Warley Moor and High Brown Knoll

Paul Shorrock

You need to log in as a member of Walkingworld to access the details for this walk and have an active subscription. Please join, or log in above if you are already a member.

One thing that can almost always be guaranteed in a moorland walk in West Yorkshire is variety – a combination of great views, history, old industry and modern convenience make the walking here hard to equal. The valleys still show the scars dating back to the Industrial Revolution, but the moors are wide open spaces with long views and big skies.

This walk makes a logical circuit from Chiserley above Hebden Bridge, crossing Midgley Moor, Warley Moor and High Brown Knoll. The start point is high above Hebden Bridge at 260 metres, making for what appears to be an easy day out, so how does a walk like this include a height gain of 430 metres? Simple really, the route drops into the Luddenden Valley, losing 130m on the way, before rising 200m across Warley Moor!

A good principle that is worth following in hillwalking is to avoid unnecessary loss of height that then has to be regained, but it really isn't that bad in this case, with half of the height gain being disposed of in a mere 600m of walking. Beyond there the uphill is hardly noticeable as the route makes its way up the moor.

From Warley Moor Reservoir the pace of the route moves up a gear as it follows the line of a drainage ditch that directs water to the reservoir. It's just like walking alongside a canal and the height gain is no more than 3m over almost 3km! A gradual 30m height gain to High Brown Knoll marks the end of all the climbing and the start of a gradual descent back to the start point.

England - North England - Yorkshire - Calderdale

Features

Great Views, Industrial Archaeology, Lake/Loch, Moor, Pub, Public Transport

7/4/2014 - Steve Barnes

As well as a fellow walker I also ride mountain bikes in this area - I've stopped to take a look at the new proposed route and yes it is a track that takes you around the alternate side of the reservoir. For noting its annoying for us mountain bikers too that the gates are locked as it leads to permissive access for some good off-road mountain bike routes. We just lift our bikes over the gates - understand that's not for everyone though. Enjoy - its a great area.

5/8/2014 - Paul Shorrock

Thanks to Frances for pointing that out. I haven't been out to check this yet, but looking at the OS map and Google Earth there seems to be an alternative way as follows (If any other members of the Walking World community complete this before I have a chance to survey it, your comments would be very welcome) - 'At Wm. 14 continue along the road with the reservoir below and on your left, until level with the far end of the reservoir (1.3kms/about 20 mins). At that point (Grid Ref SE 0326 3232) a vehicle width track drops down to the left to a wide metal gate, with a wooden kissing gate to the right. Go through the kissing gate onto access land, and follow the track. Further on it narrows to a path - follow that until you reach the right hand end of the dam as seen from the road. At that point pick up Wm. 16 and follow the path on the left side of the large drainage ditch.' Paul Shorrock

5/3/2014 - Frances Smith

Waypoint 13 - There is no access to Warley Moor Reservoir now, the gate is locked and seems to be for the sole use of Halifax sailing club. We did trespass, but then found our way barred again by a gate which some of us climbed over and some under (with difficulty)! I think if you carry on up the road at this point you can access the other end of the reservoir and get by that way - but haven't tried that route.