Hardcastle Crags Circular Walk in West Yorkshire

If you love a trail that leads you through lush valleys next to fairy-tale streams and with a chance to learn some history along the way, then this Hardcastle Crags trail is the perfect match for you.

In this blog post you’ll have the chance to see epic landscapes and rock formations. You’ll walk through unspoiled woodland that looks like the set of an enchanted forest. Along the way you will listen to the sound of the hundreds of smaller and larger waterfalls cascading through the rocks. Last but not least, you’ll be able to dive into the history of a 19-century mill and the remains of an old railway bridge.

If you’d like to see our Hardcastle Crags circular walk then make sure to watch our YouTube video by clicking here.

About Hardcastle Crags

Located approximately 2 miles (3.2 km) to the north of Hebden Bridge and 10 miles (16 km) west of Halifax in West Yorkshire is Hardcastle Crags. The valley is 400 acres of unspoiled woodland owned by the National Trust.

The name ‘Crags’ doesn’t actually refer to ‘steep cliffs’ but to the stacks of millstone grit which are a part of the landscape.

Hardcastle Crags is crossed by about 15 miles (24 km) of footpaths, so you have plenty to choose from. If you’re only planning on exploring a short section of the valley there are a few different short but scenic and easy to follow circular walks you can pick from. (But I guarantee that once you start your trail, you will want to see more of it.)

The most popular ones are hands down the Railway Trail and the Mill Walk. They are both around 3 miles (4.8 km) long and they both incorporate Gibson Mill in the route. (There will be more information about Gibson Mill and other features later in the post.) Obviously, depending on your interest, there are additional trails you can take such as the Tree Trail or the Estate Track. 

How to get to Hardcastle Crags

By Car: If you’d like to do the same route we did then the most convenient place to park is at Heptonstall Social and Bowling Club. The exact address is: Towngate Car Park, Heptonstall, Hebden Bridge, HX7 7LW. You can park there for free all day, but donations are encouraged. 

If you’re only planning on doing the Hardcastle Crags walking route, then you can just park at one of the two designated car parks for the trail: Clough Hole Car Park (Post code: HX7 7AZ) and Midgehole Car Park (Post code: HX7 7AA). National Trust members can park there for free, but non-members have to pay £5 (coins only).

If you don’t have your own car but would like to enjoy the freedom of a private vehicle, then you can always hire a car to get to Hardcastle Crags.

By Public Transport: Hebden Bridge has a train station which provides services to destinations such as Leeds, Manchester, York, Wigan and Blackpool. If you’re coming from further afield I recommend taking the train to Hebden Bridge. From there there’s a local bus (Bus 596) that runs through Heptonstall quite regularly. Alternatively, you can just walk, as it only takes about 25 minutes between the two towns. Make sure to plan your journey with Trainline which also provides information on bus fares.

Top Tip – If you’re planning on travelling across the UK by train a lot, then check out some Railcard options which allow you to save some pennies on your train fares.

By Bike: Both National and Local Cycle Routes run in the vicinity of Hardcastle Crags, so you have plenty of cycling trails to choose from.

Good to Know Before You Go

Entry Fee to Hardcastle Crags

Although it’s a National Trust site, it’s completely FREE to explore Hardcastle Crags for both members and non-members. Yippie!

There’s no pre-booking required either, but I recommend arriving early to avoid crowds.

Please Note – If you’re planning on parking at either Clough Hole Car Park or Midgehole Car Park you have to pay £5 unless you’re a National Trust member. You can read about the different kinds of membership by clicking here.

Length of the Hardcastle Crags Walking Route

This Hardcastle Crags walking trail was about 15 km (9.3 miles) long. Depending on your speed and how long you are spending taking photos or stopping for a picnic, this route could take between 4 and 5 hours. 

We started the walk from the Heptonstall Social and Bowling Club’s car park and circled around on top of the valley above Colden Water. From there, we reached the stepping stones from where the ‘official’ Hardcastle Crags routes start. We walked to Gibson Mill then explored Hardcastle Crags before heading to the Stone Stanchions. After seeing the remains of the railway bridge we carried back on along the other side of the valley towards Lumb Falls. From there we headed back to the car park by following the Crimsworth Dean Beck. 

It’s a pretty long route, so obviously you can shorten it by only completing the Railway Trail or Gibson Mill Walk Trail at Hardcastle Crags. 

Top Tip – Make sure you start your walk as early as possible if you come on a weekend. Alternatively, I suggest coming on a weekday if you can. This is a popular area, so expect the interesting features such as Gibson Mill or Lumb Falls to be busier especially on a nice day. 

Level of Difficulty

I would rate the route we did as easy to moderate, but you can complete it with a basic level of fitness. You’ll be walking through three valleys so there will be a lot of ups and downs. You’ll also need to cross Hebden water via a set of stepping stones. 

