Route

To stick to the WYCR, leave the station, follow the access road up to the A646, and turn right, in the direction of Sowerby Bridge and Halifax - along the main road (often busy), as far as Mytholmroyd.

[Safer, more practical and pleasant? We use the canal towpath to Mytholmroyd, or there may now be signage for National Cycle Route 68 (The Pennine Cycleway).]

Whichever way you choose to reach Mytholmroyd, get across the river and canal, under the railway, and bear left after the station.   Climb up to Middle Hathershelf Farm, where you turn right; continue climbing until you come to a Tee-junction, and turn left.

At the crossroads (where the road to the left descends to Sowerby), go straight ahead into Mirey Lane.   Through the dog-leg, and bear right at the next junction.   At the next T-junction, turn right again, and follow this minor road along the Ryburn Valley - don't be tempted by the roads that drop down into the valley!   As you pass above Ripponden, bear right twice and follow Blue Ball Road (and old Roman Road) almost to the head of Baitings Reservoir.

Turn left on to the A58, and almost immediately right to descend to the viaduct crossing the reservoir.   Follow the road; you'll come to a junction where the left turn drops to Rishworth - you take the right, which works round to drop to Booth Wood Reservoir.

Turn left on to the A672 for about half a mile, and turn sharp right to descend to the bottom of Booth Dean Clough.   The road curves round to descend the valley - after a mile, turn right to start the climb to Ringstone Edge Reservoir.

Very soon after you pass the dam structure, turn right to cross the M62 on the Scammonden Bridge.

At the head of Scammonden Water, take a left and follow the road round the reservoir.   Take a right to climb to the A640, where you turn left.   After half a mile, bear right behind Pole Moor, and follow the lanes working up one side of Bradshaw Clough, and back down the other side.   You'll come to a right turn which descends steeply towards Marsden - take this road.   A sharp left hand bend drops you faster, to allow you to turn right under the railway line.   Follow this road into Marsden.

On to Holmbridge

Diversions