Walks you can reach from New Pudsey by train

Todmorden Station to Hebden Bridge Station (Lancashire)

30m direct from New Pudsey.

A very enjoyable, direct and straightforward canal walk, almost entirely along the Rochdale Canal towpath following national cycle route 66. The terrain is nearly all level with a mostly gravel surface, though bridges and slopes past locks have cobbles and canal overflows run over cobbles across the towpath in several places. Tree cover gives a green-tunnel feel. Follows national cycle route 66 along the Rochdale Canal. Canalside interest: locks, houseboats, mileposts and stone bridges.

Easy: 7km, moderate ascents.

Canal overflows run over cobbles across the towpath in several places, with a raised plank alongside to keep feet dry.

Lunch: Refreshment opportunities along the canalside towards Hebden Bridge.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Bradford Interchange Station to Horsforth Station (Yorkshire)

8m direct from New Pudsey.

Tough: steep ascents. 12km.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Todmorden Station to Littleborough Station (Lancashire)

45m direct from New Pudsey.

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

Halifax Station to Bradford Interchange Station (Yorkshire)

8m direct from New Pudsey.

14km.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Brighouse Station to Bradford Interchange Station (Yorkshire)

8m direct from New Pudsey.

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

Horsforth Station to Leeds Station (Yorkshire)

9m direct from New Pudsey.

A route of three sections: quiet wooded pathways criss-crossing the railway, a tedious middle section of road walking beside a busy road, then a delightful ending through Burley Park and along the Leeds and Liverpool Canal towpath with the River Aire alongside and leading right to the station. Ends along the Leeds and Liverpool Canal towpath with the River Aire running parallel. Greener than many people expect for an urban route.

Easy: 9km, moderate ascents.

Some wooded sections would not feel appealing or safe walking alone at night, particularly for solo women; one long stretch beside the busy Queenswood Drive.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Morley Station to Leeds Station (Yorkshire)

9m direct from New Pudsey.

Great view of Leeds from the top of the rise. A mix of rural and urban with great views towards Leeds: downhill through Morley, residential streets, the last few fields before the city, then past White Rose, along a busy ring road, up to Beeston and a high ridge with a steep grassy drop to a footbridge over the M621, through Holbeck, a final canal- and riverside approach with steps up to the station. Plenty of steps and some uneven and steep footpaths.

Easy: 9km, moderate ascents.

Steps and some uneven, steep footpaths; a steep grassy bank drops to the M621 footbridge. A busy ring road to walk along by White Rose.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Hebden Bridge Station to Halifax Station (Yorkshire)

30m direct from New Pudsey.

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

Hebden Bridge Station to Sowerby Bridge Station (Yorkshire)

30m direct from New Pudsey.

This is a gorgeous experience. A largely flat, easy-to-follow route predominantly along an off-road shared-use cycle path (national cycle route 66), with sections of canal towpath and woodland alongside the railway and quiet roads. Mostly step-free with only slight inclines; one short stretch on narrower busy-road pavements in Mytholmroyd. Some bridleway diversions are overgrown. Follows national cycle route 66 along the Rochdale Canal.

Easy: 9km, moderate ascents.

A short section of narrow pavement on a busier road in Mytholmroyd. A couple of tricksy points joining the canal and railside paths.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Leeds Station to Garforth Station (Yorkshire)

9m direct from New Pudsey.

A largely level route out of the city, starting along the River Aire and city-centre bridges, following National Cycle Route 66 through industrial estates, then skirting Temple Newsam park (the loveliest part, light woodland and grass), with a super-muddy section along Beech Walk and meandering paths through Millennium Wood before the village of Garforth. Mostly wide and weatherproof paths with two stiles; some hills; concrete-heavy around the Thorpe Park shopping centre. Generally follows National Cycle Route 66 with handy signposts; mostly off-road (80-90%). Crosses the A1(M) by footbridge; the Springs / Thorpe Park retail park has places to eat and drink mid-route.

12km. Moderate ascents.

A super-muddy section along Beech Walk near North Plantation; two stiles; a diversion is needed just before Thorpe Park (easy reroute via a short stretch of bridleway); the section south of Halton Moor needs care.

Lunch: Places to eat and drink at the Thorpe Park / Springs retail park mid-route.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Halifax Station to Brighouse Station (Yorkshire)

30m direct from New Pudsey.

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)

45m direct from New Pudsey.

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