Countryside guided walks

The purpose of this Guided Walks programme is primarily to introduce people to walking in the Bradford District. You may be surprised at the variety of landscape and wildlife to be experienced both in the countryside that we have, and in the urban areas.

The aims of the walks are to provide a safe, friendly atmosphere in which you can become familiar with the local routes, landscapes and rights of way - the first step in devising your own routes so you can explore further, or join up with one of the local walking groups.

Unless otherwise stated in the walk information, walks are free. You will however be expected to pay your own fare if your walk involves the use of public transport.

The walks will normally be paced at 2 miles per hour but will take longer on themed walks and also where there is some difficulty or where there are large numbers of walkers. All mileage is approximate. The walk guide or activity leader reserves the right to cancel or amend the walk or activity in the light of problems which may effect the safety of the walk party.

Please note: the leader reserves the right to refuse to allow any walker to join in if inadequately dressed or would clearly struggle to complete the walk. Dogs are not allowed on the walks, unless needed as a support or guide dog.

Walkers are requested to keep behind the leader in order that a pace can be maintained for the benefit of all the party.

Where public transport information is given, anyone planning to use buses or trains is asked to check timetables for changes:

Approximate timings

Mileage	Approximate time
1 mile (1.6km)	30 minutes
2 miles (3.2km)	1 hour
3 miles (4.8km)	1.5 hours
4 miles (6.4km)	2 hours
5 miles (8km)	2.5 hours
6 miles (9.7km)	3 hours
7 miles (11.2km)	3.5 hours
8 miles (12.8km)	4 hours
9 miles (14.4km)	4.5 hours
10 miles (16km)	5 hours
11 miles (17.7km)	5.5 hours

* Little or no difficulty

** Some difficulty

*** A difficult walk

Millennium Way Walks for 2025

During 2025, several walking groups have come together to offer a series of 16 circular walks based on the Bradford Millennium Way which was launched 25 years ago. The walks will take place on Saturdays at 3 week intervals from January through to November 2025 as our contribution to the Bradford 2025 programme. All the groups offer their own programme of walks in addition to this Millennium Way programme.

Information about the Millennium Way and advice on buying the guides to the route is available on the Bradford Millennium Way Walks website.

Saturday, 3 May 2025 - Haworth Circular - led by Bradford CHA

Start time and projected finish time: 11.15am start with an expected return around 2.30pm.

Start and finish point: St Michael and All Angels Church, the steps/wrought iron gates at the top of Main Street, Haworth

What3words: ///catching.condiment.liberated

Distance: 5.5 miles

Brief description: today’s walk centres on the lovely village of Haworth. We start from the steps up to St Michael and All Angels Church at the top of Main Street where the Bronte family were heavily involved. The Bronte Parsonage Museum is near here and could be visited at the end of the walk.

We set off through the graveyard at the back of the church and make our way up to Penistone Hill with fantastic views of the surrounding countryside. We then drop down to Oxenhope, going past the famous station where we might see a steam train if we are lucky. From here we follow a path which was used in the filming of the Railway Children. We follow the railway all the way back to the centre of Haworth where the walk finishes. There are plenty of cafes and pubs in Haworth for refreshments.

Difficulty: moderate/easy.

Clothing: bring suitable clothing and boots for any wet or uneven ground.

Food: please bring a packed lunch and a drink.

Public transport: the B2 bus runs to Haworth from Keighley Bus Station.

Car parking : the Bronte Museum Pay and Display car park is nearest to to the start point. There are other car parks in Haworth.

Saturday, 24 May 2025 - Oxenhope Circular 2 - led by Baildon Walkers are Welcome

Start time and projected finish time: 10.30am start with an expected return at 2.30pm to 3pm.

Start and finish point: Oxenhope Station (Keighley and Worth Valley Railway)

What3words: ///wider.ironclad.september

Distance: 7.5 miles

Brief description: this is a walk of two halves; undemanding field paths and short road sections to Penistone Hill with gradual descent and ascent. After Penistone Hill the route moves onto open moorland. Well defined but narrow paths which may be boggy if there has been rain. We will skirt Leeshaw Reservoir. Significant steep ascent up Spa Hill to join a path which follows a water conduit around the contours below Stairs Hill and Sun Hill before turning down a long descending path into Hard Nese Clough. Tracks and paths bring us back into Oxenhope. Excellent views of Mid Pennine moorland.

Difficulty: this is a walk of moderate difficulty with sections that are demanding.

Clothing: strong footwear is essential. The moorland section of the walk is exposed with no shelter from rain or winds if the weather is poor. Bring waterproofs.

Food: there will be a stop for lunch and walkers are advised to bring plenty of water, especially if it is hot, and a packed lunch.

