West Yorkshire LDWA

Walk Reports - 2021

Totals for year:
Walks - 40
Miles - 863
Walkers - 480
Walk Leaders -16

Mytholmroyd. Saturday 3rd April 2021. Distance - 21 miles. 11 walkers. Leader - Ian Hull.

Guest walk leader Ian Hull from the South Pennine Group got the show back on the road for us with our first social walk of the year, covid restrictions had put a halt to all official LDWA walking activities way back in early October 2020.
With group numbers being restricted until the situation improves further we set off from Mytholmroyd on a Calderdale circuit visiting Great Manshead Hill, the Aiggin Stone, Baitings Res and returning via Errengden Moor.
A great day out being able to meet and catch up with friends once again after such a long time and the weather played its part with blue skies and brilliant sunshine.

Photos by Tom Wood.

Clapham. Saturday 10th April 2021. Distance - 18 miles. 11 walkers. Leaders - Sue Manley & Iain Haigh.

Saturday 17th April 2021. Distance - 21 miles. 14 walkers. Leader - John Phillips.

Photos by Tom Wood.

Bailiff Bridge. Saturday 24th April 2021. Distance - 25 miles. 8 walkers. Leader - Chris Burrell.

Eight hardy souls met in Bailiff Bridge by the Cenotaph on Saturday morning, hoping that the glorious weather we have had all week would stay with the group for another day, and it certainly didn’t disappoint.
The circular walk started by heading to Norwood Green, then on to Coley, Northowram, Shibden Valley, Ambler Thorn, Bradshaw, Stod Fold, climbing up Hunters Hill, picking up the Calderdale Way to Dean Clough, over the moors, lunching at Rocking Stone, turning left at the old Withens Pub down to Ogden Reservoir, crossing fields eventually climbing up to Mountain. Then descending steeply to the north end of the closed Queensbury train tunnel, which is hoped one day will open as a cycle track into Halifax. Next came a sharp steep climb back up into Queensbury. What followed was a lovely walk back down through fields to Shelf Park, where a surprise check point fuelled the group for the last 3 miles back to Bailiff Bridge.
To finish, it was great to get out again exploring new paths for many, in fantastic weather and most importantly great company.

Photos by Chris Burrell.

Meltham. Saturday 1st May 2021. Distance - 23 miles. 16 walkers. Leader - Abi MacDonald.

Photos by Tom Wood.

Brighouse. Saturday 8th May 2021. Distance - 25 miles. 15 walkers. Leader - Chris Burrell.

Well, it said it was going to be a wet day with heavy rain arriving in West Yorkshire around 06.00 am on Saturday, as 15 (some might say insane) walkers donned their waterproofs in Brighouse Station car park ready to take on the South loop of the Calderdale Way.
The day started with a train ride to Todmorden. After a quick briefing the team headed up the hill out of Centre Vale Park, only to descend back down into Todmorden ready to climb up to Mankinholes to take a welcome cup of something warm, sheltering the best we could out of the rain and wind before the climb over Within Gate down to Cragg Vale.
With the rain still coming down, a steep climb up onto Water Stalls Road where the mist had come down making the day even more interesting. Lunch was had amongst the woods coming into Mill Bank but gave no protection from the weather. A brief spell of no rain (the only part of the day without rain) gave a photo opportunity around the trig point on Norland Moor.
A surprise check point in Southowram gave the team the energy to do the last 4 miles back into Brighouse with ease.
Overall a super day out in a very, very wet Calderdale.

Photos by Chris Burrell.

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Ogden. Saturday 15th May 2021. Distance - 22 miles. 15 walkers. Leader - Tom Wood.

Photos by Tom Wood.

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Todmorden. Saturday 22nd May 2021. Distance - 29 miles. 10 walkers. Leader - Chris Burrell.

10 walkers set out on the North loop of the Calderdale Way, starting in Todmorden and finishing in Brighouse. Climbing steeply up to Harley Wood Slack and following the way to Blackshaw Head, Heptonstall, Midgehole, Pecket Well, across Midgley Moor to Luddenden Dean.
After crossing Warley Moor the way takes on a different stance crossing fields and tracks around Upper Brockholes, Bradshaw, Holdsworth leaving the open moor land behind, eventually heading down Shibden Dale to Shelf and the last few miles passing Bailiff Bridge before arriving into Brighouse in the sunshine.
The weather was completely different from when we completed the South loop a couple of weeks ago and earlier in the week, apart from a cold start the sun came out and we all had a brilliant day out.
Congratulation to Jackie, Julie, Karen P, Karen N, Tim, Mick, and Roger, for taking part in both the North and South loop.

