Walks: Haworth moors and Penistone Hill

There are a number of car parks in Haworth. Choose one and head towards the church and the Bronte Parsonage.

It is worth visiting the Parsonage before the walk to gain a feel for the tough upbringing they had. In turn this will bring a greater appreciation to the walk. The path heads up the south side of St Michael and All Angels Church, an impressive building where the father of the Bronte sisters was Reverend for 41 years (and rather sadly outlived all five daughters). Beyond the church the path bears left for 200 metres, passing a car park on the left. After 200m take the signed lane to the right which climbs steeply for a further 250 metres before meeting a minor road. Cross the road and take the footpath heading south west.

Penistone Hill map (Image: Submitted)

The path climbs on to Penistone Hill. The distinctive moonscape appearance of Penistone Hill is the result of sandstone quarrying, popular in the 19th century and only ceasing in the 1960s.

The resulting landscape is a myriad of heather moors and craters filled with small tarns that are cross crossed by a number of paths. A trig point marks the high point at 314 metres providing some pleasant views.

What is most noticeable about the views is the deeply cut, dark valleys. It is a river eroded landscape creating the narrow valleys, not the U shaped glaciated valleys of the Yorkshire Dales.

Choose one of the many paths and head in a generally western direction until descending to meet a road. Turn right and follow it downhill (the distance depends on where you met the road!) to a footpath heading in to the moors.

This path picks its way through the heather until it meets a wider track. Turn left and follow the track to the Bronte Bridge and Bronte Seat. It is a fine spot. Turn left/south at the bridge and head up on the narrow path past the waterfall.

Penistone Hill sign (Image: Submitted)

Care needs to be taken at first but soon a wider track is met just short of Harbour House Farm.

From the farm turn back east and take the major farm/shooting track across the moors. This is a large grouse moors, managed for the preservation of the young grouse and the yearly shoots. The views are tremendous and because the track is so easy the eye is drawn to the vastness of the moors. Lovely!

On meeting the road after one-and-a-half miles turn right briefly and then take the quiet road opposite. Follow the road for one mile (it turns sharply left after half a mile) till it meets your outbound route under Penistone Hill.

I have tried various footpaths above Haworth but they are in variable (and often wet) condition so recommend staying to the road and lane on returning to the town.

* Fact Box:

Distance: Roughly five miles (8km).

Height to Climb: 150m (500 feet)

Start: SE 030372. There are a number of car parks in Haworth but aim for the church to start the walk.

Difficulty: Easy/Medium. Generally the paths are excellent and straightforward to follow.

Refreshments: Haworth is full of interest with excellent cafes and pubs.

Be Prepared: The route description and sketch map only provide a guide to the walk. You must take out and be able to read a map (O/S Explorer OL21) and in cloudy/misty conditions a compass (essential on this walk). You must also wear the correct clothing and footwear for the outdoors.

Whilst every effort is made to provide accurate information, walkers head out at their own risk.

* Jonathan Smith runs Where2walk, a walking company based in the Yorkshire Dales.

He has published three books on walks in the Dales, ‘The Yorkshire 3 Peaks’, ‘The Dales 30’ mountains and the Brand New ‘Walks without Stiles’ book. All are available direct from the Where2walk website.

Book a Navigation Training day in Long Preston, near Settle (Beginners or Intermediates). All dates and information on the website. The 2023 dates will be available shortly.

Jonathan’s popular website, Where2walk.co.uk also features hundreds of walks across Yorkshire and beyond, from easy strolls to harder climbs.