Description
This alternative Sowhal route was suggested by a colleague who lives near Sowerby Bridge and frequently chooses this way to walk into Halifax for work and other purposes.
In following roads out of Sowerby Bridge to begin with, this route avoids the very steep climb up Washer Lane taken by Sowhal1. After crossing Crow Wood park it also avoids busy King Cross and takes a very nice route instead from the Wainhouse Tower via Savile Park and along tree lined streets and cobbled footpaths into Halifax
This alternative Sowhal route was suggested by a colleague who lives near Sowerby Bridge and frequently chooses this way to walk into Halifax for work and other purposes.
In following roads out of Sowerby Bridge to begin with, this route avoids the very steep climb up Washer Lane taken by Sowhal1. After crossing Crow Wood park it also avoids busy King Cross and takes a very nice route instead from the Wainhouse Tower via Savile Park and along tree lined streets and cobbled footpaths into Halifax
Status
This route has been reviewed by 5 people.
There are no issues flagged.
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Information
Route status - Live
Reviews - 5
Average rating -
Is this route good enough? - Yes (5)
There are currently no problems reported with this route.
Downloads - 2
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Geography information system (GIS) data
Total length
Maximum elevation
Minimum elevation
Start and end points
Sowerby Bridge
Grid Ref
SE0619423476
Lat / Lon
53.70769° / -1.90764°
Easting / Northing
406,194E / 423,476N
What3Words
heads.locals.pink
Halifax
Grid Ref
SE0939725348
Lat / Lon
53.72447° / -1.85907°
Easting / Northing
409,397E / 425,348N
What3Words
takes.fades.poems
Sowerby Bridge | |
---|---|
Grid Ref | SE0619423476 |
Lat / Lon | 53.70769° / -1.90764° |
Easting / Northing | 406,194E / 423,476N |
What3Words | heads.locals.pink |
Halifax | |
---|---|
Grid Ref | SE0939725348 |
Lat / Lon | 53.72447° / -1.85907° |
Easting / Northing | 409,397E / 425,348N |
What3Words | takes.fades.poems |
Sorry Land Cover data is not currently available for this route. Please check back later.
reviews
Alison Andrews
11 Aug 2024The route takes you through residential areas of Halifax from the railway station, rising to cross the open common green area where views of the Calder valley can be seen. The process down to Sowerby Bridge is fairly easy, taking in lovely views as you pass artisan dwellings that indicate our industrial past. Descending to Sowerby Bridge is again an easy walk, and you are rewarded when entering that village as there is a great cafe - The Roast and Toast - which serves super coffee and the most enormous scones. They also have a special menu for dogs. It is a delightful walk overall.
Kristin
29 Jul 2024 (edited 11 Aug 2024)Walked Halifax-Sowerby. A good little walk. Some nice flagstone paths and alleys and a big open park. The descent into Sowerby is down a long busy road; there’s Roast and Toast café just before you hit the main centre where we had good coffee and real cream scones and met Kevin the dog!
Coming out of the park there are several ways you could go - pick one!.
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Maria Andrews
28 Jul 2024I would recommend this walk, lovely parks on way out of Halifax, then some historical streets with double terraces, a good view of Halifax once out. As the elevations change and especially crossing roads turning into Sowerby take care to zoom right in to find the path again. Jam and scones in a cafe in Sowerby bridge are delicious.
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RGW
08 Jul 2023I absolutely loved this route. It is a brilliant example of how applying some local knowledge can vastly improve a route. One of the problems I'm finding is that people are leaving positive reviews for routes but pointing out the problems with them and how they can be improved. This is an example of the best approach - plot and review an alternative.
I walked this route as the second leg of a walk from Hebden Bridge to Halifax on my way to a concert at the glorious Piece Hall. On the map this looks like a very built up urban area but apart from the first section which follows a main road, this route makes substantial use of parks and open spaces and on a sunny summer afternoon was quite glorious.
Although this route is steep and slightly rough underfoot in places the only set of steps was in the underpass at Sowerby Bridge station and could easily be avoided using the station approach road instead.
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Jane Taylor
28 Mar 2022I walked from Halifax to Sowerby Bridge.
Overall its a really good route, the highlight for me was walking by the Wainhouse Tower, a huge folly that dominates the escarpment, and I’d seen it several times from the train going up and down Calderdale.
I found the walk out of Halifax interesting and it made good use of paths and quieter roads.
My happiest moment was when climbing up a steepish cobbled path I longed for a bench, and lo! At the top my prayer was answered! And of course it goes through the famous Halifax Piece Hall.
There is some steepness especially at the Sowerby Bridge end of the walk but nothing very extreme.
One niggle is that the route is a little loosely drawn at times, but it is I think always possible to see where to go by reading ahead. In particular at the start in Halifax it took me into a car park where I was shooed out by the security guy - no I needed to be on the next path down the hill.
At Sowerby Bridge you must cross the railway line using the underpass at the station.
Another minor niggle - more a preference really - is that I would have preferred to make more use of the canal path at Sowerby Bridge rather than keeping to the main road. But the road provides plentiful refreshments so really it evens out!
There is an issue with the Halifax meeting point which is currently being developed and who knows how it will end up! (First photo) I can suggest an alternative on the forum, but it would be great to get some local knowledge!
I would highly recommend this route for direction Halifax - Sowerby Bridge. In reverse it does have considerably more climb than Sowhal Two, so depending on your preference you may want to consider Sowhal Two for the ascent!!
Mostly roads, pavements, grass and cobbles. Some steps and a short section of narrow earth footpath.
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