Marsden to Holmbridge (anti-clockwise)
- Tough
- Rail access
- Marsden (Leeds/Wakefield, Huddersfield, Manchester Victoria/Piccadilly)
- Brockholes (Huddersfield, Denby Dale, Penistone, Barnsley) - Other access - the Huddersfield Narrow Canal towpath is narrow, slippy in wet weather, has a steep gradient, and there are many locks; British Waterways don't allow cycling here - for the cyclist's sake, and that of other path users. It does offer an extraordinarily pleasant access to the WYCW, though - feel like walking the 7 miles from Huddersfield?
- National Cycle Route connections
- The Pennine Cycleway (National Route 68) passes through, taking a slightly different route from Holmfirth to Hebden Bridge;
- Marsden and Meltham will be connected to Route 66. - Marsden - Sustrans National Cycle Network map for the start of this section (opens in a new window)
Route
Out of the station, drop down towards the village centre - you'll join the WYCR immediately you cross the bridge at the bottom. Turn right along the beck side, and keep going straight ahead until you come to a small roundabout.
My last trip, the signage had gone - you need to turn left. Start climbing, until you get to the crossroads with Meltham road; turn right, and continue the long climb along the edge of Holme Moor. You'll need your wits about you - rather too many grey BMWs, Chelsea tractors, and loonies on fast bikes.
The descent into Meltham is fast! Carry on straight through the village, and start climbing out the other side; you'll come to a left-hand hair-pin bend - but you turn right, to take the steeper, shorter route to the next crossroads.
At the crossroads, look out for the improbable milestone - it SHOULD say "Penistone 11 miles, but has sustained some erosion damage. Have a salacious giggle, then turn right, and continue climbing.
Keep straight ahead, including at the crossroads with the A635, at the Ford Inn, until you come to the fast descent, running beside (but not across) the reservoir, and down into Holme Bridge.
WARNING - the junction at the bottom is dangerous, and the main road is busy; as good a reason as any to get off and have a pint in the Bridge Inn.
To follow the WYCR, turn right, cross the Holme; turn left again, over a second wee beck; and take yet another left to start the climb which skirts around Holmfirth.
[Alternatively, turn left and follow the busy main road through Holmfirth; from memory it is 3-4 miles to reach Brockholes Station, up to the right, well off the main road, and probably another 4 miles to reach Huddersfield.]
On to Denby DaleDiversions
- Contributions welcome!