Walks in Ovenden
From easy city strolls to challenging trails, discover the best of Ovenden on foot.
Walk: Ogden Reservoir and Overnden Moor
A feast of different landscapes all squeezed into a short walk around the reservoir and the surrounding moorland, just outside Halifax. The Route what3words for start point: ///proclaims.goat.relatives Start Point: Pay & Display car park off A629, HX2 8XZ Finish Point: Car park off A629, HX2 8XZ Distance: 4 Miles GPX Route Map walkshireogdenreservoirandoverndenmoorDownload Walk Description From the car park, walk towards the gates at the far end. Take the left hand pedestrian gate and follow the track through the woods to meet another track at the water’s edge. Ignore the bridge on your left, and continue straight on the track. For a short while, the track becomes a path before joining another surfaced track. Follow this track, keeping the stream on your right. Cross a stile and ignore the two bridges on your right, continuing straight ahead. The path starts to climb steeply uphill for a very short while before reaching a long bridge. Just after the long bridge, climb the stone steps to cross a shorter bridge. Just afterwards, the path bears left towards a stile over a wire fence. Cross the stile and follow the track along the edge of the moorland wind farm, keeping the turbines to your right. Eventually, the path takes you to a bridge over Skirden Clough. Cross the bridge and follow a clear path forwards, where you will meet the wide surfaced vehicle track of Withens New Road. Here, turn left, and follow Withens New Road down to the dam wall. Walk along the dam wall and pass the Visitor Centre on the left. Follow the road in front of you back to car park.
Walk: Halifax Canal Circular Walk
Explore the historic wool town of Halifax with this amazing circular walk that takes in the canal and woodlands to the south of the town centre. The Route what3words for start point: ///lists.baked.cloud Start Point: Halifax Finish Point: Halifax Distance: 9 Miles GPX Route Map halifaxDownload Walk Description Embark on a journey from the heart of Halifax, starting near the iconic Piece Hall, just a stone's throw from the train station, where the town's rich industrial saga comes alive. Set out along the Hebble Trail to connect with the Halifax arm of the Calder and Hebble Navigation, the lifeblood of Georgian trade as the flames of the Industrial Revolution first sparked. Navigate your way along the historic canal path, heading towards the picturesque vistas of Elland and the enchanting Elland Woods, famed for their carpet of bluebells come spring. As you approach Brighouse, take a scenic detour across the river to join the Calderdale Way. Your return trip unfurls on the opposite bank, offering fresh perspectives back towards Halifax. Upon your urban re-entry, the Piece Hall awaits, inviting you to indulge in the culinary delights of its exceptional cafes, the perfect epilogue to your historical exploration.
Walk: Calder Valley Greenway - Hebden Bridge to Brighouse
This pretty, relaxed walk along Sustrans’ National Cycle Route 66 is perfect for a blustery, colourful late autumn day. The Route What3Words for start point: ///hiring.fruit.tooth Start Point: Hebden Bridge Station Finish Point: Brighouse Station Distance: 9.3 Miles GPX Route Map hebden-bridge-to-brighouseDownload Walk Description This walk follows the historic watercourses of the Rochdale canal and the Calder and Hebble Navigation, winding through characterful industrial towns and imposing hills. Tread in the steps of the former Poet Laureate Ted Hughes and Sylvia Plath, who were inspired by this dramatic landscape, with its wild moors and lush native woodlands. As well as watercourses, the route follows the train line, so you can decide where to stop, enjoy a break in one of the many cafes of Mytholmroyd, Sowerby Bridge or Brighouse, and get a train back.
Walk: Great Northern Railway Trail
Enjoy this walk along part of the old disused Bradford to Keighley railway line. This section covers the two stunning viaducts at Cullingworth and Thornton the best examples of repurposed railways routes in the region. The Route what3words for start point: ///decent.repair.talked Start Point: Thornton Finish Point: Cullingworth Distance: 6 Miles GPX Route Map great-northern-railway-trail-1Download Walk Description Opened in the 1860's the route from Bradford to Keighley was known as the Switchback or Alpine route due to the large number of viaducts and tunnels that had to be build to navigate the geography of this part of Bradford. This walk starts in Queensbury where you can see face to face the Queensbury tunnel, at just over a mile long, which is currently at the heart of a campaign to reopen as a walking route to Halifax. Follow the fairly flat route towards Thornton and over it's magnificent viaduct. The views down the valley to the city are simply beautiful. Look out for the school at the viaduct's end, this is the site of the old station. Follow the signs to Wellshead tunnel where you'll need to follow the route over the fields above the tunnels towards Denholme. Once there you'll pick up the route again towards Cullingworth to the even more stupendous Heweden viaduct. This 14 span structure is even more impressive due to it's curve and views over the reservoir and Bronte moorland. The route continues for another mile into the lovely village of Cullingworth where you find a nice café at the village hall for refuelling and a caffeine pick me up. This walk can be split up into separate sections in Thornton and Cullingworth which are accessible friendly.
