Updated 13/03/2024
Length and time 2 miles (3½ km). Should take you about 1½ hours. Highlights The clapper bridge at Hebble End is a place to spend time by the stream (ideally with a picnic). You will be walking on some of the best examples of ancient causey stone paths. Gradients There is a short steep drop into Colden Clough, with some relatively gentle inclines. Terrain The route is all on good paths often with causey stones. Obstacles There is a steep set of uneven steps and several stiles on the route. One section of the route is very rocky. Facilities There are two pubs, a small shop and a café in Heptonstall. Why not download a free e-trail audio-visual guide for this section that describes the history and usage of Packhorses on your route? Search your app store for Pennine Horizons. Bus access to the route To Blackshaw Head 596, from Heptonstall 596 to Hebden Bridge or back to Blackshaw.
1. From the end of section 7 at Blackshaw Head, cross the road to your right and go through a step stile. Follow a grassy partly-paved path half-right across several fields and stiles, until you reach a walled track; turn left down the track to Shaw Bottom House and continue down a tarmac lane to a T-junction
Turning left for 200 metres will lead you to the New Delight pub and buses to Heptonstall and Hebden Bridge.
2. Turn right along a track passing Hudson Mill below. Descend the steps off to the left to a picnic spot by Hebble Hole clapper bridge where the Pennine Way appears from the right.
3. Cross the bridge and go up the paved path. Keep right where the Pennine Way goes off to the left. Follow the paved path to a stone step-stile at the top corner of Foster Wood.
4. Cross the field on causey stones, go through a stile and turn right along a wall, then follow a causey path across several stiles and fields with the wall on your left.
5. The paved path joins a wider path and at a T-junction you turn left. Turn right at another T junction and pass behind a house called Pike Stone Bank.
6. Continue along the paved path to a stile where five routes meet. Go straight ahead along the wide track (slightly down hill, then level) on to the tarmac road where you turn left uphill.
7. Just beyond an electricity pole, before the road bears left, go through a gap in the right-hand wall. Follow the path through Eaves Wood watching for a sign where the route turns left.
8. A clamber over rocks leads to a level path above the wood with a wall to your left.
9. At a T junction the path is joined by steps coming up from Hell Hole Rocks – a good place to stop to admire the view. Turn left here and go between walls, across two housing estate access roads, to the church of Heptonstall, and a group of cottages, West Laithe (1790). Bear left, pass Chantry House, go up steps to the old church. On the right is a museum in the old grammar school and on the left, as the path enters Towngate (SD98728l), is the old Cloth Hall.
If you have time, Heptonstall is really worth an explore. Either download the e-trail audio visual guide (info above) or buy a booklet in the local Post Office.