I first rode this mountain bike route after it was published in Singletrack Magazine. I start this ride from the Hardcastle
Crags, Midgehole National Trust car park on the northern outskirts of Hebden Bridge. It is 23.5miles of great riding, the
first half of which takes in the moors and reservoirs of the area. The second half drops back into Calderdale through
the outskirts of Todmorden and back to Hebden Bridge on the packhorse trails and singletrack that criss-crosses the
valley.
1. From the upper part of the car park (GR988291) follow the road as it climbs up the left hand side of the valley. It
soon turns into a dirt track and re-enters the trees. Continue climbing straight ahead past the tracks on the left. After
leaving the trees behind go through the gate, by the farm on the right, to a flat section of trail that leads to a junction
just before a derelict building (GR989313).
Crags, Midgehole National Trust car park on the northern outskirts of Hebden Bridge. It is 23.5miles of great riding, the
first half of which takes in the moors and reservoirs of the area. The second half drops back into Calderdale through
the outskirts of Todmorden and back to Hebden Bridge on the packhorse trails and singletrack that criss-crosses the
valley.
1. From the upper part of the car park (GR988291) follow the road as it climbs up the left hand side of the valley. It
soon turns into a dirt track and re-enters the trees. Continue climbing straight ahead past the tracks on the left. After
leaving the trees behind go through the gate, by the farm on the right, to a flat section of trail that leads to a junction
just before a derelict building (GR989313).
2. Turn left and go through the gate for a short, steep, grassy and muddy
climb between the drystone walls. Go through the gate at the top and follow
the singletrack along the wall on the left. After a short distance go through the
small gate in the drystone wall on the left and into a field. Turn right and
descend through the field keeping to the wall on the right. 3/4 of the way
down the field, after the boulder launch pad on the left, the track becomes
defined and goes through a gate. After the gate the track climbs a short way
before dropping right to another gate (GR974313).
3. After the gate go straight on between the buildings then through a couple
of bends on the far side. This leads to a straight wide dirt track that, in a while, comes to a couple of gates by a farm
building on the left. Go through the small gate on the left of the large gate and continue along the track. This soon
descends through a left hand bend to a gate at a stone bridge (all this section of track, from the start of this paragraph,
is now under a layer of temporary tarmac). Climb right, away from the bridge, past the track on the left and up the
concrete double track. At the triangular junction at the top (GR954325) turn left onto the lane by the trees. Descend to
a right hand bend then go through the gate on the left to descend a grassy track a short way to the road junction
(GR946324).
building on the left. Go through the small gate on the left of the large gate and continue along the track. This soon
descends through a left hand bend to a gate at a stone bridge (all this section of track, from the start of this paragraph,
is now under a layer of temporary tarmac). Climb right, away from the bridge, past the track on the left and up the
concrete double track. At the triangular junction at the top (GR954325) turn left onto the lane by the trees. Descend to
a right hand bend then go through the gate on the left to descend a grassy track a short way to the road junction
(GR946324).
4. Turn right and climb the lane to the Widdop reservoir. Go past a car park
on the left, just before the reservoir, then turn left through the gates and ride
over the dam. On the far side follow the grit stone track right, along the left
hand side of the reservoir. The track soon starts to climb through a number of
bends. At the junction on the left hand hairpin follow the main trail as it climbs
to the left for the steepest section of the climb (GR926324). The track then
turns right and climbs through some very loose rocks before flattening off
along the top of the hill. This leads to a short rocky descent before a longer
flat section. After the next gate descend along the fence on the right and over
a water bar just before a small bridge on a left hand bend. Once up the small
rise follow the trail right for a long rocky decent that has a few more water bars
(fun ones though).
5. The descent flattens off and comes to a gate and a junction where the trail
ahead can be seen climbing through a left hand bend (GR898324). Take left
just before the gate, following the sign for the Pennine BW, for a short muddy
and rocky descent. After a small bridge follow the wide track along the left
hand side of the Hurstwood Reservoir. At the junction by the gate at the far
end of the reservoir climb the steep trail on the left. Take the left hand track at
the junction by the pylon a short distance later. The climb then bears right and
comes to a junction just after the crest at the top. Go right to continue along
(fun ones though).
5. The descent flattens off and comes to a gate and a junction where the trail
ahead can be seen climbing through a left hand bend (GR898324). Take left
just before the gate, following the sign for the Pennine BW, for a short muddy
and rocky descent. After a small bridge follow the wide track along the left
hand side of the Hurstwood Reservoir. At the junction by the gate at the far
end of the reservoir climb the steep trail on the left. Take the left hand track at
the junction by the pylon a short distance later. The climb then bears right and
comes to a junction just after the crest at the top. Go right to continue along
the main trail, dropping through a couple of bends, to the junction at the corner of Cant Clough Reservoir (GR894310).
