Oxenhope Stoop - Top Withins

Paul Shorrock

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The hills of West Yorkshire are modest in height, but the deep valleys, rolling moors and big skies make for memorable walking. In the Haworth area there is an extra attraction, as this is the place where the Bronte family lived, wrote and walked. In fact, it’s almost impossible to walk these moors without bumping into places associated with the Bronte sisters.

So popular is the area, and so widespread the interest in the Bronte sisters, that many of the signposts on the moors have directions in both English and Japanese. Naturally enough Walking World contributors have made a beeline for here, with Jim Grindle's walk 1167 taking you up to Top Withins and Sam Roebuck's walk 1845 striding out in great style over the moors and down to Walshaw.

This walk is slightly less ambitious than Sam's route. Starting from Penistone Hill Country Park you take a gradually rising line on the Bradford Millennium Way, following the moor to the boundary stone of Oxenhope Stoop. From here a short crossing of featureless moor takes you to the Pennine Way, which is followed passing Top Withins on the way. A bit of a meander links up with the Bronte Way down to Bronte Bridge.

This walk is ideal for those without the time, energy or inclination to follow one of the longer routes. Walk it in sunshine, and find rolling moor and long views in the middle section. Walk it in the mist and feel some of the atmosphere of "Wuthering Heights".

England - North England - Yorkshire - Pennines