There was lots of canalside interest with refreshment opportunities towards Hebden Bridge, and plentiful facilities at both ends of this lovely route....

Mary Oz

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 .....

Alison Andrews

This is a gorgeous experience, largely following the waterway, with divergences to take bridle paths and other public footways. Some of these are overgrown due to lack of use, but the slow ways project may well be addressing this. Apart from a few slight inclines, it is very manageable for any walker being largely flat....

Alison Andrews

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....

Maria Andrews

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....

Kristin

At the Cragg Vale end, I would try sticking with the track to Hill Top as the route through Old Cragg Hall is not obvious....

RGW

The route follows the canal and then woodland alongside the train track for much of the way so it’s easy to follow which makes it good for thought and conversation....

Kristin

Pretty accurate, a bit of hedging bets and going back on ourselves to catch the path but can generally orientate according to rail or canal or main road....

Maria Andrews

Very straightforward route following a bridle-path / track down the valley into Hebden Bridge. Made a nice gentle finish to a longer walk which started in Burnley. Note that the New Delight Inn at Jack Bridge would make a better node than the current one at Blackshaw Head and can easily be incorporated into this route....

RGW

There are good pubs in Heptonstall, and a minor variation to the route will take in the New Delight Inn which is also recommended. Combined with "Todbla one" this makes a good walk from Todmorden to Hebden Bridge which is a good day out by train from Manchester....

RGW

This route follows clear and mainly waymarked footpaths between Hebden Bridge and Haworth. I walked it on late October after a period of heavy rain and whilst wet and muddy in places there was no difficulty. The paths can be rough in places and there are some sections with steps....

RGW

I was tempted to try this but given the time of year (late October) and the previous spell of wet weather I heeded the comments in other reviews and decided that the section across Midgley Moor would most likely be impassable. In the wrong weather conditions it would also be potentially dangerous. I have added the route I did take as Hebhaw Two - this uses clear and mainly waymarked footpaths for the whole length and should be passable (if muddy) throughout the year....

RGW

This is an ideal Slow Way route following national cycle route 66 from Hebden Bridge to Sowerby Bridge. Walked on a hot sunny afternoon, much of the route was along pleasantly shaded paths next to the railway. This route is flat, and step free....

RGW

Moderately strenuous climbs both ends quite steep , but short , the climb out of Hebden has alternate easier routes using bridleways. Great views most of the way at first the Hebden bridge and Heptonstall towns then after Studley pike views of Todmordon and the Pennines....

Dave Powell

I walked from Hebden Bridge to Pack Horse Inn....

Woffenden

I liked that the route went up into the woods rather than just following the canal coming into Hebden Bridge though there are some parts of it where it was challenging to find the paths....

Woffenden

But a nice combination of woodland, moorland and river / steam railway....

Becky Ayre

If you asked most local people which route they would chose to walk between Tod & Hebden Bridge (for typical Slow Ways purposes, e.g. to walk to work, school or the shops or something) most would say, just follow the canal towpath....

Sneil68

Several new boardwalks across more of the boggier bits have been put in place, since a previous reviewer's comments on the route, by 'CROWS' the local Community Rights of Way volunteers, in anticipation of increased use of this trail (which also follows part of an excellent walk inspired by the novel with maps and illustrations by Christopher Goddard)....

Sneil68

Lane walking, fields and wooded footpaths....

Lindsay M

The walk did improve as we made our way across fields using well marked footpaths. There are fine views across the Calder valley and the walk does take in a varied landscape....

Mihaiti

After Broad Bottom, the path below Burlees beech wood is both beautiful and quiet (being high enough above the busy A646), and the route drops you surprisingly close into Hebden Bridge town centre with just a short stretch of canal towpath to complete it....

Sneil68

Step over the low wall at the end of the overflow weir (where the couple are walking in photo 3. below) before you get to the bridge, and follow the wall to you left to get up onto the bridge. The first can be avoided (along with the not particularly pleasant and tricky route that takes you through a housing estate) by continuing along the canal for a further 0.5km, to cross both canal and the A646 at Luddendenfoot, and then walking up Luddenden Lane to rejoin the route at its junction with Kershaw Drive.....

Sneil68

panoramic views from the highest points along the middle stretch between Deer Stones Edge and Midgley Moor....

Sneil68

Generally firm underfoot, though there are some very wet areas near Warley Moor Reservoir. Would recommend choosing a clear day to enjoy the fantastic views across Calderdale....

Mihaiti

Lovely walk with far reaching views; need a clear day to appreciate these. Some care needs to be taken crossing Midgley Moor as route not always obvious....

Lindsay M

There are some quite steep but short sections (but you can't really walk anywhere in these parts and avoid these if you want to escape from the valley bottom!), and one or two muddy bits in wet weather, but the reward is that on this route you really get to sample much of the best that a walk in the South Pennines has to offer....

Sneil68

This is a very fine walk along well walked and waymarked paths, with some superb views over the Upper Calder Valley, and its tributaries (specifically, the Colden Valley and Hebden Dale) and beyond....

Sneil68

This is a convoluted way to get down from Erringden Moor and involves some very decrepid stiles around GR999239. I would recommend coming doen via Hill Top at GR 997236....

Pete Thomasson

It has a good variety if walking....

Andyhemsley

I walked this route in the opposite direction (from Cragg Vale to Hebden Bridge) and connected it with other Slow Ways routes to start in Sowerby Bridge and end in Todmorden....

fruitbat

I've walked between the 2 towns quite a few times but this was a new route to me and I'm v glad I walked it....

fruitbat

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....

Sneil68

However, the diversion up through Horsehold Wood is an unnecessary complication, and the route can be improved by following the recently upgraded canal towpath throughout. With this tweak made, this would be an excellent Slow Way. For those able to navigate a steep cobbled section of towpath, suggest a small diversion using the tunnel under the main road in Todmorden, avoiding the need to cross the traffic to get to/from the station....

WalkyFeet