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Five autumn walks you can get to by bus and train in the five West Yorkshire districts
26 September 2019Autumn is now upon us 
. The leaves are changing colour and floating to the ground to pave the way for you to enjoy a picturesque walk in the crisp autumn air.
To help you appreciate those autumnal colours here’s five autumn walks across the five districts of West Yorkshire that you can access by bus and train. They all have one thing in common – they’re all beautiful places that will refresh your body and mind.
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Kirklees - Holme to Digley Reservoir
Time: 1hr 30 mins
Walk length: 2 miles
By bus: Nearest Stop - Woodhead Rd, Meal Hill Road – Served by the 314
Holme Village near Holmfirth is the gateway to so many fantastic walks and is popular with walkers and cyclists alike with the Tour de France famously passing through the area in 2014. Walkers will have an abundance of wonderful trails in Holme as in the area includes sections of the Kirklees Way, the Pennine Way and the Holme Valley Circular Walk.
Easily accessible by bus and perfect for the family is the Holme to Digley Reservoir route. Hop on the 314 service from Huddersfield Bus Station to Holme via Holmfirth and hop off in the Village of Holme. From here make your way down to Digley Reservoir which is only a short walk from Holme Village and enjoy the beautiful orbital route of the reservoir which can be accessed from the Car Park (HD9 2QD), from there follow the trail around. Digley Reservoir is set right in the heart of the Holme Valley with some wonderful views over the reservoir and the Peak District hills beyond. The orbital route is around 1.2 miles along and consists of a series of easy paths alongside woods, through fields and the edge of the moor. Full details for the Digley Reservoir walk can be found here on the Walking Dad’s website.
Bradford – Saltaire Canal Walk
Time: 45 minutes (but leave time to explore the wonderful Saltaire)
Walk length: 1.5 miles
By bus: Nearest stop served frequently - Bingley Road, Victoria Prk (5 minute walk from Saltaire centre) – served by a number of buses
By train: 2 minute walk from Saltaire Train Station
Easily accessible by both bus and train from Leeds and Bradford, why not take a stroll along the Leeds – Liverpool Canal in Saltaire. The train will take you right into the heart of Saltaire Village and from there make your way down the leafy canal to Swingbridge Footbridge. From here you can cross the canal and make your way back up into Saltaire and discover the rich history of this World Heritage site. This lovely old textile village has an abundance of things to do and is a great go and stroll destination. Full details on the walk along the Canal can be found on the Canal and River Trust website.
Calderdale – Hardcastle Crags
Walk length: However long or short you wish to make it
By bus: Nearest Stop - Keighley Road, Midgehole Road – Served by 594, 599 and B3 Bronte Bus
By train: 35 minute walk from Hebden Bridge Train Station
Hardcastle Crags is a fantastic spot to enjoy 400 acres of unspoilt woodland, consisting of 15 miles of footpaths next to beautiful waterfalls, enchanting streams and Gibson Mill which is situated beside Hebden Water. Built in the early 19th century, Gibson Mill was one of the first mills of the Industrial Revolution. It now houses changing exhibitions throughout the year and a visitor centre telling the history of the valley over the last 200 years.
The walk can be as hard or as easy as you want to make it as the National Trust have put in waymarked walking routes which cater for all abilities. You can plan out your walk at the Visitor Centre when you arrive. Full details can be found on the National Trust website.
Leeds – The Dales Way Link
Time: It’s an all dayer this one
Walk length: 20 miles
By bus: Nearest Stop - Woodhouse Lane, Clarendon Road - served by a number of buses from and towards Leeds City Centre
By train: 15 minute walk from Burley Park Train Station
One for the more advanced walkers, the Dales Way Link is a 20 mile route that you will need to set aside a whole day to complete, but it will definitely be worth it! Starting in Woodhouse Moor, you will be able to take in the beautiful autumn colours in Adel Woods, the glorious views from Otley Chevin and the famous landscape of The Cow and Calf.
Woodhouse Moor is not too far from Leeds City Centre and is easy to get to by both bus and train, it’s just a 15 minute walk from Burley Park Train Station as well as being served by a series of bus routes, all of which can be found here on WY Metro website.
The walk finishes at Old Bridge in Ilkley which is right next to Skipton Road where numerous buses pass by, so you can either hop on the bus home for buses towards Leeds and Bradford or Ben Rhydding Train Station is a 30 minute walk away. A full run down of the buses that pass by can be found here at WYMetro.com.
Full details of the walk can be found here on the LDWA website.
Wakefield – Heath Common
Time: From 1 to 3 hours
Walk length: from 2.5 miles to 5.5 miles
By bus: Nearest bus stop - Doncaster Road, Black Road – Served by numerous services from and to Wakefield, Castleford, Pontefract, Knottingley and Leeds.
Lots of walks can be plotted and mapped around this area with numerous footpaths and bridleways to the smaller commons at Warmfield, Goosehill and Kirkthorpe connecting you to all sorts of hidden gems such as the pond at Goosehill and the village stocks at Kirkthorpe. There are 3 main walks for this area which can be extended as you please. One is a 2.5 mile circular walk through fields and Heath Common. You can do an extended version of the 2.5 mile circular walk which takes in Goosehill common as well and takes it up to 4 miles or you can extend it even further 5.5 miles to include Warmfield Common as well.
Full details of the three routes can be found here:
Heath Common to Kirkthorpe – 2.5 mile circular
Heath Common to Goosehill – An extended 4 mile walk
Heath Common to Warmfield – An even further extended 5.5 mile walk
All walks start at Heath Common which is well served by buses from Wakefield, Castleford, Pontefract, Knottingley and Leeds along Doncaster Road which is a 5 minute walk from Heath Common. A full run down of the services can be found here on the WYMetro.com.
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