Loop - CHALLENGE - Brighouse Boundary Hike - 21.5mi/34.5km

Join us for our first challenge hike of 2025! Putting up early to incentivise people to keep their fitness over winter. Hopefully if timed this right there should be plenty of bluebells and spring starting to show its colours.

Start Time: 9:45am
Miles/Kilometres: 21.5mi/34.5km (Approx)
Total ascent: 770m (Approx)
Difficulty: Strenuous
Estimated length of time: Hike will take approx 9+ hours (including a lunch break).
Dogs Allowed: Yes
Public Transport: Yes, train leaves Leeds 9:15am arriving in Brighouse by 9:35am.
Parking - Park at the station car park at your own risk of a fine. Nearest official car park is Daisy Street - https://maps.app.goo.gl/F7bxQnRKyoCst47B9 otherwise can park on nearby roads.
Payment: £1 - Use this link to pay: https://settleup.starlingbank.com/jamiepope1 - please put "Brighouse" as reference.

Itinerary

Meet in front of The Shrub cafe near the station. The first part of the walk is nice and flat for 3.5mi/5.8km. We start off walking down Bird Royds Lane through an industrial estate until the road bends round and over the railway. We follow a footpath that runs in between the railway and a huge warehouse and comes out at the river/canal.

We walk along the canal towpath until we come to a footbridge, ascend up to the bridge but do not cross it. We follow a farm road over the railway to Lower Quarry Road, where we join the Kirklees Way (KW) and then follow this road back over the railway to Leeds Road (A62). We follow the A62 over the canal & river, under the railway, cross over the roundabout and briefly follow the A62 to Miller & Carter’s, here the KW veers off into woodland. We follow this and this is where the first ascent starts.
We follow the KW up the hill through farmland and woodland to Church Lane. Walk along Church Lane and turn onto Ladywell Lane walk along here briefly and then follow the KW through fields and over the motorway into Willow Valley Golf Course. We take the access roads through the golf course to the bottom of it, leaving the KW half way through. Following the edge of the golf course to Highmoor Lane.

We then walk through fields to Thornhills Lane, walk down this country road briefly before cutting through a field to Thornhills Beck Lane. We walk down this road briefly then follow a footpath around the back of northern Brighouse, through a new housing estate until we come out at Birkhouse Road where we join the Calderdale Way (CW). We follow this road down to the A649 and then follow this road into Bailiff Bridge, over the central crossroad and then turn off onto Victoria Road. We follow this road through a housing estate, until we can veer off onto a dirt road that turns into a footpath.

We then follow this footpath through fields to the A58, cross over and follow the CW through more fields, over the railway until we come out at Norwood Terrace, follow this to Village Street. Walk along this road briefly before veering off and leaving the CW route.

We follow a footpath through fields and woodland, crossing over Coley Beck, until we come out at the A644, walk down this road briefly, cross over and then walk through the woodland descending down to the A58. Walk along the road briefly, until we can take a dirt road under the railway. Follow this road to Halifax Old Road, walk along it briefly, then follow a footpath through the woodland to Norcliffe Lane. Ascend this country road until we can take a footpath up the hill through more woodland, then follow country roads around the hillside.

We then descend a footpath to Walter Clough Lane, follow this country road briefly, then veer off up through fields to a disused quarry. Walk around the edge of the quarry, then down its access road to Church Lane, cross over and cut through the woodland on the other side to Ashday Lane. Follow this old packhorse/farm road through woodland to the A6025. Cross over, then descend down to the canal, cross over it into the woodland opposite. Walk alongside the River Calder then cross over on the bridge here and then along the river on the other side, then carry on under the railway, ascend through woodland to Lower Edge Road. We walk along here briefly before cutting through a housing estate along another Church Lane.

At the other end of the estate is a footpath we follow to the B6114. Walk along this briefly to Pinfold Lane, walk along this road up to the motorway, we cross over the motorway to the A643. Walk along this road and then veer off onto Cote Lane, follow this road until it turns into a footpath. Follow this footpath to the A6107, cross over, follow a footpath back to the motorway, cross over it again and then descend down to Toothill Lane. Follow this road through a housing estate to A641, cross over onto Shepherds Thorn Lane, follow this to and through the local Scout’s centre, then descend back down through fields to the industrial estate we started it. We then walk back through the industrial estate to where we started.

Disclaimers

The walk organisers do not have training or insurance. Therefore, anyone who joins the walk is accountable for their own safety and anyone they bring with them. By signing up you accept this.

Check the weather (on multiple websites) before leaving your residence. Bring clothing & footwear suitable for the forecast. We advise you to bring walking boots for any medium or harder walk. Trainers are only recommended for easy walks. Bring a coat just in case (this is Britain after all...) and extra layers if it is going to be cold.

All proceeds go towards equipment for leading walks, group events & trips. A percentage will go to charities.

Bring a packed lunch and snacks. Bring enough food & water to last the estimated time.

We recommend bringing some cash just in case. Especially if parking. Not everywhere is contactless yet.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact the walks organiser.