Length and Time: 1 mile (1.3 km) / Approx 30 minutes walk
Obstacles: Steep route, cobbles and many steps which are very slippy when wet. However, there is a single handrail when ascending the cobbled path and when doing the steps.
Terrain: A steep gradient on a cobbled track, steep steps and road of 150 metres ascent.
Facilities: Plenty of shops, pubs and cafes in Hebden Bridge and a cafe, post office and pubs in Heptonstall.
Public transport: Hebden Bridge has frequent buses to / from and a regular train service. The railway station is approximately 5 minutes walk from the start of this walk.
Hebden Bridge to Heptonstall
1) Start at White Swan pub in central Hebden Bridge. Opposite the White Swan there is the old packhorse bridge. Walk over the bridge and cross the road the other side of the bridge to continue along the cobbles up the Buttress. This is an ancient packhorse route that ascends steeply towards Heptonstall.
2) Continue to the top of the Buttress which is steep and cobbled but does have a handrail on the right. At the top turn right onto Lee Wood Road for approximately 200 metres. Carefully cross the road (traffic can travel fast on this road bend) and ascend the steep stone steps.
3) At the top of the steps turn right to walk uphill towards Heptonstall village. At the bottom of the village the road becomes cobbled. Pass the Post Office on the left and to the right you will see The Cross pub. There is a road to the right of The Cross called Northgate. Follow Northgate past the ancient stone arch on left and Methodist chapel to right. Shortly after passing the sign to the Methodist chapel there is a that path goes down to the right. There is a wooded sign on the right side of the path that says Calderdale Way and there are spectacular views here over Hebden Bridge.
Heptonstall to Hebden Bridge
1) You will enter Heptonstall as the link path joins a narrow road opposite Northfield Terrace.
2) Turn left and continue for a few minutes until the road reaches the cobbled main road through Heptonstall next to the White Lion pub.
3) Turn left to descend towards Hebden Bridge and the cobbles turn to tarmac road. After a few minutes walk you will see stone steps descending steeply to the left.
4) Go down these steps and carefully cross the road at the bottom of them to turn right.
After a short time you will see a narrow steep cobbled track which is the old packhorse route from Heptonstall to Hebden Bridge. Follow this straight into the centre of Hebden Bridge.
