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

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....

RGW

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

I walked Elland to Sowerby Bridge and it's very straight forward though there were some restoration work being done so there were some diversions. Only downside of the route is the huge amount of fly tipping that is around the route....

Woffenden

I’m awarding 3 stars to this route mostly because it is so indirect, and also due to the pungent aromas for about 1km at the halfway point around the sewerage works. Despite this, I would certainly recommend this route if travelling in the uphill direction (Sowerby Bridge to Halifax), if your desire is to limit the amount of climbing and keep to a manageable gradient....

Jane Taylor

I found the walk out of Halifax interesting and it made good use of paths and quieter roads. 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. I would highly recommend this route for direction Halifax - Sowerby Bridge....

Jane Taylor

What looked on the map like a fine off-road route which avoids the busy A58 along a dismantled railway line between two old mill towns, following the River Ryburn mostly through deciduous woodland, in fact turns out to be for the most part on a wet, wintry day a squelch through quagmire....

Sneil68

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 riveri 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....

Sneil68

As a direct route between Cragg Vale and Sowerby Bridge (SB) this is OK for Slow Ways purposes, although all but the first km after the climb up out of Cragg Vale is on roads which steadily get wider and busier the nearer you get to SB. To compensate a bit there are great panoramic views over the Calder Valley eastwards once you pass the summit by Aaron Hill. I am slightly mystified as to why the Slow Ways team didn't propose a walk that passed over this piece of access land, instead of bypassing it, and then continue on (mostly) tracks and paths for a further 4km, which would leave only the last km or so down the road into SB....

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

Too much tarmac...

Pete Thomasson

I walked this route in the opposite direction (from Sowerby Bridge to Cragg Vale) and connected it with other Slow Ways routes to Hebden Bridge and then to Todmorden to make a good day walk. Although this route is almost entirely on roads they are mainly little country lanes with hardly any traffic. The route is lovely, great views into the Calder Valley, passing by some interesting old buildings, and Cragg Vale is a pretty area too....

fruitbat