Go right through the gate then left to ride over the dam. On the far side go through the dip to a gate. After the gate
follow the main trail off to the right. This soon descends to a bridge and a junction (GR891302).
6. Turn left and ride through the rocky water splash. Climb the rocky trail along the wall on the right then choose
between the bridge and the ford on the right hand bend. Continue climbing through a number of bends to the next
junction and take the less steep, thin track on the left that climbs to the car park by the wind farm (GR894288). Go
through the car park and turn left on the main road. This climbs for a little while then flattens out, turns left then goes
through a long right hand bend around a bowl in the hillside. At the following blind left hand bend take the lane off to
the right sign posted to Todmorden (GR915276).
Go right through the gate then left to ride over the dam. On the far side go through the dip to a gate. After the gate
follow the main trail off to the right. This soon descends to a bridge and a junction (GR891302).
6. Turn left and ride through the rocky water splash. Climb the rocky trail along the wall on the right then choose
between the bridge and the ford on the right hand bend. Continue climbing through a number of bends to the next
junction and take the less steep, thin track on the left that climbs to the car park by the wind farm (GR894288). Go
through the car park and turn left on the main road. This climbs for a little while then flattens out, turns left then goes
through a long right hand bend around a bowl in the hillside. At the following blind left hand bend take the lane off to
the right sign posted to Todmorden (GR915276).
7. Descend a short way on this steep lane to the junction by the house on the right
(GR914273). Turn left onto the dirt track and descend through an ‘S’ bend to a farm.
Take the muddy singletrack off to the left just in front of the house. The track soon firms
up and also speeds up. Go straight on across the crossroad and descend on the rocky,
grit stone. At the bottom negotiate the muddy right hand bend then up a short climb. If
wet it can be difficult to find a line on the corner that is not ankle deep gloop. The trail
bears left through a gate for the next boggy section of the ride, again in the dry it is ok
but in the wet it is hard going, although still rideable. It soon dries out and descends to
the next gate. After the gate follow the trail up a short rocky singletrack climb that stays
tight and rocky as it drops to another short, rocky climb and a gate for the final boggy
section of this trail. Once through the mud and the next gate bear right to the worn flags
of the packhorse trail. Descend to the next gate and then on to a steeper longer section
of stone flags. This soon bears left and comes to a gate. Go through this, along a dirt
trail and through the next gate to a junction (GR937257).
8. Turn right and descend the steep lane, over the water bars, and around a
left hand bend to the next junction (GR940254). Go straight across and head
up the grit stone trail as it climbs off to the right. This trail flattens out and
bears left around the edge of the golf course on the left. Descend to a wall
ahead and turn left up a short climb then descend to a short muddy section
that leads on to the golf course car park. Go through the car park to the
junction with the lane (GR946249). Turn right and descend to the junction in
the village. Turn left and ride past the church. After the graveyard and the
house on the left take the track on the right directly after the stone house on
the right (GR950249). This section of singletrack starts straight as it traverses
the crest of a big drop on the right then becomes twisty as it enters the trees. The trail
comes to an end as it goes through a wide right hand hairpin and climbs to a junction
(GR956251).
9. Turn right and follow the gravely lane to the next junction by the buildings. Turn right
and ride into the tight cluster of stone buildings. Keep following the left hand wall to a
section of singletrack leading off from the left corner of the courtyard. This leads on to a
great descent that has a steep, pick your way down rocky start and then speeds up as it
goes through a left then right switchback to end at a car park at the bottom
(GR956247). Turn left out of the car park onto the main road (A646). Follow this for a
short while to then take the right turn signed to the Youth Hostel. Continue right over the
bridge to head in the opposite direction to that travelled on the main road. Turn left then
right to skirt the edge of the canal lock. The climb from the valley floor starts with a
steep left hand hairpin and then bears right up the right hand side of a gully. Grind up
through the trees, going straight on past the junction to the Youth Hostel on the right, to
comes to an end as it goes through a wide right hand hairpin and climbs to a junction
(GR956251).
