Honley to Meltham circular (via Folly Dolly Falls)
Distance: c. 9.16 miles / 14.75 km
Starting and finishing point: Southgate, near Honley Cricket Club, Honley
Considerations: This route is both on- and off-road with some hills to negotiate so please wear suitable clothing and footwear. Please follow the countryside code and always shut gates behind you.
From the Cricket Club the route takes you all the way up Bradshaw Road to Wood Nook, where you join a footpath that skirts Meltham golf club and brings you out on Wilshaw Road. Head down into Meltham, via the Pleasure Grounds, pass Meltham Mills before joining Meltham Greenway, where you can visit Folly Dolly Falls.
Meltham Greenway brings you out by Morrisons, where you can join Huddersfield Road, before cutting through a footpath back to Meltham Mills. Head up the hill and join the footpath that takes you into Honley Woods. There are several paths through the woods. You can follow the top of the hillside and join Meltham Road at Wood Nook or continue through the woods to join Wood Bottom Road or the bridle path that leads to Scotgate Road.
Return to the village and enjoy well-deserved refreshments at one of the many pubs, bars or cafes.
Warning: The walk includes country roads with no pavements and hilly, uneven paths. Please make sure you take care and walk with others if possible.
Directions:
At the entrance to Honley Cricket Club, take the track to the right.
Continue up the path at the side of the recreation ground and exit on Jagger Lane.
Cross the road, turn right and immediately take the snicket on the left.
Continue straight ahead along the railing pathway through the housing estate until you reach Stony Lane.
Turn right and walk straight ahead until you reach The Foresters Arms on your right.
Turn left and continue up Bradshaw Road for approximately 1-mile.
Just before you reach the brow of the hill, turn right at the crossroads on to Wood Nook Lane.
Follow the lane for about half a mile, until it turns sharp right by a house.
Take the footpath that goes straight ahead, through the driveway of the house.
Join the lane that takes you into the woods – look out for the ruins of Lower Cote, which you’ll find hidden in the woods.
At Lower Cote, follow the path to the south, through the woods to Lower Greave Road in Meltham.
Turn right onto Wilshaw Road and continue straight ahead towards Meltham.
At the crossroads, go straight ahead on to Netherthong Road, then stay left as it merges on to Holmfirth Road.
By the bus stop on your right (opposite the turning to Royd Road) is the entrance to Meltham Pleasure Grounds.
Turn right into the Pleasure Grounds and follow the path alongside Thick Hollins Dike to Meltham Mills Road.
Exit the Pleasure Grounds, turn left and follow Meltham Mills Road to the junction with Huddersfield Road.
Cross Huddersfield Road (take care), turn right and walk up the hill for 0.3 mile.
Turn left at the wooden gates on to Meltham Greenway.
Follow Meltham Greenway to the end (just over half a mile). On the way, take the signed detour to visit Folly Dolly Falls, but take care as the path is steep and can be slippery.
Meltham Greenway exits at The Cobbles (back of Meltham Morrisons supermarket).
Continue straight ahead along the footpath at the back of the houses, which takes you to Morrisons car park.
Use the steps on the left to climb up to Near Lane and continue straight ahead until you reach Huddersfield Road.
Turn left and continue down the hill for about 100 yards.
Look out for Bishops Way on the right.
Just past Bishops Way (before you reach the nursing home), take the public footpath on the right.
Follow the footpath until it exits on Mill Bank Road.
Turn left and continue to the junction with Meltham Mills Road.
Turn right and follow the road around to the left which turns into Knowle Lane as it climbs the steep hill.
When you reach the terrace houses (on the right) take the footpath on the left, which runs through the industrial estate and into Honley Wood.
There are several routes to take:
- Exit the woods at Wood Bottom Road and follow Scotgate Road back to the village
- Exit the woods on the track at Hassocks Lane:
- Go straight ahead on to Scotgate, or
- Take one of the footpaths or bridle paths on the right to join Meltham Road, where you can turn left and head back to the village.
At the roundabout by the library, take the exit that takes you up the hill to Westgate and you’ll return to the village.
Here you’ll find plenty of pubs, bars and cafes for a well-earned rest and refreshments.
Southgate is on your right just below the second zebra crossing and past the village car park.
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Thanks to Wandering Wildflower for this walk. To find more walks in the area take a look at their website – Wandering Wildflower