WALK ROUTES
Slaithwaite walk
Organised by Keith King
Sunday February 11th 2018
Colne Valley, Huddersfield
OS MAP: OL21 Explorer South Pennines
Burnley, Hebden Bridge, Keighley & Todmorden
All walks have muddy stretches and more climbing than usual.
High boots, poles and gaiters recommended.
6 mile stroll
From Slaithwaite towards Marsden along Colne Valley Circular Walk (CVCW) to Hey Laithe Farm, then directly into Marsden. Return along the canal.
Short Walk 8 miles walk leader Neil Weaver
As above to Marsden, then rejoin CVCW north and east to Stonyfield, then south back to Slaithwaite.
Medium Walk 11 miles walk leader Keith King
Follow CVCW all the way, going through Netherley and Marsden to Cupwith Reservoir, then along Kirklees Way to Laund.
Go southeast and follow short walk route back.
Long Walk 14 miles walk leader Dave Fothergill
Follow CVCW all the way, going to Netherley, then west and north east to Standedge Trail to Little Nab End.
Go east to rejoin Kirklees Way at Tunnel End, then follow it to Scammonden FB.
Go round west side of Scammonden to M62. Go east adjacent M62, then south through carpark to KW. Return as medium walk.
Further information:
Slaithwaite is in the Borough of Kirklees, in West Yorkshire. It lies in the Colne Valley, lying across the River Colne and the Huddersfield Narrow Canal.
Slaithwaite Hall, thought to date from the mid-15th century, is located on a nearby hillside. It is one of a number of cruck framed buildings clustered in this area. After many years divided into cottages, the building has been extensively restored and is now a single dwelling .
Legend has it that local smugglers caught by the excise men tried to explain their nocturnal activities as 'raking the moon from the canal' and definitely not as 'fishing out smuggled brandy' and so is now home to the bi-annual Moonraking Festival, with a week of lantern making and a programme of storytelling in February. The next festival will take place in 2019.
Slaithwaite is also the only village in England to have a canal running alongside its main street.
