Sowhal one

Slow Way not verified yet. Verify Sowhal here.

If you want to get into Halifax in a hurry, don't mind a steep climb and walking mostly on pavements or alongside busy roads, this route is fine. I've made a couple of suggestions below to avoid some unpleasant roadside walking below to improve it in places.
But, if you don't mind taking half an hour longer, prefer a level route that is mostly all along quiet, tree-lined canalside towpaths with countryside views and a woodland trail, then you might want to take a look at the alternative Sowhal route described.

Suggested improvements:
1. At the start:
i. Instead of turning right out of the station and walking along the road (see photo 1) to cross the river and canal, turn left initially then, c.50m along the road, turn right to cross a footbridge over the river.
ii. Turn right to take you into town and cross the Rochdale canal along the high street (A58) to Sowerby Bridge Wharf, the centre of efforts to rejuvenate town.
iii. There, cross over the Rochdale canal again and continue at its junction along the Calder & Hebble Navigation till you reach the road bridge and regain the suggested route.

2. To avoid walking a short, but very busy, stretch of the A58 dual carriageway near King Cross:
i. On climbing Washer Lane and reaching the Wainhouse Tower pub (see photo 3), turn left in front of the pub and then immediately right up a paved pedestrian lane, then left at its top when you reach Rose Bank.
ii. From there ahead of you, up some steps are two sets of crossings where you regain the suggested route, to cross both the A58 then A646 dual carriageways before you turn right into King Cross.

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