Photos by Chris Burrell.

Horsforth. Saturday 12th June 2021. Distance - 20 miles. 9 walkers. Leader - Tim Rollett.

Photos by Tom Wood.

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Haworth. Saturday 19th June 2021. Distance - 22 miles. 9 walkers. Leader - Chris Burrell.

The weather forecast wasn't very good, and as 9 walkers met it was very grey up on Penistone Hill. Plan B was put in place to avoid the bogs up to The Stoop after overnight rain, so the 9 set off on the tourist track up to Brontë Bridge and Top Withens, with not a soul in sight.
Picking up the Pennine Way (by this time the sun was out and we were warming up), we descended to Walshaw Dean Reservoirs. Our morning stop was taken on Widdop Reservoir dam wall overlooking Hebden Dale, then passing Cludders Stack and the Gorple Stones on Gorple Gate Track, we crossed into Lancashire, taking the Pennine Bridleway to Thursden.
Keeping on the Pennine Bridleway/Bronte Way/Pendle Way towards Wycoller, the views were amazing, unfortunately the photos don't do them justice. The group then headed East on the Bronte Way passing both Watersheddles and Pondon Reservoir's, picking up the Pennine Way again over the hill back to now a very popular Bronte Bridge.
A bit of a sting in the tail was the sheer climb out of Bronte Bridge Valley back up onto the moors with a gentle stroll back to the cars. I think we all agreed it was a lovely walk made by good company and great walking weather.
Congratulations to Hayden, who joined the group for the first time and fitted in well. We must have impressed him as he joined the West Yorkshire LDWA before 09.00 on Sunday morning (very impressive).

Photos by Chris Burrell.

Marsden. Saturday 26th June 2021. Distance - 25 miles. 10 walkers. Leader - Tom Wood.

Photos by Ralph Warman & Tom Wood.

Horsforth. Saturday 10th July 2021. Distance - 21 miles. 13 walkers. Leader - Tim Rollett.

Photos by Tom Wood.

Bingley. Saturday 17th July 2021. Distance - 21 miles. 14 walkers. Leader - Adrian Gosling.

Saltaire. Saturday 24th July 2021. Distance - 24 miles. 15 walkers. Leader - Iain Connell.

Photos by Tom Wood.

Lothersdale. Saturday 31st July 2021. Distance - 25 miles. 10 walkers. Leader - Chris Burrell.

10 eager walkers met in a dull and drizzly Lothersdale on Saturday morning, but by the time we reached our first climb out of Lothersdale the rain had stopped and it turned out to be a perfect walking day.
The route followed the Pennine Way South to Cowling and over Ickornshaw Moor, morning coffee was taken overlooking Keighley Moor and beyond. After a stretch of boggy and overgrown footpath, we hit the Bronte Way passing the lovely village of Wycoller. After Wycoller we picked up the Pendle Way which made one member of the group a very happy man!
Passing Laneshaw Bridge, dinner was had on top of Knarrs Hill with view of Yorkshire and Lancashire spread out below. The walk followed the Pendle Way to Thornton-in-Craven, where afternoon tea was had at the Thornton Hall Farm [a fantastic place for a cup of tea] we even met Harry Potter and Hermione Granger.
The group then rejoined the Pennine Way climbing Pinhaw, admiring the newly erected monument to remember the people who have lost their lives to the Covid Pandemic. The day was finished off with a drink in the Hare and Hounds back in Lothersdale.
Thanks for the support on the walk, the company and banter was great.

Photos by Chris Burrell.

Skipton. Saturday 7th August 2021. Distance - 26 miles. 7 walkers. Leader - Iain Connell.

Skipton to Saltaire via Draughton, Silsden Res, Wingate Nick, Burley Moor, Baildon Trig and Shipley Glen. A showery warm on off waterproof day.

Photos by Ralph Warman & Tom Wood.

Saddleworth. Saturday 14th August 2021. Distance - 24 miles. 11 walkers. Leader - Abi MacDonald.

Photos by Tom Wood.

Settle. Sunday 29th August 2021. Distance - 25 miles. 14 walkers. Leader - John Phillips.

