Sunday, 6 April 2025

Hebden Bridge

 Only an hour each way on a direct train from Garforth to Hebden Bridge.

A circular walk from the Station, along the canal side, through woodland, across open fields along the river bank, up and down a big old hill, and finishing with a walk through town and into a pub.




The Canal




Uphill through the trees





Onto the open fields


Down the hill to the river




A weird structure on the riverside.

The Bridge at Hebden

On the way to the station, first the canal.



And then the River


And then back to a quaint old station















Marsden - Wessenden Valley

 A linear walk from Marsden railway station.



This walk is partly in the Peak District National Park, and follows the Kirklees Way and Pennine Way.  It is through the National Trust’s Marston Moor estate.  The walk links the four reservoirs of Wessenden Valley: Butterley, Blakeley, Wessenden and Wessenden Head. It was ominous that the reservoirs looked low at the end of March.


After a walk through town (passing the wonderful St Bartholomew's church, also known as the cathedral of the Colne Valley.  It’s well worth a visit), it’s time to walk up the steps to Butterley Reservoir.  These are probably the most taxing part of the walk - they go on for ages, and finish at the car park, so anyone driving misses them out.


Butterley Reservoir is probably the largest of the four.  The wide track is bordered by a wall most of the way.  






By the time the path reached Blakeley Reservoir, no buildings other than dams were in sight. 




There was a side path to the waterside rather than walking on the main track.  The path reaches a small bridge on the Pennine Way.  I should have taken this back up to the main track, but chose to stay at the side of the stream, then scramble up the slope closer to the third dam.







Next to the dam is Wessenden Lodge, which has a small herd of deer in their fields.



Wessenden, The path is on a continual slope along the side of the reservoir, with great panoramic views.




The section of the walk between Wessenden and Wessenden Head was the longest where the path was not next to a reservoir.




Wessenden Head is the final, and probably the smallest, reservoir.  And as the name suggests, this is the head of the valley in a bowl, with a steep rise up to the A635.  



There are very picturesque views down the valley from the dam.  



I tried the alternative path back down to Marsden, but abandoned it when the path became waterlogged - Great views.


And what's a walk without a strange sculpture!










Weeton Circular

 


A pleasant countryside circular stroll.  An initial climb out of Weeton, then a walk primarily on roads to the River Wharfe.  Then, following the river bank before returning to Weeton.


The only downside is the route crosses the busy A61 twice.


Throughout, there are views of the countryside north of Leeds.



This walk would be a wonderful summer stroll, when the trees have some foliage.


Some of the nicest parts of the walk are along the River Wharfe.


A sandy “Beach” near Netherby Deep - Great for a picnic



Old Wier near Harewood Bridge.



Rougemont Carr - the site of an old castle, and a lovely wood.





And a couple of very different bridges





Not Festering