9. Turn right and follow the gravely lane to the next junction by the buildings. Turn right
and ride into the tight cluster of stone buildings. Keep following the left hand wall to a
section of singletrack leading off from the left corner of the courtyard. This leads on to a
great descent that has a steep, pick your way down rocky start and then speeds up as it
goes through a left then right switchback to end at a car park at the bottom
(GR956247). Turn left out of the car park onto the main road (A646). Follow this for a
short while to then take the right turn signed to the Youth Hostel. Continue right over the
bridge to head in the opposite direction to that travelled on the main road. Turn left then
right to skirt the edge of the canal lock. The climb from the valley floor starts with a
steep left hand hairpin and then bears right up the right hand side of a gully. Grind up
through the trees, going straight on past the junction to the Youth Hostel on the right, to
a junction at the bottom of a housing estate (GR962240).
10. Go up the second exit from the left, ahead and slightly left, on a broken
tarmac track between the houses. Keep climbing this track straight on,
eventually crossing a crossroad for the final part of this climb up a dirt track to
a gate. Go through the gate and turn left onto the Mary Towneley Loop
(GR964236). Follow this grit stone trail as it traverses the hillside underneath
the Stoodley Pike monument. After riding for a while go under the power
cables, just after the wall finishes on the left, and climb to a junction. Take the
track on the right and continue climbing. After a left hand bend go through a
gate and up a rocky part of the track and on to the gate at the top by a farm
10. Go up the second exit from the left, ahead and slightly left, on a broken
tarmac track between the houses. Keep climbing this track straight on,
eventually crossing a crossroad for the final part of this climb up a dirt track to
a gate. Go through the gate and turn left onto the Mary Towneley Loop
(GR964236). Follow this grit stone trail as it traverses the hillside underneath
the Stoodley Pike monument. After riding for a while go under the power
cables, just after the wall finishes on the left, and climb to a junction. Take the
track on the right and continue climbing. After a left hand bend go through a
gate and up a rocky part of the track and on to the gate at the top by a farm
(GR981248).
11. After the gate descend the track to the next junction and go straight over along the
broken, pot holed tarmac. Go past the next farm buildings and on to the next junction.
Go straight across the crossroad and ride to the next junction (GR989263). Turn left
and descend the broken rocky track. At the bottom turn right and descend on the
broken tarmac straight on, taking care through the farm buildings a little further on. After
the farm turn left to follow the lane as it steepens and drops into the valley. What
happens next can get a bit scary as the tarmac suddenly gives way to a section of steep
cobbles. They don’t give much grip in the wet. This thankfully gives way to concrete just
before going through a blind right then left hairpin. After the hairpins continue on down
to the junction at the bottom in Hebden Bridge (GR996267).
12. Go straight over the junction, along the very broken tarmac past the railway station
on the left and under the bridge. Follow the lane left and climb a short way to the
11. After the gate descend the track to the next junction and go straight over along the
broken, pot holed tarmac. Go past the next farm buildings and on to the next junction.
Go straight across the crossroad and ride to the next junction (GR989263). Turn left
and descend the broken rocky track. At the bottom turn right and descend on the
broken tarmac straight on, taking care through the farm buildings a little further on. After
the farm turn left to follow the lane as it steepens and drops into the valley. What
happens next can get a bit scary as the tarmac suddenly gives way to a section of steep
cobbles. They don’t give much grip in the wet. This thankfully gives way to concrete just
before going through a blind right then left hairpin. After the hairpins continue on down
to the junction at the bottom in Hebden Bridge (GR996267).
12. Go straight over the junction, along the very broken tarmac past the railway station
on the left and under the bridge. Follow the lane left and climb a short way to the
junction at the bridge. Turn right and cross the canal to the junction with the
main road. Turn left and follow the main road to the next junction then take the
right turn on the A6033 signed to Haworth and Keighly (GR994271). Keep to
the main road and climb out of Hebden Bridge, through the lights halfway up,
to the junction on the left signed to Midgehole and Hardcastle Crags
(GR993281). Turn left and follow this lane back to the car park and the end of
the ride.
I used this route for one of my 'Edge Cycleworks' Shop Rides. Pictures and a
description of the ride can be found in the Gallery.
This route crosses and can be combined with outher routes from my site :
Hebden Bridge and the Bronte Way
main road. Turn left and follow the main road to the next junction then take the
right turn on the A6033 signed to Haworth and Keighly (GR994271). Keep to
the main road and climb out of Hebden Bridge, through the lights halfway up,
to the junction on the left signed to Midgehole and Hardcastle Crags
(GR993281). Turn left and follow this lane back to the car park and the end of
the ride.
I used this route for one of my 'Edge Cycleworks' Shop Rides. Pictures and a
description of the ride can be found in the Gallery.
This route crosses and can be combined with outher routes from my site :
Hebden Bridge and the Bronte Way
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