Calder and Hebble Navigation

Mirfield to Thornes - 4th February 2017

Calder and Hebble Navigation, Shepley Bridge

My first experience walking on the Calder and Hebble Navigation was starting out at Mirfield.  The original aim was to walk to Wakefield but with overgrown and poorly maintained paths and diversions I ran out of daylight time and didn't reach my destination.

Walking on the canal cuts, in sunshine, via Ravensthorpe, Thornhill and Horbury is pleasant but walking along the river was a challenge with ever eroding footpaths on the river banks.  There was a wild and industrial feel to the river and the smells reminded you of this!  I had to take a diversion at Broad Cut via a railway bridge and called it a day at Thornes Lock.

I decided not to walk along the Dewsbury Arm towards Savile Town - just 100 years or so for photo from the junction.  I made a comfort stop at The Navigation Inn near Broad Cut in Calder Grove.  A pleasant pub and a perfect place for boaters to stop  before venturing onto the River Calder.

At Thornes Lock I finished; had a meal nearby and caught a bus on Denby Dale Road to Wakefield Bus Station for my onward connection home.

Thornes to Wakefield - 11th February 2017

Calder and Hebble Navigation, Wakefield

I'll blog my walk from Wakefield to Sowerby Bridge though I haven't walked the navigation in an orderly fashion.   I walked to Wakefield from  Thornes Lock - As I was walking on the actual river it had its challenges with the overgrown shrubs and vegetation, the muddy terrain, the amount of litter (a fridge was dumped there!), and it was drizzly.  My rain tote got damaged with the prickly shrubs and had to backtrack on the riverside path as it suddenly ended! I eventually was able to join a road that was besides the river and led into Wakefield City Centre.

I stopped at The Wharfside Inn for a comfort stop and drink.  The friendly owner shared some of the pub's history and how the area was associated with the Calder and Hebble Navigation.  We exchanged our adventures on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal and we challenged general canal related perceptions.

I continued on via the city centre - checked out Wakefield Waterfront and its Flood Lock and crossed Doncaster Road to complete rest of the navigation.  Falling Lock is where the navigation finishes and the Aire and Calder begins.   What I learnt from walking on the navigations is never to assume the mileage and timings as accurate because the stretch is part river and part canal.  Allow extra time for completing the stretches on the navigation.  

Sowerby Bridge to Elland - 11th March 2017

Salterhebble Arm, Calder and Hebble Navigation

This is my third walk on the navigation; from Sowerby Bridge to Elland.  I originally planned to walk onto Brighouse but tow path closures and bridge repairs curtailed my plans.  I caught a train to Sowerby Bridge and walked to the town's basin.  I started at the Rochdale Canal's Locks 1 and 2 and descended to the beginning or terminus of the Calder and Hebble Navigation.

It was pleasant walking on the cut surrounded by the beautiful Calder Valley and the Pennines.  The towpath is part of the Calder Valley Greenway which is popular with cyclists so I had to watch myself a bit.  Passing Copley I turned off at Salterhebble Arm and stopped for a drink at the Watermill Pub.  The Arm originally led to Halifax via the Hebble Brook.

I walked a little further towards Elland Bridge, currently being repaired and restored following the 2015 floods, and had to divert just before.  I walked on the road towards the Barge and Barrel Pub and after a half at the  pub I walked into town for a bus to Brighouse Railway Station for my train home.  A lovely day of scenic walking and certainly my favourite stretch on the Calder and Hebble Navigation.  Just the final fling via Brighouse and Cooper Bridge to Mirfield...

Salterhebble to Mirfield - 2nd April 2017

River Calder, near Brighouse

The 'final fling' on the Calder and Hebble Navigation! I caught a bus to Salterhebble Hill from Halifax bus station and began my walk on the Salterhebble Branch towards Elland.   I was greeted with the sign "Elland Celebrates"  sign when I approached Elland - last time I walked in the area the towpath was closed and had to walk on the road to finish my walk.

Yes Elland celebrates! I coincided my walk with the celebration event for the reopening of Elland Bridge. The bridge was severely damaged during the 2015 floods and after a long time of repairs it is now up and standing and open for business.  It was nice walking under and over the bridge and a party atmosphere surrounded the roads and the cut.  VIP guests were present including the media, Councillors and Canal and River Trust representatives.  There was street stalls and kayaking and trips were available on the canal - the latter by the Calder Navigation Society.  Lovely to have caught the party but I had to move on if I have to reach Mirfield in good time.  

I wasn't sure what the diversions were around Cromwell Bridge, which is currently being repaired, but it appears that the towpath was opened beyond the bridge.  I had to divert round the bridge - unexpected to see was directions to a cafe which volunteers of the Comwell Bottom Wildlife Group run.  The group run a refreshments cabin every Sunday - for me it was a perfect and unexpected comfort stop (with toilets available). 

It was quite a scenic walk on the cut along the reserve and it was the case until I reached Brighouse.   From the town centre I took a diversion via the roads and farmland to Cooper Bridge.  From the busy road bridge I rejoined the cut and soon faced the river stretches with a couple of cuts thrown in for good measure.  I closed the 'circle' at Ledgard Bridge in Mirfield...walked up to Huddersfield Road for my bus home.  In all a lovely day and it was good to complete the Calder and Hebble Navigation and also the North Pennine Canal Ring.