Todheb three

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

This is a demanding walk - there is no way it could be achieved in an hour as indicated in the briefing. It took relatively fit people at least 2.5 hours. It is worth it nevertheless. On a summer late afternoon in fine weather, the views are spectacular, particular as the sun dips and the contours of the landscape are revealed. It is a beautiful walk if you are well shod and prepared for a very steep incline from Hebden Bridge that seems to go on for ever .. before you then come to field after field with sheep and cattle - that have to be accessed over stiles. When you reach the roads, these are single track with fast cars approaching without slowing down, before you then go back into the fields as you descent to Todmorden. On reaching the town, you go through a residential area, down steep steps that go on for ever, before hitting the night scene which is lively and all about beer .. which is available and a great treat before catching a train from the easily found station, to your onward destination.

It's a climb and a half out of Hebden Bridge, more challenging than the other climbs out of the towns and into the hills on this slo way from Leeds to Manchester. The views make this well worth the effort. I'd say this is probably the most picturesque part of the slo way but you have to be fit for that initial climb. It was a summer evening and these hills were a beautiful part of the world, along paths with dry stone walls, past sheep and beautiful flowers. Coming back down into Todmorden to a cold drink by the canal is a great way to round off the walk.

Walked Hebden to Tod. After the canal, it's a steep start up through woodland, with roots and rocks to navigate underfoot and views back over Hebden, then steep up through fields. After that it goes through sheep fields, passes an idyllic farmhouse garden, along good paths, a fairly quiet road, then makes a descent into the centre of Tod via many steps. There's a YHA en route and a pub a while before you get to Tod itself if you fancy a break. Then plenty of options for refreshments in Tod itself. It's a beautiful walk, open and airy, surrounded by hills. You can see up to the Pinnacle but skirt it. I would definitely do this walk again and think kids would enjoy it too.

Very enjoyable , not accessible to wheelchairs prams etc
Paths are 4/5 and access is K
Very steep and many stiles
Moderately strenuous climbs both ends quite steep , but short , the climb out of Hebden has alternate easier routes using bridleways .
Once up about 30 minute, It’s a relatively pleasant hike with mild undulating footpath , with short road section at Lumbutts for about 1/3. Great views most of the way at first the Hebden bridge and Heptonstall towns then after Studley pike views of Todmordon and the Pennines . We cross over the Pennine way near Studley Pike .
Short but steep descent into Todmordon, and found a cafe and drank coffee . Caught bus back to Hebden , every 15 minutes on a weekday.
It’s not a light afternoon walk as well as the steep ends at Todmordon and Hebden , if the weather changed it would be miserable and cold if not wearing correct gear , there are plenty of escape routes off down in to the Calder-valley
with plenty of busses .

This is a great route for views over the Calder Valley, but with steep climbs at both the beginning and end whichever way you walk it. Certainly walking from Hebden to Tod, if the weather is good, many will prefer to climb the extra 200' and follow the Pennine Way to take in the iconic Stoodley Pike, but in fact the Pennine Bridleway on this Slow Ways route provides a gently descending, less exposed and very clear path below the Pike, and passes a good pub too by way of compensation! The c.150 steps up from Tod through modern housing estates are a bit of a killer, but the views along the rest of the route more than make up for this slightly grotty start/finish.

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