Walks you can reach from Hebden Bridge by train

Todmorden Station to Littleborough Station (Lancashire)

5m direct from Hebden Bridge.

The scenery was very pretty. Almost entirely along the Rochdale Canal towpath, crossing the Pennine summit, on pretty Millstone Grit bridges and lock walls. The towpath has puddles and a few cobbled, cambered or planked sections, plus a wooded and muddy final stretch to Todmorden station. Follows the Rochdale Canal (including its summit) and is part of the National Cycle Network. Waterfalls tumble down the hills either side of the canal; an air vent for the railway Summit Tunnel can be spotted.

Easy: 9km, moderate ascents.

One tricky stretch of towpath under the A58 Halifax Road and up the side of Durn Lock is cambered, sloping and cobbled. The wooded final section to Todmorden station can be muddy with planks across it.

Lunch stop: the Summit Inn.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Sowerby Bridge Station to Halifax Station (Yorkshire)

7m direct from Hebden Bridge.

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 (Yorkshire)

15m direct from Hebden Bridge.

14km.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Halifax Station to Brighouse Station (Yorkshire)

15m direct from Hebden Bridge.

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

Rochdale Station to Littleborough Station (Lancashire)

15m direct from Hebden Bridge.

excellent views across the Pennines. A direct, mostly traffic-free canal walk: a short stretch of main road and degraded-tarmac path, then over 60% along the Rochdale Canal towpath running alongside the railway. The Sustrans path can be muddy and slightly overgrown and a few steps and a fairly steep slope lead down to the canal. Follows the Rochdale Canal and National Cycle Network Route 66. Smithy Bridge station is near the route, so it can be shortened. Clegg Hall, a restored old manor house with a row of old weavers' cottages, sits on the opposite bank.

Easy: 6km, moderate ascents.

The Sustrans path can be muddy and overgrown, so good shoes and nettle protection are advised. A few steps at the canal access point mean it is not step-free.

Littleborough is a pleasant market town with plenty of cafes.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Huddersfield Station to Brighouse Station (Yorkshire)

15m direct from Hebden Bridge.

An undulating walk with a fair amount of climbing and descending over fields, woodland and housing-estate pavements, with a long, relentless downhill into Rastrick. Includes a few steps, one stile and rough ground and tree roots; some paths through Upper Fell Greave are hard to follow. Ends along the Aire and Calder Navigation. There are benches at the square by the Brighouse bus station meeting point.

Tough: steep ascents. 8km.

Several roads to cross, including a dual carriageway (Fixby Road, which has central refuges). A path on the right of way line up the hill is barely evident and must be improvised.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Littleborough Station to Marsden Station (Lancashire)

15m direct from Hebden Bridge.

Tough: steep ascents. 16km.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Brighouse Station to Mirfield Station (Yorkshire)

15m direct from Hebden Bridge.

Easy: 8km, moderate ascents.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Brighouse Station to Bradford Interchange Station (Yorkshire)

15m direct from Hebden Bridge.

A varied route through south Bradford, a village and across countryside into Brighouse. The southern end is good; the rest is rather relentless. A riverside path gets very muddy in winter and there are some stiles. Passes through the village of Wyke.

12km. Moderate ascents.

The area north of Rooley Avenue is fenced off, blocking the route as plotted, with safety concerns at the road crossing (a pelican crossing lies further east). One stile is a bit unsturdy; the riverside path gets very muddy in winter.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Bradford Interchange Station to Horsforth Station (Yorkshire)

30m direct from Hebden Bridge.

Tough: steep ascents. 12km.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Shipley Station to Bradford Interchange Station (Yorkshire)

30m direct from Hebden Bridge.

fantastic view over Bradford. A varied, interesting and fairly direct route, mostly away from busy roads, combining wildflower-meadow field paths, the Sustrans Route 66 cycle track, a steep climb to Bolton Woods with great views over Bradford, woodland through Boars Well Urban Nature Reserve and city-centre streets with steps behind the cathedral. Several steep descents; paths can be overgrown and a little muddy. Close to Sustrans Cycleway Route 66; the Bradford-to-Shipley section is almost identical to the Yorkshire Heritage Way. Passes Boars Well Urban Nature Reserve.

6km.

Steep descents and steps. Several path entrances are overgrown and easily missed; some fly-tipping; a fenced-off section near new housing requires going around a locked gate. Steep, rough scrubland descent near Primrose Lane. Can be muddy.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Mirfield Station to Dewsbury Station (Yorkshire)

30m direct from Hebden Bridge.

An easy, mostly level route along the Calder and Hebble Navigation canal and the River Calder and with riverside views and wildlife. Not suitable for those with mobility issues.

Easy: 6km, moderate ascents.

Near Dewsbury, where the canal forks from the river, the riverside path is marked 'No Admittance' and barriered, though an opening has been cut.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route