Sowhal three

Slow Way not verified yet. Verify Sowhal here.

I 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.

I 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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