Walks in Shelf
From easy city strolls to challenging trails, discover the best of Shelf on foot.
Walk: Brontë Way
The Brontë Way is a scenic and literary trail that winds through the rugged landscapes of West Yorkshire and into Lancashire, offering a journey into the world of the Brontë sisters—Charlotte, Emily, and Anne. The trail is a tribute to the Brontës' enduring legacy, inviting walkers to immerse themselves in the history, culture, and evocative landscapes that shaped the authors and their stories. Route What3Words: ///valley.stem.vibrates Distance: 44 miles (71 km) Start: Oakwell Hall, Nova Ln, Birstall, Batley WF17 9LF Finish Location: Gawthorpe Hall, Burnley Rd, Padiham, Burnley BB12 8UA OS Walking Map & GPX Download Our OS map below shows the full route. Under the map, you can find a GPX file download for your navigational device. bronte-way-routeDownload Walk Description As you journey along this trail, you'll encounter various locations, each with a unique connection to the Brontës. Below is an overview of the key points along the route, highlighting their significance to the Brontë legacy. Oakwell Hall, Nova Ln, Birstall, Batley WF17 9LF Oakwell Hall is a striking Elizabethan manor house that served as the inspiration for "Fieldhead" in Charlotte Brontë's novel Shirley. The hall is steeped in history, with its well-preserved interiors offering a glimpse into the kind of environment that Charlotte imagined for her characters. The trail then goes through Birstall, a quaint village near Oakwell Hall. Gomersal Gomersal is where Charlotte Brontë’s close friend, Mary Taylor, lived at the Red House. The house and its surroundings played a significant role in Charlotte's life and were also immortalized in Shirley as "Briarmains." The Brontë Way then skirts past Cleckheaton. Cleckheaton was a bustling mill town during the Brontës' time. Liversedge Liversedge is where the Brontës’ friend, Ellen Nussey, lived. The town is mentioned in letters between Charlotte and Ellen, revealing the close-knit connections between the Brontë sisters and their circle of friends. The Brontë Way then passes through Hightown. Thornhills Thornhills was once the home of the Taylor family, friends of the Brontës. The area captures the essence of the moorland settings often depicted in their novels, providing a backdrop to the Brontë sisters' stories. The walk then goes through Bailiff Bridge, Shelf, Westwood Park and Clayton. Thornton Thornton holds significant importance as the birthplace of the Brontë sisters. The village is where Patrick and Maria Brontë raised their family before moving to Haworth. The Brontë birthplace, now a museum, is a must-visit site for anyone on the trail. The route then passes through Keelham, past Thornton Moor Reservoir, Leeming Reservoir and Oxenhope. Haworth Haworth is the heart of Brontë country, where the Brontë Parsonage Museum is located. This village was the Brontës' home from 1820 and is where they wrote most of their works. Walking through Haworth, visitors can explore the church, the parsonage, and the surrounding moors, all integral to the Brontë story. The route then passes through Penistone Hall Country Park and past Lower Laithe Reservoir. Brontë Waterfall The Brontë Waterfall is a significant landmark on the Brontë Way, often visited by the sisters themselves. The picturesque waterfall, located near Haworth, is a place of natural beauty that continues to draw Brontë enthusiasts. Ponden Reservoir Ponden Reservoir, near Ponden Hall, is believed to have inspired locations in Wuthering Heights. Ponden Hall itself is thought to be the model for "Thrushcross Grange" or "Wuthering Heights" in Emily's novel. The route then passes Watersheddles Reservoir - located on the border between Yorkshire and Lancashire - through Thursden, Lee Green Reservoir, Hurst Well Bridge, Lennox Street Stepping Stones - a unique crossing point along the trail, then past Holbeck Park and Wood End. Gawthorpe Hall, Burnley Rd, Padiham, Burnley BB12 8UA Gawthorpe Hall is the final significant stop on the Brontë Way. Charlotte Brontë was a frequent visitor here, and the hall remains largely unchanged from her time. The stunning architecture and surrounding gardens provide a fitting conclusion to the Brontë Way, connecting the literary heritage of the Brontës with the grand historical homes of their time. This journey through the Brontë Way not only allows you to walk in the footsteps of the Brontë sisters but also to experience first-hand the landscapes that inspired some of the greatest works of English literature. Each stop on the trail offers a unique glimpse into the world that shaped the Brontës, making it a pilgrimage for both literary enthusiasts and lovers of the great outdoors.
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: 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: The Spen Valley Greenway
This fantastic urban walk is along the old Spen Valley railway line that used to link Bradford to London directly, via Wakefield. This was closed in the 1960's as part of the Beeching cuts but has been revitalised by being appropriated as walk and cycle route. The Route spen-valley-greenwayDownload what3words for start point: ///congratulations.beams.junior Start Point: Low Moor Finish Point: Dewsbury Distance: 8 Miles GPX Route Map Walk Description Starting at Low Moor Train station in the outskirts of Bradford you follow the route of the railway line. This is a paved all the way and an easy walk for all. Enjoy the heritage of the bygone railway age as you pass through several tunnels and sights of former stations. Keep an eye out for the signs of where they used to be sighted by spotting old platforms, stairways and the odd lantern enroute. The route runs parallel to the M606 and actually crossed the M62 on an old railway bridge, there aren't many walks that cut over a major motorway! Follow the route and enjoy the art installations, including sheep and many call backs to the old usage of this stroll. Follow this through Cleckheaton, Heckmondwike, Liversedge and on towards Dewsbury where at the end of the walk you can join the river walk into the centre of the town.
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.