Public transport:

Bradford Interchange shuttle bus 662 to Keighley- stop near Keighley Rail Station; 1 minute walk to station and KWVR train at 10am to Oxenhope arriving at 10.25 am; or
Train from Bradford Forster Square station to Keighley Station and change to the 10am KWVR train for Oxenhope Station; or
K14 bus from Keighley Bus Station Hebden Bridge Road/West Drive stop in Oxenhope and walk down Station Road to Oxenhope Station.

Parking : we are grateful to KWVR for permission for walkers who are driving to Oxenhope that they can park in the station overflow car park on Harry Lane. Please try to share cars if you need to come by car as space is limited.

Saturday, 14 June 2025 - Penistone Hill Circular led by Midweek Wayfarers.

Start time and projected finish time: 10.30am with an expected return around 3pm. Come early to spend some time exploring the Wild Uplands art Installation around Penistone Hill - see Bradford 2025 website for more information.

Start and finish point: Penistone Hill Country Park main car park. There are several car parks around Penistone Hill Country Park. The main car park is accessed from Moorside Lane near Tom Stell’s Seat. Go through small parking areas near road and follow the track to the large car park up the hill.

What3words: ///flash.double.magazine . Grid Reference: SE 019363 Post Code: BD22 9RF

Public transport: bus to Haworth and walk over Penistone Hill.

Distance: 6.5 miles

Brief description: the walk includes much of the classic pilgrimage from Haworth Parsonage to Top Withens - reputedly Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights - and the route includes some fine distant views along the way. We leave Penistone Hill Country Park and follow the valley to Bronte Bridge before climbing to The Height and contour round to Top Withens. The circuit continues past Harbour Lodge and back to the Country Park. The paths are verbally quire reasonable but there is a narrow, slippy and steep path between Top Witness and Harbour lodge which requires more care.

Difficulty: the route is moderately difficult.

Clothing: appropriate clothing and footwear for open moorland should be worn.

Food: bring a packed lunch and a drink as the nearest cafes and pubs are in Haworth.

Cost: It is a condition of the group's Public Liability Insurance Policy that all walkers with the group are club Members. One day membership costs £1.

Saturday, 5 July - Stanbury Circular led by Bradford CHA

Start time and projected finish time: 11am with an expected finish time around 3.30pm.

Start and finish point: Stanbury Village School, 22 Main Street, Stanbury, BD22 0HB

What3words: ///typhoon.clever.happening Grid Reference: SE 008369

Public transport: Bronte Bus B1 leaves Keighley Bus Station at 10.25 am. Spaces on the bus are limited. 25 minute journey to Stanbury.

Parking: Parking space in the village is limited . Some road side parking at the top of Back Lane on the verges and we are grateful to Stanbury Primary School for the use of their parking space. Advise using parking space at Penistone Hill and sharing cars into Stanbury wherever possible. Please be considerate to Stanbury residents.

Distance: 8 miles

Brief description: Starting from the school, we pass through some of the nicest countryside Bradford has to offer, passing through Oldfield village, round Ponden Reservoir, across Keighley Moor with views of Boulsworth Hill in the distance. The route will visit the Wolf Stones before returning to Stanbury.

Difficulty: The route is of moderate difficulty with 1300ft of ascent.

Clothing: appropriate clothing and footwear for open moorland should be worn.

Food: bring a packed lunch and a drink.

Cost: free

Saturday, 26 July - Laycock Circular (West) - led by Midweek Wayfarers

Start time and projected finish time: 10.30am with a projected finish time around 3pm.

Start and finish point: Laycock Village Hall, 3 Laycock Lane, Laycock, near Keighley, BD22 0PH

What3words: ///either.fingernails.slides Grid Reference: SE 032410

Public transport: half hourly bus (K1) from Keighley Bus Station. Buses at 9.30am and 10am. 13 minute journey.

Parking: some road side parking but this is very limited. Please share cars or use bus if you can to reduce pressure on limited parking space.

Distance: 7.5 miles

Brief description: The walk starts in Laycock, at the Village Hall, and takes the road and path towards Newsholme Dean. We then follow Broad Head Lane and meet the actual Millennium Way path in open moorland. We follow this path to Keighley Moor reservoir and then follow the road down to Morkin Bridge. We cross Slippery ford (fortunately there is now a bridge) and aim back towards Newsholme Dean via Grey Stones Farm and Bottom Farm (see below) . We then proceed downhill to Goose Eye and finally a climb back up to Laycock.

Difficulty: the route is fairly straightforward for most of the way but between Grey Stones Farm and Bottom Farm the path is very narrow and awkward, with a steep slope down one side. (In wet and muddy conditions it should only be attempted by experienced walkers.)

