Best walks to or from Halifax

Sowerby Bridge Station to Halifax Station

lovely views; quite glorious on a sunny summer afternoon. An alternative Sowerby Bridge to Halifax route on roads, pavements, grass and cobbles, with some steps and a short section of narrow earth footpath. It crosses Crow Wood park and takes a tree-lined route via Savile Park, avoiding the steep climb up Washer Lane; steep in places and especially at the Sowerby Bridge end. Passes the Wainhouse Tower folly, Savile Park common and the restored Piece Hall. Recommended in the Halifax to Sowerby Bridge direction, as the reverse has considerably more climb.

Tough: steep ascents. 5km.

The descent into Sowerby Bridge is steep and along a busy road; the route is steep and slightly rough underfoot in places. Cross the railway via the station subway at Sowerby Bridge.

Lunch: Plentiful refreshments along the main road into Sowerby Bridge.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Halifax Station to Bradford Interchange Station

14km.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Halifax Station to Brighouse Station

some cracking views from the tops. A walk with some pleasant sections (Cromwell Wood and the canalside Calder Valley Greenway) but many awkward parts: several staircases, overgrown and dingy sections, very narrow squeezes and stretches across fields where the path is hard to determine.

Tough: steep ascents. 7km.

Several main roads must be crossed without crossings, including Church Street/South Parade in Halifax. A bridge from Lilly Lane leads to a long uneven staircase into a narrow tunnel with broken glass that felt unsafe; an overgrown, dingy path along Hebble Brook is a graffiti hotspot and can be impassable after rain.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Hebden Bridge Station to Halifax Station

fine hilltop views surprisingly close to Halifax. An interesting, varied walk of contrasts: tranquil canalside towpath, fine hilltop views surprisingly close to Halifax and a two-mile straight stretch of road through suburbs. A couple of points need care to stay on route. Passes the former Duke of Wellington's barracks and ends near a full-size replica of the Halifax Gibbet.

Tough: steep ascents. 11km.

At bridge No.7 over the Rochdale Canal a large metal gate is chained up and not easy to climb, with no footpath signs; a small detour may be needed to walk round Shepherd House. The tricky housing-estate section and the chained bridge can both be avoided by staying on the canal a further 0.5km to Luddendenfoot.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route