Today’s Walks
Strenuous Leader: Rowland Nock Distance: 10 miles
From the car park we head out round Haworth Church and then off towards Penistone Hill along the Milennium Way. We then join the Bronte Way via the beautiful Bronte waterfalls and onto the Withins ruins, reputed to be the setting for Wuthering Heights. We then retrace our steps for a short while and head off round Harbour Hill via Harbour Lodge over Haworth Moor. We then wend our way through the beautiful Yorkshire countryside towards Oxenhope, From Oxenhope we return to Haworth following the river and the steam railway, as used in the film the “Railway Children”. Hopefully there will be time for a well earned tea and tiffin in Haworth.
Moderate Leader: Sue Daniels Distance: 8.5 miles
The walk follows the Worth Way for the whole of the day. From Haworth we make our way over to Oakworth where the views look down on to the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway and the River Worth. Actually the views of the whole surrounding area are great and if you look to the right you can see the hill we will be ascending which has a fairly steep climb for about 15 minutes. The day of the pre-walk was dry so cannot say if the paths will be muddy if it’s raining on the day, but from what I could tell they seem fairly solid. Only about three or four stiles to climb over but one rather narrow gap which requires a lot of breathing in!! All in all, a very pleasant and interesting walk.
Leisurely Leader: Maurice Hall Distance : 7.5 miles
We head for Bronte Moor and rest a while at the Bronte Seat, South Dean Beck. Moving on to Top Withens, we then walk Pennine Way to Lower Heights Farm, descending to the village of Stanbury. We cross the dam of Laithe Reservoir for return leg to Haworth. No Wuthering Heights and no Heathcliffs. Gradual gradients, open moorland, plenty of Jane Eyre. Subarashi!
Easy Leader: Norma Carmichael Distance: 5-6 miles
Starting from the Church, we follow the footpath past the cemetery. Keeping to the footpath we turn right past the farm – slight incline. We can take our time following this path which opens out onto open ground. Keeping on this path which may be uneven in parts we continue towards Brontes Chair and Falls, passing an old farm house on the right. Once we reach the Falls we stop for lunch. We continue uphill (a gradual climb) over two fields and stiles past Lower Withens onto part of the Pennine Way. We are on even surface for a mile or two coming down towards Stanbury village where, time permitting, we can stop for toilet and refreshment, which may be obtained at the local pub. Then onto the last leg through the village back to Haworth. Mostly an even path but a short part of the walk may be on the road.