Kirklees Way
Explore the Kirklees metropolitan district on this challenging circular walk through West Yorkshire. The walk visits the upper Colne Valley, Spen Valley and Holme Valley and passes Dewsbury, Holmfirth, Denby Dale and Marsden.
Highlights on the route include a series of picturesque reservoirs including Holme Styes Reservoir, Ramsden Reservoir, Brownhill Reservoir, Scammonden Reservoir, Deanhead Reservoir, Digley and Bilberry Reservoirs. The walk also visits the interesting Standedge Tunnel Visitor Centre on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal at Marsden.
Kirklees Way Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Kirklees Way Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Kirklees Way OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Kirklees Way Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Pubs/Cafes
In Marsden there's the noteworthy Riverhead Brewery Tap to visit. It does good food and is an excellent place for real ale connsiseurs. On the ground floor in the bar, there are 10 real ale hand pumps several of which are permanently dedicated to the popular Riverhead beers brewed on-site. The famous Riverhead micro-brewery is housed downstairs in the cellar. Here they brew a wide range of beers all with a local connection. Hot and cold food is served regularly with all dishes freshly prepared on site. You can find the pub in the picturesque village, next to the River Colne, on Peel Street with a postcode of HD7 6BR for your sat navs. You can also pick up the Marsden to Slaithwaite Canal Walk in this area.
In Bradley you could try the White Cross. Standing at the busy Leeds Road, Bradley crossroads the inn is a multi-award winning pub. It dates from 1806 and has a good menu and a beer garden to relax in. You can find it close to the canal at postcode HD2 1XD.
Near here there's also The Royal and Ancient. The pub dates back to 1780 and does a fine Sunday lunch. You can find them at Colne Bridge, 19 Dalton Bank Road, HD5 0RE.
In Hepworth there's the Butcher's Arms. The pub dates back to the early 1800s and includes a traditional bar with stone floors and an open fire. They serve good quality food and have a fine selection of ales.
The pub is also notable for featuring in the long running tv show Last of the Summer Wine. Many scenes from the show were shot around the village with the characters often meeting up in the pub.
You can find them at postcode HD9 1TE for your sat navs.
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
The route links with the Emley Circular Trail near the village of Emley. The 6 mile trail explores the area around the pretty village with some fine views of the Upper Dearne Valley.
In Dewsbury you could pay a visit to Dewsbury Country Park. There's good footpaths with orchards, wildflower meadows, ponds, lots of wildlife and views of the Spen Beck.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
Birkenshaw. Viewed from the junction with the footpath on the navigation bank. The Kirklees Way footpath descends to a footbridge over Lodge Beck, then turns left and curves round to cross Hunsworth Lane at the bottom end of East Bierley village.
Slaithwaite Moor. Here the path is through heather and rushes. Deer Hill is in the distance.
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Waymark Sculpture, Wessenden Valley bridleway, Marsden. 'Still Life', apparently of tropical fruits, by Joss Smith.
Kirklees Priory Gatehouse, Clifton. This view shows the early 16C part of the building. It is has exposed timber-framing at each end, at first floor level. The timbering for the windows bulges out at the base of the window lights, with decorative carving on the supports. It is at present awaiting approval from English Heritage before restoration work can start.
Bridge on the Wessenden Valley track, Marsden. Looking down the slope of Great Hey to the bridge over Sike Clough, seen from the high-level footpath. The top end of Wessenden Reservoir is in the distance.
Ramsden Road, Holme. On the right (north) side is the old boundary between Cartworth to the north and Austonley (in 1850), the latter changed to Holme by 1908. Crossley's Plantation is in the distance.
Near Hepworth
Approaching Digley Reservoir.