Photo: The Calderdale Way sign at Todmorden station

Calderdale boasts an extensive network of rights of way, with around two thousand footpaths, bridleways and other routes, totalling around 850 miles. One of the most notable of these is the Calderdale Way, a 50-mile walking route that encircles Halifax, Hebden Bridge and Todmorden. It follows old packhorse routes, passing through pretty hillside villages and old mill towns, providing exceptional panoramic views over the Pennines.

A new film from Visit Calderdale offers insight into the beautiful scenery that can be found along the route. Accompanying guides and information boards show how the trail can be broken down into smaller sections or used alongside other routes to cater for all fitness levels and abilities.

Many routes are easily accessible on public transport and there are 8 new information boards now in place at the following locations, with 2 more to come:

• Brighouse Railway Station
• The Last Post pub, Ripponden
• Withins Clough Reservoir car park
• Todmorden Railway Station
• Heptonstall Parish Council noticeboard
• Midgehole Working Men’s Club
• Mytholmroyd Railway Station
• Jerusalem Farm and Wade Wood Nature Reserve
• Mixenden Activity Centre (to be installed in November)
• Norwood Green village green ((to be installed in November)

The boards show how the route can be broken down into sections and places of interest along the way. They also include a number of link routes, showing additional walks to connect with towns or attractions off the Calderdale Way, as well as nearby shorter circular routes.

The project has received funding from Active Calderdale, with lots of support from the Community Rights of Way Service (CROWS) – a community group working to keep the local routes accessible and attractive. Calderdale Council has also been working with the local organisation Little Legs, to support the creation of numerous child-friendly walking routes across Calderdale, many of which are on or close to the Calderdale Way.

To provide further inspiration, go to the Calderdale Way page on Visit Calderdale where you’ll find lots of information to help plan your walk, including a 5 day walking itinerary, and AllTrails map with digital walking routes to follow on your phone!