The footpath through Hardcastle Crags is well maintained but the rest can be uneven, rocky and dotted with tree roots. The path can also get muddy when wet. Therefore, I recommend wearing the right footwear like trainers or boots. 

On this particular route you will only be really exposed when walking through a field after leaving the Stone Stanchions and before you reach Lumb Falls. For the rest of the walk, you’ll be mainly walking through the woodland, so I think this walk could be a great activity even in slightly worse weather conditions. 

Facilities Around Hardcastle Crags Trail

Cafés and picnic spots: I highly recommend packing your own lunch and if the weather is lovely stop for a picnic. There are many great places to have a break:

You can stop for a quick break at the stepping stones. Gibson Mill is also a great place to rest as they have tables and benches where you can properly sit down. You can also take a rest on top of Hardcastle Crags. Lumb Falls is also perfect for a quick coffee stop.

Please Note! – You cannot have BBQ’s or any kind of open fire in the area, so make sure you pack an appropriate picnic.

If you’d like to grab a coffee or tea and a bite to eat, you can do that at the Weaving Shed Café at Gibson Mill. There are also places to eat in Heptonstall and Hebden Bridge.

Toilet facilities: Toilet facilities are available at Gibson Mill and along Midgehole Road. 

What to Wear and Bring With You?

You are in Yorkshire in the north of England so weather conditions tend to change quickly. At the time of our visit it was mainly dry and sunny but we still got caught in a hailstorm. Whilst you’ll be sheltered in the woodland for the most part, there will be sections where you’ll be exposed. Therefore, I recommend weather appropriate clothing when going on this particular walk. Make sure you check the weather forecast before you set off and have a few layers with you. 

I also suggest wearing supportive walking shoes or boots as the path can be uneven and muddy when wet. You’ll need to hop over some stepping stones so you might want to consider wearing waterproof shoes in case the river is high after too much rain.

I also suggest packing some snacks and having water with you. There are plenty of beautiful places to stop for a picnic or a quick break. 

Please Note! – Whatever you bring with you, make sure you either take it home with you or dispose of it responsibly. Enjoy your time in nature but Leave No Trace!

Hardcastle Crags Walking Trail

This area of Hardcastle Crags is full of amazing walking routes (15 miles of footpaths to be exact) and many features to see. Therefore, it attracts a great amount of people especially on a lovely weekend.

I must admit the large number of zig-zagging paths confused us a few times, but don’t worry you can’t really get lost. If you’d like to do the exact route we did, I divided it into 6 sections following the main attractions along the trail. (Please also refer to my Alltrails map above for directions.)

1. Heptonstall Car Park to Hebden Beck Stepping Stones

We started our trail from Heptonstall Social and Bowling Club and headed to the left following a narrow footpath. In a few minutes time you’ll reach a stunning viewpoint over the first valley that runs along Colden Water. You’ll need to just follow the footpath that hugs the ridge of Eaves Wood. The views from here are really amazing and there are plenty of big rocks to sit on and enjoy it for a bit.

After you’re ready to carry on, just follow the path until you reach Green Lane. Again there will be a footpath sign leading you onto Murking Lane. Turn right at the first opportunity. The path here actually passes next to the back gardens of a few houses. If you see someone in the garden make sure to be polite and say hi.

At the end you’ll reach Slack Road which you have to cross, so be cautious. After crossing, carry on through Heptonstall Baptist Cemetery. You’ll soon reach another fork in the road. Here, go left and start descending towards Hebden Water. You’ll pass Hebden Hey Scout Camp Site on your right. The stepping stones should appear any second now.

2. Hebden Beck Stepping Stones to Gibson Mill

After hopping over the stepping stones, follow the path on your left. You’ll need to follow this until you reach Gibson Mill, one of the main attractions along this trail. 

Gibson Mill was built around 1800 and it was actually one of the first water powered cotton mills built at the start of the Industrial Revolution. About a hundred years later, in the 1900s, it was used as an entertainment emporium for the locals. It fell into disuse after World War II until the National Trust took over in 1950. The mill was renovated to be 100% self-sufficient in energy, water and waste treatment. It is now a grade II listed building and was opened to the public in 2005. The mill wasn’t open at the time of our visit, but when restrictions allow you can see the exhibition about the history of the mill and its workers.

Lower Mill Pond is located behind Gibson Mill which is perfectly still providing you with the most beautiful reflection of the mill. Make sure to use the opportunity to take some epic reflection photos.

3. Gibson Mill to Hardcastle Crags

Your next feature on the trail will be Hardcastle Crags. Follow the main trail to the north from Gibson Mill and you should see a sign towards the crags on your left. You’ll need to climb up a bit, but soon you’ll see the cool gritstone formations. You can walk along the top and admire the view from there. 

Please Note! – There are some cool rocks you might want to climb onto. (I fully intended to do just that.) Climbing up looked easy! However, unless you have long legs, it might be a bit tricky to climb down. So just check it first before you start climbing up!

