Transport, Cllr Sarah Courtney, said:
“Calderdale is blessed with beautiful scenery and an abundance of fantastic walking routes for all abilities. Celebrating our distinctive heritage and nature is part of our Vision 2034 for the borough and we want to make it as easy as possible for people to be able to explore and get out and about around Calderdale.
“The new film and walking guides from Visit Calderdale show how the Calderdale Way can be explored by everyone, either as a five-day challenge for serious hikers, or as shorter routes, even including family-friendly options for little ones.
“There are plenty of places of interest, as well as great eating and drinking options at local businesses along the way, so whether you’re local or travelling from further afield, why not make a break of it and enjoy all that Calderdale has to offer?”
Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health, Cllr Tim Swift, said:
“Active Calderdale is proud to have supported this project through funding the interpretation boards and supporting the film. It’s a great example of how movement can be woven into everyday life, helping residents enjoy and explore our green spaces.
“Thanks to collaboration with CROWS and local landowners, we’re excited to see this grow – and we encourage everyone to get out, get moving, and make the most of these fantastic outdoor spaces.”
For more information about the Calderdale Way, as well as other walking routes and further attractions and things to do in Calderdale, visit www.visitcalderdale.com(external link)
To find out more about the Active Calderdale mission, visit active.calderdale.gov.uk/(external link).
Vision 34 is a shared, long-term ambition to work towards over the next 10 years to make Calderdale a better place for everyone, based on the stories that unite us.
The Vision 34 themes are enterprising, opportunity, kind, welcoming, hope, heritage, nature and creativity. Through these themes, organisations and people from all walks of life are encouraged to share their positive stories about life in Calderdale.
Share your story on the My Calderdale Story(external link) website.
ENDS