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| The beauty of our glorious landscape is there for all to enjoy. Come and discover this beautiful borough for yourself and get some good fresh Pennine air in your lungs! |
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The canals form a signficant part of the Calderdale landscape and wind through virtually the whole district. Visit Sowerby Bridge, home to Tuel Lane Lock, the deepest lock in England, and the joining point of the Rochdale Canal and Calder and Hebble Navigation.
The navigation winds from Huddersfield via Brighouse Canal basin to Sowerby Bridge, cycle the towpath and watch the boats chug by. The Rochdale Canal climbs up the Calder Valley from Sowerby Bridge through the towns of Mytholmroyd, Hebden Bridge and Todmorden up to its summit at Walsden. A gentle walk with plenty of stopping places.
For canal trips, enjoy a canal boating holiday with Shire Cruisers or Brontë Boats and cruise up the valley with afternoon tea, dinner or a Sunday Lunch with Hebden Bridge Cruises.
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| Walking |
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Walks abound for all abilities and all ages across the stunning landscapes of Calderdale.
Hebden Bridge has pioneered the UK initiative Walkers are Welcome and easy access routes are mapped for Hebden Bridge and Mytholmroyd whilst the Calderdale Way celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2008; a 50 mile walk around the Calderdale boundary and worth the 2-3 day hike. A programme of Guided walks exploring the heritage of Calderdale is also offered all year round by Calderdale Heritage Walks and you can now follow in the footsteps of St. Paulinus with the Todmorden to York St.Paulinus Way.
Explore Hardcastle Crags with its 400 acres of unspolit woodland. Gibson Mill, a 19th century former cotton mill, is located at the heart of the Crags. The building is powered entirely by sustainable energy and you can take a break there at the Muddy Boots Cafe, where you can enjoy some coffee and great cakes!
For the walking elite, the heights are serious stuff, crossed by the super tough Pennine Way National Trail. En-route; Todmorden's skyline landmark Stoodley Pike and a number of stunning reservoirs. Much of the land is open access and we recommend you check Yorkshire Water's website for more information and routes around the area.
Walking maps and guides are available from the Tourist Information Centres across the district, and it is always advisable to ensure you have adequate equipment, footwear and ensure someone is aware of your planned trip before you start walking. Pennine weather can change quickly.
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| Parks and Nature Reserves |
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Calderdale boasts nine local nature reserves where you can discover the delights of the local environment. Join in one of the many special events or explore to your heart's content. From the stunning Ogden Water, 60 acres of woodland and lake interspersed with accessible paths to Jerusalem Farm, 13 acres of Pennine landscape including a campsite on the outskirts of Sowerby Bridge.
Why not combine a visit to Shibden Hall with a trip to the wildside at Cunnery Wood and enjoy pond dipping in a quiet haven. The Calderdale Countryside Team run various events throughout the year, find out more by requesting a copy of the Wildside brochure from one of the Tourist Information Centres.
Enjoy a picnic in one of the many parks across the district. People's Park in Halifax, Shibden Estate with a new children's play area, visitor centre and cafe, Calder Homes Park, a People's Millions Lottery winner in Hebden Bridge, and Centre Vale Park ,Todmorden are perhaps the most well known, but you'll find local parks in many of the towns and villages - there's always somewhere to enjoy the fresh air take a pew.
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| Cycling |
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Calderdale has a growing reputation as a great centre for mountain biking, with literally hundreds of miles of mountain bike riding on the doorstep. The Pennine Bridleway and Mary Towneley Loop pass through the valley and there are many bridleways that criss cross the area. The Pennine Cycleway and West Yorkshire Cycleway both lead high level whilst the Calder Valley Cycleway, "punctuated by public artworks" is great for families.
Calderdale is home to two international mountain bike brands (Orange and Ragley) and a mountain bike magazine (Singletrack Magazine) so there must be something that attracts them. If you like your mountain biking steep and rocky, with great views and all-year rideability, then Calderdale has it all.
Always remember, whether on road or off, to ensure you have the correct equipment with you, including but not exclusively, a puncture repair kit, fitted cycle helmet, map and food provisions. If you don't own a mountain bike, then why not consider hiring one from Hebden Bridge Cycle Hire? You can also shop locally for accessories for your existing bike, or perhaps buy a brand new one, from shops such as Blazing Saddles, Vale Cycles and VS Cycles.
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| Other Outdoor Activities |
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Other outdoor pursuits are also popular in Calderdale and there are a number of sports centres and swimming pools across the district offering a range of sports and courses for you to enjoy.
For the keen horserider, the Mary Towneley Loop links to the well known Pennine Way and there is accommodation available for both horse and rider.
Canoeists can enjoy a slalom course at Sowerby Bridge. Mountain Boarders have the Another World Adventure Centre at Ogden, Halifax (where you can also enjoy Zorbing, Bumper Balls, Archery & Cross Bows, den building and bush craft) and skiers and snowboarders the ski and board centre at Swalesmoor, Halifax.
There are a number of golf courses across the borough, many of which are open to non-members, as well as crazy golf in several parks.
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| Useful Links |
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