Loop - Challenge hike - Holme Valley - 9.5-26.5mi/15-42.5km

Join us for a challenge hike Have you got what it takes to walk around the entire Holme Valley? Come and give it a go - there are a few places you can drop out and catch a bus back to the start or Huddersfield.
Start Time: 9:15am
Miles/Kilometres (Approx):
Berry Brow to Holme - 9.5mi/15km
Berry Brow to Hepworth - 16mi/26km
Berry Brow to Farnley Tyas - 23mi/37.5km
Full Loop:
26.5mi/42.5km (Approx)
Total ascent (Approx):
Berry Brow to Holme: 500m
Berry Brow to Hepworth: 735m
Berry Brow to Farnley Tyas: 1050m
Full Loop: 1205m
Difficulty:
Berry Brow to Holme: Moderate
Berry Brow to Hepworth: Hard
Berry Brow to Farnley Tyas: Strenuous
Full Loop: Strenuous
Estimated length of time: 8+ hours (including a lunch break)
Dogs Allowed: Yes.
Public Transport: Yes train leaves Leeds at 7:45am. One change at Huddersfield. Arriving at Berry Brow for 9:15am. We will set off as soon as those on the train arrive at the church.
Parking: On-street parking near Zamorians Indian.
Payment: £1 for the walk - Use this link to pay - https://settleup.starlingbank.com/jamiepope1?amount=1.00- please put "Holme Valley" as reference.

Itinerary

Berry Brow to Holme

We will set off as soon as those on the train arrive at the church. Meet outside St. Pauls Church (short walk from the train station). The walk starts by walking over the bridge over the River Holme, down Arimtage Road and then down Bank Foot Lane until we turn off onto a footpath through the woodland. We walk through the woods for a while until we come onto Hawkroyd Bank Road. We walk along a few roads down into Magdale valley and then ascend up and walk through Honley town centre until we come out at the Cricket Ground. We walk past the local skate park and football fields to Jagger Lane, cut through to Stony Lane and walk down this until we can veer off onto a footpath.

We take the footpath through fields and across a few roads until we come out at the village of Netherthang and continue to the main road through it. As soon as we exit the village we turn onto another footpath and follow it through more fields that should have views of Holmfirth. We then descend down to a dyke, cross over and then ascend up to Upperthong.

We skirt around the back of this village(?)/outskirts of Holmfirth, we then descend down to another dyke, crossing over A635, ascend up the otherside through a small farming harmlet called Hogley Green. It is then through lots of fields to Bank Top Lane which we follow up Digley Reservoir's car park. We walk around the north side of the reservoir and then across Bilberry Reservoirs dam to continue around the south side of Digley. It is then up and over to the village of Holme.

Holme to Hepworth

We walk down the main road until we can veer off onto a footpath down through fields and woodland to Rake Dike, it is then a short ascent up to Ramsden Reservoir dam where we then come out onto Brown Hill Lane which we follow up briefly. We follow a footpath up the hillside for a short ascent and then around the hillside instead of to the top, until the path comes out onto White Gate Road. We cross over and continue down a dirt road and then through an Evergreen forest plantation until we come out onto Bare Bones Road.

We walk down to a crossroad called Harden. Cross over and take a dirt road and footpaths through the countryside to B6106. We cross over and follow footpaths with views of Boshaw Whams Reservoir until we come out onto Cowcliff Hill Road. We walk down the road for a bit until we can take a footpath through fields to the village of Hepworth. Anyone wishing to drop out here will need to walk through the village to its only bus stop.

Hepworth to Farnley Tyas

We continue by briefly walking up the main village road before veering off onto a footpath through fields around the back of the villages houses to Jackson Bridge Dike. We walk through the woodland here, coming out at the A616, we cross over and walk along the country road around some rich folks huge pond in their garden. We turn off onto a footpath that will take us through more fields to a country road called Scar Hole Lane, we walk up this briefly until we can turn off onto a dirt road that we follow around the hillside.

We walk along the dirt road with views of the valley for quite a while until we come out onto a country road called Wall Nook Lane. We walk thorugh a farming hamlet, then take more footpaths to and over A635. You can get a bus here to Holmfirth/Wakefield. It is then through lots of fields to the hamlet of Fulstone and then more fields to the hamlet of Thurstonland. We continue around the valley onto the village of Farnley Tyas. This is your last chance to get a bus back to Huddersfield.

Farnley Tyas to Castle Hill to Berry Brow

We cut through the village until we can turn off onto footpaths that will take us through fields and woodland. We cross over a couple of country roads and then we ascend up to the Castle Hill tower and views over Huddersfield. Once ready we descend down Ashes Lane and then through fields down the hill back to Berry Brow.
We can then go to The Golden Fleece for a well earned drink & food.

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.