Holme Valley

Walking (moderate)

Walks will generally start at 10:00 unless otherwise shown (to fit in with public transport). Map numbers refer to the Ordnance Survey 1:25000 range of maps. Estimated durations do not include lunch or other breaks.

Our walks have an experienced leader who will ensure no-one gets left behind. The u3a provides third party insurance for members on the walks but does not cover personal accident/injury - we are all responsible for our own safety.

Stout walking boots or at the very least good walking shoes are recommended and poles are always useful. Always come prepared for the terrain and weather. Winter walking particularly can be very muddy!

If you are wanting less strenuous walks, you may be interested in the Walking (easy) group. This group usually walk for around 2 hours, covering 3-4 miles on routes involving some hills and stiles but avoiding anything too strenuous. Walks are on the 2nd and 4th Thursday mornings of each month. For more information, or if you would like to join this group, please click here - easy walking group – to send an email.

If you are not sure which group would be best for you, drop a line to our Groups Co-ordinator who will put you in touch with relevant group leaders.

To contact the Moderate Walking Group Coordinator please contact Moderate Walking Group

U3A Moderate Walks Schedule January-March 2024

January 4th Cathy & Pete: Ewden Valley
Meet at free carpark on your left on Common Lane, which is a right turn off Town End Lane, just past Stockbridge Golf Course (30 Royd Lane, Deepcar, Sheffield S36 2RZ) Grid reference SK 28404 97075

Town Edge Common and Collin Edge, past the Wantley Dragon. The route then follows the southern side of More Hall reservoir, crosses Broomhead reservoir before climbing up to Bolsterstone and back via Hollin Edge.

Distance: 6.7 miles, elevation gain 981 feet.

January 11th Judith: Lanes from Upper Cumberworth

Meet at the junction of Carr Hill Road and Park Lane. HD8 8NW. GR 208806. Park where you can on the surrounding roads.

The route will take us up to Roydhouse via Gryce Hall. After admiring the view we will drop down through fields to Strike Lane and over to Shelley Woodhouse. Next is to Shepley Station, meandering around railway lines. We’ll return to Kirkburton down Long Lane and up over the fields to the churchyard.

Some fields are wet and some lanes are muddy so poles are advisable.

Distance - approx 6.5 miles. Elevation - approx 400ft

January 18th Debbie: Cheesegate Nab
Meet in New Mill car park (Holmfirth Road, HD9 7JY, map ref SE16245 08899) for start at 10.

A fairly steep climb initially then quite an easy walk round Cheesegate Nab and back via Barnside. Just over 7 miles. It will be very muddy in places, poles recommended.

January 25th Lesley: Meet at Langsett carpark at 9.45 for a 10 am start. The walk is just over 6 miles and generally easy walking. There is some road walking and a couple of hills, but nothing too taxing. It is of course muddy in places. There are magnificent views over the moors to be enjoyed.

February 1st Pierre & Anthea
Meet White Wells Road HD9 1TZ. 10.00

Walk route: Hepworth, Hade Edge, Holm Styes, Longley Farm, Cliffs

Distance: around 7 Miles

February 8th Anthea: Colne Valley / Marsden

WEATHER ALERT: CANCELLED DUE TO FORECAST OF HEAVY SNOW

Around Marsden at a lower level.
Meet Marsden Standedge car park off Station Road, past the National Trust office HD7 6DH - our usual meeting place, for a 10.00 start. The walk joins the Kirklees Way, then by the river to Hey Green, around the base of Pule Hill to Intake and Close Farms , over Butterley Reservoir and then joins the Colne Valley Circular past Piper Stones and down to return along the canal side from Sparth. It reprises the walk I led in November but with an easier ascent at the start and hopefully we can do the full route this time - weather permitting!
Just over 7 miles.

February 15th Terry: Valley Views
Meet at Sands Recreation Ground Car Park HD9 3JE
From Holmfirth we climb to Upperthong, onto Hogley and descend via Long Walls to Holmbridge. Returning to Holmfirth via Cartworth.
7.5 miles 1500 feet ascent.

February 22nd Tim Digley reservoir, to Black Hill and back, which can be shortened if the wind, or other factors, make it uncomfortable.
Meet at Digley reservoir north side car park (HD9 2RS, map ref SE11057 07281) for 10.00a.m. departure. Circular walk on north side of Marsden Clough, with middle excursion to the Pennine Way and Black Hill summit (582m), down, and return via Issues Road. Distance c. 13km (8ml), height gain c.380m (c.1250ft), c. 4hr 45min.