Clothing: appropriate clothing and footwear should be worn. Boots are strongly recommended.

Food: bring a packed lunch and a drink. The Village Hall will be open before and after the walk for refreshments and use of the toilets.

Cost: it is a condition of the group's Public Liability Insurance Policy that all walkers with the group are club Members. One day membership costs £1.

2025 Programme of all 16 walks

Full details of all the walks will be posted here during the year.

Date	Number	Title of walk	Distance	To be led by (name of walking organisation)
18 January	1	Bracken Hall circular (includes edge of Bingley)	8 miles	Baildon Walkers are Welcome
8 February	2	Bingley circular	6.5 miles	Bingley Walkers are Welcome
1 March	3	Cullingworth circular	7 miles	Midweek Wayfarers
22 March	4	Denholme circular	6.5 miles	Bradford CHA
12 April	5	Oxenhope circular (1)	5 miles	Bradford CHA
3 May	6	Haworth circular	5 miles	Bradford CHA
24 May	7	Oxenhope circular (2)	6.5 miles	Baildon Walkers are Welcome
14 June	8	Penistone Hill circular	6 miles	Midweek Wayfarers
5 July	9	Stanbury Circular	8 miles	Bradford CHA
26 July	10	Laycock Circular (West)	7.5 miles	Midweek Wayfarers
16 August	11	Laycock circular (NE)	10 miles	Baildon Walkers are Welcome
6 September	12	Silsden Circular	6 miles	Midweek Wayfarers
27 September	13	Addingham Circular	8.5 miles	Bradford HF Group
18 October	14	Ilkley circular (West)	9 miles	Burley in Wharfedale Walkers are Welcome
8 November	15	Ilkley Moor circular (South)	10.5 miles	Burley in Wharfedale Walkers are Welcome
29 November	16	Baildon Moor circular	5.5 miles	Baildon Walkers are Welcome

For more information about the groups involved see their websites or Facebook pages:

General information

Public transport

Due to the remoteness of some of the walk starting points, not all walks are convenient for public transport users. However, where time and location allow, our aim is to make as many walks as possible accessible by public transport. Contact MetroLine on 0113 245 7676 or visit www.wymetro.com for full and up to date travel information.

Be prepared for the weather

Walking boots or stout shoes are recommended on all walks, wellington boots are suitable for shorter walks. Waterproofs, extra sweater, hat and gloves are best carried in a small back-pack in preference to a hand held bag.

Dogs

Dogs are not allowed on any of our walks with the exception of guide dogs.

Walkers ability

Due to the very nature of the countryside, walkers may from time to time experience difficulties, whether it be a difficult stile, slippy steps, mud etc.

Food and drink

It is advisable to bring food and drinks on all our walks and activities. The amount of food you bring is of course up to the individual. However, we do recommend that for walks starting before lunchtime you bring a packed lunch.

First aid

Please note that our walk leaders are unable to provide first aid assistance or equipment on our walks. Walkers are asked to have contact details in the front pocket of a rucksack for someone who can be reached in an emergency.

Customer care

On all Bradford’s Countryside and Rights of Way Service Walks the leader will be assisted by a second volunteer whose job it is to look after the tail end of the party. If you are experiencing any difficulties during the walk please let the back-up volunteer know so that any necessary action can be taken. It is also important to let the back-up know if you are leaving the walk.

The Countryside Code

Respect Other People

Please respect the local community and other people using the outdoors. Remember your actions can affect people’s lives and livelihoods.

Consider the local community and other people enjoying the outdoors
Leave gates and property as you find them and follow paths unless wider access is available.

Protect the Natural Environment

We all have a responsibility to protect the countryside now and for future generations, so make sure you don’t harm animals, birds, plants or trees and try to leave no trace of your visit. When out with your dog make sure it is not a danger or nuisance to farm animals, horses, wildlife or other people.

Leave no trace of your visit - take your litter home
Keep dogs under effective control.

Enjoy the Outdoors

Even when going out locally, it’s best to get the latest information about where and when you can go. For example, your rights to go onto some areas of open access land and coastal land may be restricted in particular places at particular times. Find out as much as you can about where you are going, plan ahead and follow advice and local signs.

Plan ahead and be prepared
Follow advice and local signs.

For full details of the Countryside Code visit the Countryside Code page on the gov.uk website.

The Countryside and Rights of Way Service is constantly striving to improve its service to the community, to this end we need help from you the customer. If you have enjoyed your walk please tell your friends. If not, tell us.

Please send your comments to:

The Countryside and Rights of Way Service Manager
Countryside and Rights of Way Service
4th Floor Britannia House
Bradford
BD1 1HX