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Great sky over Castle Hill by Sandie Nicholson

Honley to Farnley Tyas Loop

Distance: c. 5.3 miles / 8.5km

Starting and Finishing Point: Wired Coffee and Cake, Church Street, Honley.

Difficulty Rating: Moderate

Considerations: The route is a steep uphill climb from Honley to Farnley Tyas, but once you reach Farnley Tyas, it is downhill all the way. There are also steps and stiles.

This walk provides magnificent views from Honley across Castle Hill and Holme Moss. It will take you past Upper Park Wood Nature Reserve. In summer months, you may be lucky enough to spot wild strawberries and sweet peas growing among the hedgerows.

It starts and finishes at Wired so take the opportunity to say hello to owners Oliver and Katie who have shared this walk, while you stock up on their freshly baked goods. When you walk back into Church Street, why not enjoy a tipple at The Allied, and a bargain hunt in ReDress Boutique.

  • From Wired, walk down the cobbled Church Street and turn left onto Eastgate.
  • Follow the footpath downhill, past Liz Gill Mortgages, until you come to the traffic lights at Rarebites and another opportunity to stock up on tasty treats.
  • Cross the road so that Social Progress remains on your right.
  • At the next set of traffic lights, cross over New Mill Road and turn right at the bottom of Station Road until you reach Neiley Playing Fields.
  • Head to the far left hand corner of the sports field and pick up the footpath through the woods. The woods are privately owned so stick to the public footpath at all times.
  • Keep following the path up through the woods until you reach a bridge on your left which takes you over a railway line. Stop for a moment to admire the views, with Brockholes Train Station to your right and Honley Train Station to your left.
  • Keep following the footpath which takes you up steps and over stiles.
  • The footpath will take you past a horse arena and will bring you out at a T-junction. Follow the track round to your right until you reach the junction with Gynn Lane. Take a moment to find wild strawberries or sweet peas in summer months.
  • Turn right and in a few hundred yards turn left, and immediately left again, through a gate and into the fields.
  • Make sure you stick to the footpath as you follow it diagonally across the fields.
  • When you reach a barn, follow the footpath along the side of the barn. You should see Castle Hill in front of you.
  • Keep to the footpath that runs to the left boundary of the field. The footpath will then fork to your right and through the field.
  • Spot the bench, catch your breath and enjoy your Wired refreshments while you admire the view from Honley village across to Meltham. Can you spot St Mary’s Church spire? Look a little further and, on a clear day, you will see Holme Moss. Castle Hill will be behind you.
  • At the back of the bench turn left and head down the lane.
Seat with a view over Holme Valley Castle Hill walk by Sandie Nicholson
  • Go through the gate and into a small field. Once you reach the dry-stone wall turn right.
  • Follow the path which, in winter months / wet weather, will take you over a small stream and up some steps before you reach an open field. Once you reach the end of the field, take in the view of Castle Hill to your left.
  • Turn left onto the main road and in front of you look for a row of cottages.
  • Turn right just before the cottages and immediately turn left.
  • When you reach the fields, follow the footpath straight through the fields until you reach a dry-stone wall. Turn left just before it.
  • This will bring you onto Ashes Lane, below Castle Hill. Cross the road, keeping Hey Lane Cemetery on your right.
  • Pick up the footpath that takes you downhill. Walk through a field, over a stile and into the woods. Shortly, you will reach a gate. Spot another bench and admire the view. Oliver and Katie call this “the best view.” They recommend looking between the telegraph poles, saying “it’s as though you are watching Westgate’s steady flow of traffic through a television.” Those with time to spare, can take the opportunity to visit Upper Park Wood Nature Reserve (on your right) and listen to the magnificent birdsong.
  • From the bench, look for the gate and head towards it. Walk through the tunnel and you will find yourself at the Texaco garage on Alpine Corner.
  • Turn left, cross the road and take the footpath on your right, past Steps Industrial Park and towards Magdale.
  • Walk over Magdale Bridge and follow the footpath to your left which takes you through a row of traditional cottages and into Magdale. Admire the waterfall and enjoy the tranquil beauty of the area. Can you spot a kingfisher, heron, tadpoles or ducklings?
  • Cross the white bridge on your left and walk past the wildflower beds.
  • Head up the track to the main gateway, turn right immediately after the gatepost and follow the cobbled footpath known locally as Spider Alley.
  • At the top of Spider Alley, you arrive in St Mary’s Mews. Take the path behind St Mary’s Church and follow it round to the right which will bring you back onto Church Street.

Thanks to Wired for sharing this walk which features in their monthly Wired Walks. If you would like to join their next ramble, you can find all the details on Wired’s social media accounts here.

Fancy a different walk? Click here. How about finishing off your walk with a drink or something to eat? Click here for suggestions. Alternatively after all this exercise why not relax or pamper yourself?
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