Hebdon Bridge to Heptonstall Walk
This circular walk takes you from Hebdon Bridge to the nearby village of Heptonstall before exploring the area to the west of the settlements.
The route uses sections of the Rochdale Canal, the Calderdale Way and the Pennine Way to create a circular walk through the woods and countryside.
The walk starts at the train station in Hebden Bridge and follows the canal west through the town towards Hebble End. You then turn north to follow public footpaths north to Heptonstall passing Mytholm on the way. There's some interesting old buildings in the attractive village including the 16th century Stag Cottage and the ruined church which was founded in 1260.
After exploring the village the route picks up the Calderdale Way and follows it through the woodland trails in Eaves Wood before heading west through the Colden Clough. The pretty Colden Water runs through this area with little waterfalls on the way. After about a mile or so you can then pick up the Pennine Way and follow it south towards Charlestown where you can pick up the canal again. Follow it east and it will take you back into Hebden Bridge, passing Calderside on the way.
Hebdon Bridge to Heptonstall Walk Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Hebdon Bridge to Heptonstall Walk Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Hebdon Bridge to Heptonstall Walk OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Hebdon Bridge to Heptonstall Walk Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Pubs/Cafes
In Heptonstall you could stop off at The White Lion for some refreshments on the walk. It's a typical Yorkshire village pub with good homemade food and a fine selection of ales. Outside there's a lovely beer garden too. You can find the pub at a postcode of HX7 7NB for your sat navs.
Dog Walking
The woods and country trails in the area make for good dog walk. The White Lion pub mentioned above is also very dog friendly with treats a possibility!
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
Just to the north of Heptonstall you'll find the National Trust's Hardcastle Crags. You could take a small detour from the route to visit the the site which includes waterside walks along Hebden Water.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Hebden Bridge Walks and Yorkshire Walks pages.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
Rochdale Canal Hebden Bridge. Seen here South East of Hebden Bridge is a section of the Rochdale Canal on its 32 mile journey from Manchester to Sowerby Bridge. Many abandoned canal buildings around Hebden Bridge have been converted into luxury waterside apartments, small businesses and workshops, and the whole atmosphere of the canal bank has been enhanced by refurbished parks, marinas and gardens.
Stag Cottage, Heptonstall, located within a small courtyard called Stag Fold. One of the oldest houses in Heptonstall, built c.1580. The village lockup is in the basement at the back. The name is from the Stag's head Inn that used to be next door. Note the arch-headed windows; an old style, but still used in the early 17C. At the back of the cottage, on the level of a public car park, is a doorway to a dungeon, once used as a lock-up. Nearby there is a pinfold, built to hold livestock, but now a picnic area
The museum, Heptonstall. This is in the Old Grammar School, which was endowed in 1641. It closed in 1889, and the building was used by the Yorkshire Penny Bank from 1898 to 1954. The museum tells you all about the local history of the area.
Church ruins, Heptonstall
Towngate, Heptonstall. Here there is a double-bend in the street. The building straight ahead looks to have been one or two shops. Part of Longfield House can be seen round the corner.
The stocks, Heptonstall. These are not the oldest stocks in the village, there is the remaining half of the stone stocks in Northgate. A collection of old objects has been placed here and a cockerel put on guard.
The Pinfold, Heptonstall. Stray farm animals were put in here, and the owners had to pay a fine for their return. An early version of wheel-clamping! Now converted into a picnic area.
Mill ponds below Eaves Wood. The two mill ponds or reservoirs to the left and right of the photo were constructed to supply Eaves Mills. The mills were probably constructed about 1830 and were demolished around 1925 after the estate had been purchased by the Urban District Council, who also built the houses below the mill ponds.