8th June 2014 - Hebden Dale & Colden Clough
Walk Details
Distance walked: 10.0 miles
Total ascent: 2165 ft
OS map used: OL21 - South Pennines
Time taken: 6.5 hrs
Route description: Heptonstall-Calderdale Way-Midgehole-Hollin Hall-Crimsworth Dean-Nook-Walshaw-Black Dean-Hebden Dale-Gibson Mill-Clough Hole Bridge-Mount Pleasant-Pennine Way-Colden-Jack Bridge-Hebble Hole Bridge-Colden Clough-Calderdale Way-Heptonstall
I really enjoyed this outing from Heptonstall on a fine summers day. A great variety of scenery with three different valleys visited and moorland crossings between them. I would thoroughly recommend it for a full days walk for a visitor to Heptonstall. The forecast was for a chance of afternoon showers but I got away with it. It was only when I had made it back to Heptonstall that the skies started to threaten and then it chucked it down when I drove back through Todmorden.
From the visitors car park in Heptonstall (it's at the southern end of the village) I walked into the village and took the Calderdale Way down to the NT car park at Midgehole. I then took the bridleway up Middle Dean, past Hollin Hall and up Crimsworth Dean. At the ruined farm of Nook I took the Calder/Aire link path across the moors to the hamlet of Walshaw. I continued on this path through the hamlet until I'd passed New Laithe Farm where I took a path down into Black Dean and across Alcomden Water to reach the Widdop Road. After a short road walk I followed the path down Hebden Dale to Gibson Mill. There was steep uphill path back to the Widdop Road to then cross the moors to Colden. Another short road walk to Jack Bridge and it was time to head into Colden Clough. I crossed the Hebble Hole clapper bridge and took the path down into the woods. I had to make my way back uphill though to reach the Calderdale Way back to Heptonstall.
Total ascent: 2165 ft
OS map used: OL21 - South Pennines
Time taken: 6.5 hrs
Route description: Heptonstall-Calderdale Way-Midgehole-Hollin Hall-Crimsworth Dean-Nook-Walshaw-Black Dean-Hebden Dale-Gibson Mill-Clough Hole Bridge-Mount Pleasant-Pennine Way-Colden-Jack Bridge-Hebble Hole Bridge-Colden Clough-Calderdale Way-Heptonstall
I really enjoyed this outing from Heptonstall on a fine summers day. A great variety of scenery with three different valleys visited and moorland crossings between them. I would thoroughly recommend it for a full days walk for a visitor to Heptonstall. The forecast was for a chance of afternoon showers but I got away with it. It was only when I had made it back to Heptonstall that the skies started to threaten and then it chucked it down when I drove back through Todmorden.
From the visitors car park in Heptonstall (it's at the southern end of the village) I walked into the village and took the Calderdale Way down to the NT car park at Midgehole. I then took the bridleway up Middle Dean, past Hollin Hall and up Crimsworth Dean. At the ruined farm of Nook I took the Calder/Aire link path across the moors to the hamlet of Walshaw. I continued on this path through the hamlet until I'd passed New Laithe Farm where I took a path down into Black Dean and across Alcomden Water to reach the Widdop Road. After a short road walk I followed the path down Hebden Dale to Gibson Mill. There was steep uphill path back to the Widdop Road to then cross the moors to Colden. Another short road walk to Jack Bridge and it was time to head into Colden Clough. I crossed the Hebble Hole clapper bridge and took the path down into the woods. I had to make my way back uphill though to reach the Calderdale Way back to Heptonstall.
Route map
© Crown copyright. All rights reserved. License number PU 100034184.
Walking up the cobbled main street of Heptonstall. The next time I'm here I'll have to have a better look around.
Hebden Bridge in the valley below as I leave Heptonstall behind
|
|
Down the track and across the road and after passing the NT car park at Midgehole on the track up Middle Dean past Hollin Hall
On the bridleway higher up the valley where it becomes Crimsworth Dean
Abel Cross. Thought to mark the route of a medieval packhorse trail.
I've reached the ruined farm of Nook, as far up the valley as I'm going. Looking back down Crimsworth Dean.
and looking towards the head of Crimsworth Dean. This track continues as the Calder/Aire link across the moors to Oxenhope near Haworth.
On the Calder/Aire link path across to Hebden Dale
Hebden Dale and the Widdop Moors come into view
On the track to Walshaw
In the hillside hamlet of Walshaw. My route continues on the track to the right.
Just past Walshaw and there's a great view up and down the valley of Hebden Dale..
On the track up the valley and just past New Laithe Farm ahead I'll take the path down the hillside into Black Dean
Black Dean, the uppermost part of the valley of Hebden Water and my lunch spot. Most pleasant it was too, sat in the warm sunshine with the skylarks and curlews singing. A little way upstream the valley splits with Graining Water going left and Alcomden Water going right.
|
|
The footbridge over Alcomden Water and Alcomden Water from the footbridge
Graining Water from the road bridge over the valley. I have a short road walk to reach the path down into Hebden Dale.
Looking back at Black Dean from the path down into Hebden Dale
|
|
The path starts at the top of the woodland and then heads downhill..
..to run beside Hebden Water..
The National Trust property of Gibson Mill. My cue to head uphill and across to Colden.
Leaving Hebden Dale behind
The hamlet of Colden and Colden Clough
Heading down through Colden to Jack Bridge to pick up the Calderdale Way
Hebble Hole Bridge. Carrying the Pennine Way and Calderdale Way across Colden Water.
The Calderdale Way continues uphill and along the hillside above the valley but I'm going to follow a path down and through the woods in Colden Clough and pick it up again later on.
|
|
In the woods of Colden Clough. Colden Water is hard to see at times but every so often the path is close enough to catch a glimpse.
Up a steep path and I'm above Colden Clough
and back on the Calderdale Way to Heptonstall
The final couple of shots from craggy outcrops at the top of the slope outside Heptonstall. Looking across Calderdale to Stoodley Pike..
..and up Colden Clough.