Members present:  Christine Beeston, Caroline Gay, Dave Shotton, Dave Wylie

Joined at the teashop by: Kate Harvey, Pete Attwood and lovely baby Daisy

Top marks to all walkers for taking the train!  The 0857 from Manchester Victoria was on time, so we met Dave Wylie at Hebden Bridge Station and headed for Heptonstall, via some long steep steps out of Hebden and a nice traverse through woodland.  Then we walked down towards Midgehole, then along by the river in Hebden Dale to Gibson Mill, where we had elevenses.  We took a short detour to explore Hardcastle Crags, managing to find a mini scramble descent back to the path.  The next section headed over Wadsworth Moor, meeting many runners on the “Wadsworth Trog”, a 19.3mile /31km fell race organised by Calder Valley Fell Runners.  Just above Walshaw Dean reservoir, with the last few troggers (slower but more cheery than the leaders!) jogging past, we joined the Pennine Way, and headed up and over the moor to Top Withins.  The sun came out, there was even a respectable amount of blue sky!

Lunch at Top Withins was perishing cold, so we ate up quickly and set off again, past Bronte Bridge, where things got busier with day walkers out from Haworth.  We passed a few clusters of rocks not immediately realising they represented books – a sculpture called “Literary Landscapes” by Martin Heron.  Eventually we descended into Haworth, bustling with tourists and packed with teashops and gift shops.  Tea and cake with Kate, Pete and Daisy nicely finished off the day – and a rather slow bus ride back to Hebden Station.

Thanks to those who came along, and if you’ve not walked in this area do give it a go – the train and bus links are really good, and the teashops are excellent.

Christine

This will be a linear walk from Hebden Bridge to Haworth, returning by bus.  Approx 19km/12m (depending where you start).  Hoping for a teashop stop at the end, depending on when we arrive at Haworth.  It's a nice mixture of wooded river valley and moorland.

I'm planning to get the train from Manchester Victoria to Hebden Bridge - the 0857 arrives at 0925.   £8.80 return.

Meet at Hebden Bridge Train station at 09:30 - there is a carpark just before the station carpark, 50p/hour, cash or the "apcoa connect" app.

We'll walk up to Heptonstall and then down towards Midgehole and New Bridge (carpark here if you want to meet later and avoid Heptonstall).  Then along Hebden Dale by the river to elevenses at Gibson Mill.  From the mill we'll walk past Hardcastle Crags and up to Walshaw, then over Wadsworth Moor to Walshaw Dean reservoir.  Then we follow the Pennine Way to Top Withens (lunch stop) and reach Howarth via Bronte Bridge, the Millenium Way and Penistone Hill country park.

The B3 bus leaves Howarth Sun Street stop hourly at 19 minutes past the hour and costs £2, this links quite well with trains back to Manchester.

Hope you can make it!  Let me know if you're driving and can share lifts, or if you want to meet at Gibson Mill for a shorter walk.  

Christine