Calderdale Hike

[Alexandra]

What exactly IS Stoodley Pike? It looks like a massively overbuilt public loo.

I'm afraid it smells a bit like that too. But what a marvellous landmark - even better than the windfarms on the other side of the valley. At the base it provides a bit of much needed shelter in a very bleak place, and you can actually ascend a spiral stair and walk round its balcony - Calderdale's answer to the Eiffel Tour and free entry at all hours of day and night.

[Alexandra]

I must admit I was surprised by how nice the area was. I usually stick to Wharfedale and 3 Peaks area, but parts of that Hobble were lovely scenery. It's always nice to see somewhere new, so fingers crossed I can swing the day off.

Calderdale is a wonderful well-kept secret. Miles and miles more paths than in the famous Dales and probably thousands less people on them. Great variety, as Splatcher says, excellent public transport so you can walk/run from station to station, with little local buses whizzing like bumper cars between villages. Beautiful historic gritstone houses and trods everywhere. Only drawback is the MUD. And if you want to run on the flat, only option is the canal towpath. Everything else is about 1 in 2.

[stevefoster]

Calderdale is a wonderful well-kept secret. Miles and miles more paths than in the famous Dales and probably thousands less people on them. Great variety, as Splatcher says, excellent public transport so you can walk/run from station to station, with little local buses whizzing like bumper cars between villages. Beautiful historic gritstone houses and trods everywhere. Only drawback is the MUD. And if you want to run on the flat, only option is the canal towpath. Everything else is about 1 in 2.

Tis indeed a grand place to live, right about the MUD though, with two kids and a dog (and me) kitchen is always full of it!

Born half a mile up the road from where the Calderdale Hike starts.

[BritNick]

How many vacuum bags do you get through in a year, Steve? More than that, how many rupture through wet rot?

Calderdale is a great, if testing, place for ultra running. I've become quite attached to it over the years.

Splatcher, you ask too many questions.

Alexandra, surely you're being unfair, or my nose is blocked. I've never detected a scent around those parts.

[stevefoster]

How many vacuum bags do you get through in a year, Steve? More than that, how many rupture through wet rot?

Vac's left home in digust Nick, with the mop over it's shoulder, bucket, rag and hands and knee's now!

[Alexandra]

Alexandra, surely you're being unfair, or my nose is blocked. I've never detected a scent around those parts.

Depends which way the gale is blowing.

[Masham Man]

Calderdale is a wonderful well-kept secret. Miles and miles more paths than in the famous Dales and probably thousands less people on them. Great variety, as Splatcher says, excellent public transport so you can walk/run from station to station, with little local buses whizzing like bumper cars between villages. Beautiful historic gritstone houses and trods everywhere. Only drawback is the MUD. And if you want to run on the flat, only option is the canal towpath. Everything else is about 1 in 2.

Sorry don't agree, much prefer the openness of the dales. I find Calderdale deary and claustrophobic, but I do find the industrial past very interesting. Bumper cars telling me! bloody nightmare with the amount of parked cars you have to dodge. Afraid I don't bump into thousands of people on me training runs in the dales.I've done Trog, Hobble,Calderdale and Hebden fine events but give me the Fellsman any day.

[Chris H]

but give me the Fellsman any day.

Better get yer name on the waiting list then

[Masham Man]

Better get yer name on the waiting list then

Not this time matey, will be on Mull

[plodding bear]

Well, I've plotted the Calderdale on my map (many thanx to whoever suggested cutting it down for the Hobble - I've just had to stick it all back together!) and I've just got a couple of questions; is there a two-mile or so on road finish? and is the Lumbutts CP basically on a little dam wall, by Lee Farm?
It looks a good route, with the vast majority being off road, and one or two route options in places.