Ripell one

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I set off to walk this route from Ripponden to Elland.
There is a climb up from the valley to a wooded escarpment with a narrow path. After about 500 metres through the woods my way was blocked by two horses standing by the stile, and there was no safe way around them, I’m not a horse whisperer! So I backtracked and walked on the road - which was pleasant enough, pavements throughout, and the small village of Barkisland - until I picked up the route again at Bowers Mill.

The part I missed was about 2.5 km of rural woods, fields and tracks, with some steepness. I can’t say what happens there, so I’m flagging this route as a ‘maybe’.

Good refreshments at Bowers Mill, then a lovely meadow stream-side path along the Black Brook all the way to Elland outskirts. The path had one awkward bridge crossing where the bridge was a series of uneven boulders (photo) which I had to scramble across carefully. There is also a part where the path goes past a few industrial units, so there may be vans and artics.

At Elland the last 1/4 of the route goes through a residential area with a classic Calderdale climb up and then down again. This is sometimes necessary, as here, to keep away from the industrial and traffic-y valley bottom.

Apart from having to backtrack and reroute I enjoyed this route, especially the unexpected mill complex at Bowers Mill and seeing how even a small valley supported big mills.

I’ve posted my alternative route as Ripell Two for anyone wanting a slightly shorter, easier version which I can vouch for! But this one is still worth another look by more reviewers.

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