After you’re ready to move on, you can slowly descend from Hardcastle Crags along a narrow footpath. If you’re unsure of that, you can always go back the way you came up and just follow the main path which you’ll join onto anyways. 

4. Hardcastle Crags to Stone Stanchions (Railway Bridge)

From Hardcastle Crags, just follow the trail with Hebden Water on your right. This section of the walk was quite enchanting. The trees had started to bloom and the woodland was pretty lush with bluebells carpeting the grass along the sides of the path. 

Along the trail you’ll pass a little fishing hut. If you’d like to shorten your trail, you can just cross the bridge here and carry on up the other side of the valley. However, if you’d like to check out the remains of a Railway Bridge, then stay on the path. This section of the walk was very pretty so take your time and enjoy your surroundings. 

You’ll soon reach a sign that points you to a set of steps (150 to be exact…yes we counted them!). This is the official path, and you can have a look at the stanchions from above. However, you can also follow the path a bit longer and get closer to the Stone Stanchions that way. (You’ll need to backtrack a bit as this isn’t the official path!)

So what are these Stone Stanchions?

In 1902 a railway used to run between Slack and the construction site of Walshaw Dean Reservoirs. A wooden trestle bridge was purposefully built to carry workers and materials to the site across Hebden Dale. In order to house workers and their families a temporary town was also built, called Dawson City. 10 years later, in 1912, when the works on the reservoirs finished, the bridge was demolished and now only these stone stanchions remain. 

5. Stone Stanchions to Lumb Falls

After leaving the Stone Stanchions, walk up the steep steps and carry on along the trail which will circle back on the other side of the valley. Again you can stay higher or lower. Once you’ve made your way back and nearly reached the little Fishing Hut head higher up through the woodland. Don’t forget to check out some of the bigger waterfalls here on your right! Whilst there’s no proper access to them, you can definitely admire them from the footpath. 

Upon leaving the woodland, you have to walk through a field that leads you to Walshaw. Follow the footpath that will lead you to a large section of open moorland. (Please note that they’ll probably have live stock in these fields so be cautious especially during lambing and calving season.)

I must admit that this part of the walk was a bit boring, and after being on the trail for a long time it felt like the field would never end. However, you’ll be quite high up here, so the views were lovely! When you think you cannot walk any longer on this field, you’ll reach a section that is filled with abandoned barns. It’s quite interesting, but make sure you don’t walk inside any of them as they are unstable!

This section of the trail is also shared by cyclists so be aware of them. You’ll need to make your way downhill at the fork in the road passing more abandoned buildings on your right. You’ll hear Lumb Falls before you see it. 

6. Lumb Falls to Heptonstall Car Park

I personally think that Lumb Falls is very beautiful and it was worth the long trek to get there. At the time of our visit it was relatively quiet, but after reading some reviews online, it can get seriously crowded. So try to time your visit during a quieter time or when the weather isn’t perfect. Much of the surrounding area is private land, so be respectful. It could be a perfect picnic spot but BBQs are NOT allowed! 

Please Note! – I read that many people leave their rubbish behind so don’t be one of them and take everything you brought with you home. If you could carry it to the falls you can most certainly carry it back home!

From Lumb Falls you’ll need to walk through the third valley to get back to Heptonstall. This section was very pretty and similar to Hardcastle Crags. You’ll follow Crimsworth Dean Beck which will lead you to Midgehole Car Park where most people park. They have toilet facilities here and other basic amenities.

From there, you’ll need to make your way back to Heptonstall. The path will take you through the village so you can wander around its narrow streets if you wish, before returning to your vehicle.

Additional Things to do in Yorkshire

Yorkshire is definitely a county that is filled with amazing places to see. Whilst I’ve only spent a short time in the Yorkshire Dales before, I’m keen on returning as soon as possible to explore more of this area of England.

In the meantime, if you enjoy visiting waterfalls then I highly recommend checking out my waterfall focused blog post from the Yorkshire Dales by clicking here.

Final Thoughts on Hardcastle Crags

I genuinely didn’t have super high expectations for Hardcastle Crags. Since the Hardcastle Crags trail on its own is generally a shorter and easier route, I knew it would be very popular too. However, this trail just blew my mind! I can totally see why it’s so popular, although at the time of our visit, which was a weekend too, there were hardly any people on the trail.

Obviously, walking along a less busy route is always a win for me, but honestly the trail itself put a spell on me. The views for the first part of the walk were just so beautiful and reminded me of Matlock Bath. Then as soon as we entered the Hardcastle Crags section of the walk I thought we’d entered an enchanted forest. I loved walking along the path surrounded by lush green trees and endless bluebells and listening to the sound of the millions of small waterfalls cascading through the valley. This whole section reminded me of Padley Gorge in the Peak District National Park, which is one of my ultimate fairyland-like walks. 

Have you ever been to Hardcastle Crags or West Yorkshire before? If so, how much of the area did you manage to explore? Let me know in the comments below.