We’d been running Hebden Bridge Hostel for three years before I got the time (and the courage) to take on the Pennine Way. Ten years before I’d attempted the 260+ mile path, only to drop out injured after 2 weeks. Ten years older I wasn’t surprised to find it was just as tough. During the walk many things passed through my mind, but the most important seems to have been “Why doesn’t the Pennine Way go through Hebden Bridge?”
Once back home it didn’t take too long to stumble across ears receptive to the plan and the ‘Hebden Bridge Loop on the Pennine Way’ was born. On 25th April 2015 the 50th Anniversary of the launch of the Pennine Way was marked (in Hebden Bridge at least) by the official opening of the ‘Loop. More than 200 walkers from the north came to help us celebrate the launch. We were overwhelmed. I even made a speech.
The Hebden Bridge Loop is a walk of two halves. For the Pennine wayfarer, the Loop serves as a picturesque, off-road, direct route to-and-from the Pennine Way directly into the heart of Hebden Bridge.
For the visitor to Hebden Bridge the Loop, including a section of the Pennine Way, is one of the better known local walks – a 6 mile, well signposted, circular route that takes in Heptonstall, Horsehold, Jack Bridge and Jumble Hole as well as some of the most stunning local moorland ‘tops’ and views.
A (paper) map is available from Hebden Bridge’s Tourist Office.
Dave Weirdigan, co-owner, Hebden Bridge Hostel
I saw and ‘liked’ the Facebook post that hebdenbridge.org had shared about the Hebden Bridge loop walk. Australian friends who were about to arrive to visit us saw the Facebook post and loved the look of the walk so we added it to the list of things to do while they were here. The walk is so varied, a great introduction to the area – hills, cobbles, trails, fields, meadows, buttercups, woods (we saw a deer!), sheep, cows, streams, canal. We were blessed with perfect blue skies on the day and between the four of us took about 300 photos! So picturesque. Took us about 4 1/2 hours, but we stopped numerous times to enjoy the views and take photos. We all absolutely loved the walk and would highly recommend it.
Hi Tania, glad u enjoyed the ‘loop. Would you mind if I used your comment on the loop website? Also would you be happy to share your pictures of the day, again for possible inclusion on the web? Best wishes, dave@hebdenbridgehostel.co.uk