September walks weekend 2025: Thursday 11th September — Hardcastle Craggs

Leader: Dave Miller

Reporter: Liz Prentice

Hebden Bridge. I'd never been there and wasn't even sure where it was (we don't live in Manchester). Finding it on the map wasn't very encouraging — it seemed to be in the middle of a very industrial area. So, I was pleasantly surprised to find such an interesting town surrounded by lovely hilly countryside.

The town's narrow streets and hillside setting don't make for easy parking or comfortable driving, so the walk started up at the picturesque village of Heptonstall. We had time for a quick look round: the ruined church, the Cloth Hall, Sylvia Plath's grave, an 'Ancient Lintol' (1578) etc, and then some sixteen people and four dogs set off west along the Calderdale Way.

We walked out on a precipitous path along a steep-sided valley with fine views, and then along stone-paved packhorse trails past weavers' cottages, and the weather was bright and breezy. Out on the open moorland it was a bit too breezy, but a hollow provided enough shelter to sit and eat our lunch, plus bonus Eccles cakes provided by Steve. The route came down through woodland into Hebden Dale by Hardcastle Crags (which I somehow failed to notice). During a brief stop at Gibson Mill, one of the party got bitten by an aggressive dog (on a lead) and was justifiably annoyed; this provided a talking point for the rest of the trip. Completing the walk, some of the group headed direct down to Hebden Bridge, while the rest went back up to see a bit more of historic Heptonstall, before having tea and cake at our campervan in the carpark.

So, a varied and interesting walk in a scenic new area, with surprisingly good weather. Thank you to Dave Miller for organising it.