Loop - Sowerby Bridge & Luddenden Valley - 10.6mi/17km

Start Time: 10:15am
Miles/Kilometres: 10.6mi/17km (Approx)
Total ascent: 406m (Approx)
Difficulty: Moderate
Estimated length of time: 5-6 hours (including a lunch break)
Dogs Allowed: Yes but must be on a lead at all times on moorland and in fields with livestock.
Public Transport: Yes train leaves Leeds at 9:45am arriving at 10:15am.
Parking: Plenty of free parking on Station Road leading up to the station or on the road on the otherside of the station.
Payment: £1 for the walk - Use this link to pay: https://settleup.starlingbank.com/jamiepope1 - please put "Sowerby" as reference.

Itinerary

Meet outside the cafe at the end of the platform (I think it has re-opened after being shut for years due to the pandemic). We start by walking down Station Road then cross over the A58 and continue under the railway to walk down Walton Street. We walk through an industrial estate and then around the Cricket Ground to which we will then be alongside the river Calder.

We then walk along a footpath along the riverside for 1.5mi/2.4km before crossing over it on a footbridge, cross over a road and then come out onto the canal. We walk along the canal for a little over 1mi/1.6km into Luddenden Foot, we cross over the canal and then over Burnley Road (A646) and take a small staircase up to Danny Lane, we walk up this road briefly and then take a footpath into the woodland ahead.

We follow the footpath through the woods until we come out into Luddenden village, we walk through the village until we come to a church, we walk through the church's grounds and exit onto a bridleway and follow this to Mill Lane. We then walk down Mill Lane through the Luddenden valley, after half a mile we cross the river. We now take footpaths slightly up the hill and then along the hillside until we come onto a dirt road. We then follow the dirt road to Bank House Lane. We cross over the road, then follow another footpath around the hillside here to Saltonstall Lane.

There is a pub (Cat I'th Well) here with a beer garden so benches we can stop for lunch at. Once ready we continue up the hill onto the moorland to Castle Carr Road, we cross over the road. We continue up the hill across the moors to Leadbeater Dam, we walk around the Dam passing Haigh Cote Dam too until we come out onto Lumb Lane. We now walk down this road into Wainstalls hamlet, enjoying views down the Luddenden Valley we just walked through. We turn off the main road onto Wainstall Lane and then follow a bridleway down a farm access road which comes out onto a footpath.

We follow the footpath around the hillside to Stocks Lane, we walk down the road briefly then take another footpath along the hillside this part we can enjoy stunning views up the Calder Valley towards Hebden Bridge. We continue on until we come out at a crossroads of sort. We then follow Winterburn Lane around the hillside, we can stop at The Winterburn for a quick drink if people wish.

Once ready, the walk ends by descending through fields to Water Hill Lane. Walking down this to Burnley Road, cross over, then down through the woods to Hollin Mills Lane. We walk down the road over the canal and then walk along the canal back into Sowerby Bridge. Ending outside The Turks Head pub which has a riverside beer garden. It is a short walk across the footbridge here, over the river back to the train station.

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 leisurely and 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.