Thornton Viaduct Walk
This walk visits the Thornton Viaduct in the Thornton area of Bradford.
The walk starts just to the west of the village at Close Head Row. From here you can pick up a section of the Great Northern trail, a shared cycling and walking trail. This will take you south east along a dismantled railway line to the viaduct. The structure is 300 yards (270 m) long and has 20 arches. It was part of the GNR's Queensbury Lines running between Queensbury and Keighley. It stopped carrying passengers in 1955 but remained open to goods until the 1960s. From here there are fine views over the surrounding area from the elevated position of the viaduct.
The route then continues for another mile before finishing just outside Queensbury.
Postcode
BD13 3NN - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locationsThornton Viaduct Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Thornton Viaduct Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Thornton Viaduct OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Thornton Viaduct Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Pubs/Cafes
Christophes Coffee House is located just to the north east of the viaduct in Thornton. It's a bit of a hidden gem with great food and a cosy log burner for colder days. You can find it at 381 Thornton Rd with a postcode of BD13 3JX for your sat navs.
Dog Walking
It's a nice walk with the dogs though it may be best to keep them on leads as there will probably be few cyclists around. Christophes mentioned above is also dog friendly.
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
To continue your walking in the area head north to Hewenden Reservoir and Viaduct. This structure formed part of the Keighley and Thornton Branch of the Great Northern Railway and is also worth seeing. Both viaducts also form part of the Great Northern Railway Trail which runs from Queensbury to Cullingworth. Near the trail you can also visit the lovely Goit Stock Waterfall. There's some nice peaceful woodland trails here around the rushing falls.
On the south western outskirts of the city there's Horton Bank Country Park to visit. The park includes a nice lakeside trail and a viewpoint with fine views over the city and the surrounding Yorkshire Dales. The picturesque Chellow Dene Reservoir is also located near here.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Yorkshire Dales Walks and the Nidderdale Walks pages.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
Thornton Viaduct Viaduct crossing the Pinch Beck valley on the disused railway line south of Thornton. Looking northeast from Headley Golf Course on the south side of the beck.
Showing the splendid condition of the stonework
Prospect Mill from Great Northern Viaduct
Headley Lane crossing the former Great Northern Railway. The Blue sign indicates the entrance to the Great Northern Way bridle path which crosses the Thornton Viaduct to give access to Thornton. Below it can be seen a conventional Public Footpath sign indicating the traditional footpath route to Thornton.
A view over the village of Thornton.
Start of the Great Northern Trail in Thornton. A view along the surfaced path which can also be used for cycling.