February 29th John & Susie: Wolfstones, Meltham and Upperthong Circular
Meet: Holmfirth Library
Time: 10am
Distance:8 miles
This route is a reasonably challenging 8 mile walk using a variety of tracks + paths. These range from narrow grassy tracks to broad bridleways. The route takes you from Holmfirth Library gradually climbing to Wolfstone Heights an ideal spot to enjoy the extensive views. The path continues through woodland down to Meltham golf course eventually following a delightful path along a stream to join a bridleway gradually rising to meet the A635. The route returns to Holmfirth via the viking village of Upperthong. Beware!

March 7th Lesley: Shelley Welly almost.

Start 10.00 from Kirkburton Car Park, 12 Huddersfield Road. HD8 8LE. GR 199125

The route will take us up Box Ings, towards Shepley, over to Shelley Woodhouse, up to Roydhouse and back to Kirkburton via Gryce Hall.

The terrain is undulating and mainly woods, lanes and fields with good views from Roydhouse.

Distance: Approx 6.5 miles

March 14th Sandy: Meet at Holmfirth bus station for 10 am start.
A circular walk on well known paths from Holmfirth to Scoles and back. It is about 7 miles with an elevation of 825ft. The terrain is varied - likely to be muddy and boggy in places - and involves some road walking.

March 21st Claire STOCKSMOOR
Meet near Stocksmoor Station, parking near the station as we've done before.

Stocksmoor, Kirkburton, Shepley meander

Distance 8 miles

March 28th Cathy Oxspring, Silkstone Common, Thurgoland.

Start: Oxspring Sport Ground next to Wagon & Horses pub. Sheffield Road, Oxspring, S36 8YQ. Map reference SE 27212 01899

Varied terrain with the last 3 miles pretty much on the level.
Muddy in places, but not as bad as many of our walks recently. Poles useful if you normally use them for muddy conditions.

Distance 8.5 miles. Elevation gain 1235 ft

U3A Moderate Walks Schedule APRIL TO JUNE 2024

APRIL 4TH Melvyn NEW MILL
Start at New Mill car park Holmfirth rd HD9 7JY

Look at local mining along with places of interest. Some steep climbs, can be muddy in places. Coal Pit lane, Jackson Bridge, Foster Place, Barnside, Gate Head, Ox Lee, Hepworth.
8 miles in total.

APRIL 11TH Anthea COLNE VALLEY / MARSDEN (TAKE 2)
Around Marsden at a lower level.
Meet Marsden Standedge car park off Station Road, past the National Trust office HD7 6DH - our usual meeting place, for a 10.00 start. The walk joins the Kirklees Way, then by the river to Hey Green, around the base of Pule Hill to Intake and Close Farms , over Butterley Reservoir and then joins the Colne Valley Circular past Piper Stones and down to return along the canal side from Sparth. It reprises the walk I led in November but with an easier ascent at the start and hopefully we can do the full route this time - weather permitting!
Just over 7 miles.

APRIL 18TH Sandy & Lesley Marsden - not the reservoirs.
Meet at the car park by the railway station in Marsden at 9.50 for a 10.00 start. The walk is about 7 miles, generally easy walking but some steep climbs (it is Marsden!). Most of the walk is along good tracks - including the canal path, but there are some very muddy, potentially slippery parts and two streams to cross. Great views of course.

APRIL 25TH Pierre & John HIGHBURTON
From Highburton through Lepton Wood then towards Emley and back through Highburton.
Distance: 8.5 miles

MAY 2ND Debbie LOW BRADFIELD
Meet at car park in Low Bradfield.
Meet at the car park in Low Bradfield. Note that using the post code with satnavs does NOT take you to the car park (it appears to take you to the village shop). Just follow the blue 'P' signs. It is called Sands Car Park and is free. In the unlikely event it is full there is on road parking. The walk takes us around Agden and Dale Dike reservoirs, with a detour to an interesting tower above Strines. Varied terrain, woodland and great views from higher up.
Distance: 8 miles.

MAY 9TH Cathy HAYFIELD CIRCUIT DETAILS TBC

MAY 16TH Susie HONLEY WOODS DETAILS TBC

MAY 23RD Judith EMLEY DETAILS TBC

MAY 30TH Pete EDALE BLOSSOM WALK DETAILS TBC

JUNE 6TH Tim DETAILS TBC

JUNE 13TH Susie 10TH ANNIVERSARY LUNCH WALK Morton Wood DETAILS TBC

JUNE 20TH Anthea MERRYDALE DETAILS TBC

JUNE 27TH Sandy & Judith