A good and varied walk from Settle taking in Fountain's Fell, Helwith Bridge and Feizor and ably led by South Pennine member John Philips.
We finished the day off with a couple of pints in the Talbot Inn and fish and chips tea in the the market square.

Photos by Ralph Warman.

Idle. Thursday 2nd September 2021. Distance - 23 miles. 7 walkers. Leader - Kevin Hudson.

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Photos by Kevin Hudson/Ralph Warman.

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Embsay. Saturday 4th September 2021. Distance - 27 miles. 11 walkers. Leaders - Sue Manley/Iain Haigh.

A group of 11 met for the Cavendish Circuit. Around 3800’ climbing which kept us warm.
Lunch stop at Burnsall before the steep climb up towards Simon’s Seat. Back via Bolton Abbey and Draughton ready for a well earned drink at The Elm Tree.

Photos by Sue Manley/Iain Haigh.

Keighley. Thursday 9th September 2021. Distance - 25 miles. 7 walkers. Leader - Kevin Hudson.

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Photos by Trevor Wardman.

Adwalton Moor. Thursday 16th September 2021. Distance - 21 miles. 9 walkers. Leader - Kevin Hudson.

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Ilkley. Thursday 23rd September 2021. Distance - 21 miles. 13 walkers. Leader - Kevin Hudson.

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Photos by Trevor Wardman & Ralph Warman.

Holmfirth. Saturday 25th September 2021. Distance - 22 miles. 17 walkers. Leader - Abi MacDonald.

A good crowd for Abi's 22 mile circular from Hade Edge just above Holmfirth taking in Wooldale, New Mill, Kirkburton, Scholars and Farnley Tyas.
The warm and humid conditions required the need for mid afternoon refueling at the welcoming Golden Cock in Kirkburton.

Photos by Ralph Warman.

Otley. Thursday 30th September 2021. Distance - 24 miles. 8 walkers. Leader - Kevin Hudson.

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Photos by Trevor Wardman & Ralph Warman.

Skipton. Saturday 2nd October 2021. Distance - 18 miles. 10 walkers. Leader - Lesley Peel.

Photos by Tom Wood.

Kirkstall. Thursday 7th October 2021. Distance - 20 miles. 8 walkers. Leader - Kevin Hudson.

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Photos by Julia Warman, Roger Mahoney and Karen Pickersgill.

Idle. Thursday 14th October 2021. Distance - 21 miles. 8 walkers. Leader - Kevin Hudson.

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Photos by Trevor Wardman and Karen Pickersgill.

Holmfirth. Sunday 17th October 2021. Distance - 18 miles. 7 walkers. Leader - John Phillips.

We were out numbered on this one by 5 to 2 in favour of the South Pennine members, but for those on board it was a good and varied walk and a chance to take in a 10 mile stretch of next year's Trans-Pennine 100.

Photos by ?

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Idle. Thursday 21st October 2021. Distance - 23 miles. 6 walkers. Leader - Kevin Hudson.

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Photos by Trevor Wardman and Ralph Warman.

Thorner. Saturday 23rd October 2021. Distance - 19 miles. 20 walkers. Leader - Christine Stratton.

Photos by Tom Wood.

Idle. Thursday 28th October 2021. Distance - 22 miles. 10 walkers. Leader - Kevin Hudson.

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Photos by Trevor Wardman, Ralph Warman & Vera Ostojic.

Gargrave. Saturday 30th October 2021. Distance - 21 miles. 22 walkers. Leaders - Sue Manley & Iain Haigh.

Photos by Tom Wood.

Ribblehead. Sunday 7th November 2021. Distance - 20 miles. 8 walkers. Leader - Tim Rollett.

Addingham. Saturday 13th November 2021. Distance - 19 miles. walkers. Leader - Jane Parry.

Brighouse. Saturday 20th November 2021. Distance - 20 miles. 17 walkers. Leader - Chris Burrell.

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Photos by Chris Burrell

Ben Rhydding. Saturday 4th December 2021. Distance - 12 miles. 21 walkers. Leader - Lesley Peel.

Photos by Tom Wood.

Cottingley Bridge. Thursday 9th December 2021. Distance - 17 miles. 11 walkers. Leader - Kevin Hudson.

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Photos by Chris Burrell, Ralph Warman & Vera Ostojic.

Bailiff Bridge. Saturday 18th December 2021. Distance - 16 miles. 15 walkers. Leader - Chris Burrell.

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Photos Karen Pickersgill, Chris Burrell & Tom Wood.