Walk: Calder and Hebble Navigation Canal
Running from Brighouse to Sowerby Bridge this section this is a part river, part canal route that once served the area at the height of the industrial revolution. The Route what3words for start point: ///gravel.assets.live Start Point: Sowerby Bridge Finish Point: Brighouse Distance: 6 Miles GPX Route Map calder-and-hebble-navigation-canalDownload Walk Description This route provides a tranquil repost to the urban centres along it's route. The peaceful nature of this busy walk is it's main attraction as you are transported to a quieter time, compared the to traffic on the streets above. Starting in Sowerby Bridge the route takes you through a the town and then onto some stunning Calder Valley countryside. There is an option to head towards Halifax along the canal to their however this walk continues into Brighouse, another Yorkshire industrial town. Watch out for the various bird and wild life along the canal and make sure you bring your spotting guide!
Walk: Sowerby Bridge to Hebden Bridge
This walk from Sowerby Bridge to Hebden Bridge will take you along the towpath of the Rochdale Canal and you will be surrounded by heritage and panoramic views. The Route what3words for start point: ///bats.begun.clubs Start Point: Sowerby Bridge Wharf Finish Point: Hebden Bridge Distance: 5.5 Miles GPX Route Map sowerbytohebdenDownload Walk Description Sowerby Bridge is where the Calder and Hebble Navigation seamlessly becomes the Rochdale Canal. Start the walk at Sowerby Bridge Wharf, the cobbled basin where the 18th-century canal buildings have been lovingly restored. You will join the Rochdale Canal at Lock 1 and follow it a short distance, past Lock 2 and then cross the road. After crossing the road, you can pick back up the canal and towpath at Tuel Lane Lock. Tuel Lane Lock is the deepest lock on Britain’s canals at 19 ½ ft, and boats can only travel through when lock keepers are present. Leaving Sowerby Bridge behind, you will follow through the leafy Calder Valley with its panoramic views. The next place you come across is Luddenden Foot followed by Brearley where you will see some canal-side cottages and a lock. Continuing along the towpath you will soon enter Mytholmroyd, the birthplace of poet Ted Hughes. As you carry on along the towpath, the quirky town of Hebden Bridge will be in front of you. Entering Hebden Bridge, you will first come across the Marina, then you can choose to explore the town's amazing independent cafes, shops and galleries or return to Sowerby Bridge by train or on foot.
Walk: The Calderdale Way
The Calderdale Way is a picturesque long-distance walking route that winds through the stunning landscapes of West Yorkshire. Covering approximately 50 miles, this circuit takes walkers through the scenery of Calderdale with a start and finish point just near Norland Moor Nature Reserve. The Route what3words for start point: ///lions.string.goods Start & Finish Point: New Clough Rd, Sowerby Bridge HX6 3RE Distance: 50 Miles GPX Route Map calderdale-way-routeDownload Walk Description Ripponden The starting point for many on the Calderdale Way, Ripponden is a charming village in the Ryburn Valley. The route then crosses through Soyland, Cragg Vale and Withens Clough Reservoir. Te Deum Stone A historical marker, the Te Deum Stone is a notable point on the route. The stone is shrouded in local legend. The route continues past Mankinholes and Limbutts. Todmorden A vibrant market town, Todmorden sits at the meeting point of three valleys. It’s an excellent spot to pause, explore the local shops, and perhaps enjoy a meal before continuing on. The route continues past Lydgate and Blackshaw Head. Heptonstall A historic village with cobbled streets and ancient buildings, Heptonstall is steeped in history and offers a fascinating stop on the Calderdale Way. The route continues on through Midgehole, close to Hardcastle Crags - a beautiful area with woodland paths. Midgeley Moor Crossing Midgeley Moor, you’ll experience expansive views. One waypoint is Churn Milk Joan, a standing stone on the moor and notable landmark. The route continues on through Booth, Causeway Foot and Mixenden. Illingworth Moor As you approach Illingworth Moor, the landscape opens up, with sweeping views across the moors and valleys, a true highlight of the Calderdale Way. The route then climbs up past Catherine Slack, Shelf and Northowram. Norwood Green A picturesque village with traditional stone houses and leafy lanes, Norwood Green is a peaceful stop. Bailiff Bridge then marks the transition from rural landscapes to the outskirts of urban areas. The route continues past Thornhills. Brighouse A bustling town, Brighouse offers a range of amenities and a chance to restock before heading into the final stages of the walk. The Calder and Hebble Navigation runs through this town. The route continues past Brookfoot and Freeman's Cut. Southowram Southowram sits on elevated ground, offering fantastic views back across Calderdale. The village itself has a rich history. West Vale and Greetland The final stretch of the Calderdale Way takes you through West Vale and Greetland, bringing your journey full circle with a mix of rural and urban landscapes.
Walk: Ogden Water
A lovely reservoir walk on the moorland above Halifax. A fabulous place to be tranquil and spot the local wildlife. There is a car park for vehicle users but be careful as it is a narrow single track road on approach so drive carefully. The Route what3words for start point: ///prancing.yoga.shot Start Point: Ogden Finish Point: Ogden Distance: 2 Miles GPX Route Map ogden-waterDownload Walk Description The 34 acre reservoir is one of the largest in the area and the path intertwines between woodland and the water's edge giving you an up close and personal view of the local wildlife. The path is good all the way around but there is a particularly steep section near the start/finish so be careful with accessibility challenges. You will often find boats out on the reservoir from the local sailing club and this adds to the atmosphere of the reservoir. There are several paths to take off the main circular walk but enjoy yourself just finding your own way around. Enjoy a coffee at the excellent café on site to refuel before heading home.