I am back in Elland - Yorkshire - for some warranty work on the van - the solar system
has a dodgy panel that needs looking at. I was outside the factory gates at
9am and handed over, shown to the waiting "room" not a place I wanted to spend
the rest of the day in (I knew what it was like after last time here!) so I
had planned a walk taking in Elland Park wood and the canal. The aim was to
walk down the Calder & Hebble navigation to the mills on the edge of
Brighouse, then follow the Calderdale way through the woods towards
Southwram. Back down past Ashday hall to Cromwell bottom before going through
Elland Park wood coming pout at Park Nook. Then back through the fields to the
canal following it back to Elland.
The early rain had stopped, although it was still damp in the air, I was not going to get soaked. Leaving the factory and back through the estate to find the little passage way
to reach the canal - this was the route Sue & I had taken last time we were
here.
At the canal beside the Elland lock, then following the towpath towards
Brighouse (East). The next lock (Park Nook lock) is opposite the Wildax factory
although the river Calder is in the way!
Leaving Elland then the canal is straight avoiding the bend in the river.
Arriving at Cromwell Bottom local nature reserve (maybe a location for the next
walk if I come back). There is also moorings here
The canal curves around gently between the Calder river and a large lake up to
Cromwell lock.
At the next lock (Brookfoot lock) just beside the old Mill (now a factory) I
left the towpath and crossed over the A6025 now on the Calderdale way. Behind
the lock I could see the slope I would be climbing next.
The bridleway followed an old track as it angled up the side of the hill
following a drystone wall.
Towards the top of the hill the path dipped back down on a steep stone lined
path to a farm - slippy and care needed. I could have taken a lower path that
avoided half the climb but I was in no hurry.
At the farm I followed a farm track teat mutated into a path that gradually
ascended into Cromwell wood.
The path stayed in the trees above a stream until just before a back road at the
head of the valley. Here I crossed over, with a slight dip, to the driveway to
an isolated house. I left the Calderdale way and followed the Brighouse boundary
walk.
At the house the path continued past the front and onto a path the other side
that led through the woods to a back road leading to Ashday hall.
The driveway turned into a track with walls each side that continued dropping
along the valley side to another isolated house then into the woods as a path
(still dropping down)
I stayed on the Brighouse boundary walk (although I should have taken a side
path that would have avoided the road) and down to meet the A6025 opposite the
Cromwell Bottom nature reserve. This was a point I could have returned to
Wildax, but without a message I continued.
Back along the road past another large building (now residential I think) until
I could pick up the driveway into Binns Wood. I followed this climbing past a
number of houses.
Up the driveway to the last house where a large sign forbid any motorised
traffic, and along a track/ path into the tress still climbing. Time to take off the Goretex as the rain was not coming back just yet.
Now in Elland Park Wood, the path became indistinct as it had been chewed up by
mountain/ gravel bikes as well as forms of motorised transport - despite all the
signs and the fact t was an SSSI protected site.
The path direction contoured along a slight shelf on the side of the slope
crisscrossed by bike tracks. Some parts better than others
The path finally met a brick cobbled track that turned up the valley towards
Park Nook. Before it reached the top of Elland Park wood I turned off across the
stream towards park gate.
Now out of the woods and over a dryer field climbing up to Park Gate farm
driveway.
Along the driveway to a back road to pick up (it actually angles back from the
start of the drive) a path into the fields again.
Down along the electric fence to a wall stile (steps built into the all) and
over into the next field. this dropped to a very soggy and muddy corner beside
school playing fields. Then down alongside the school boundary to a back
road.
Along the back road to the collection of houses beside a pylon, where the path
left the road into a field. Across this to another wall stile
Down the other side of the wall to some tress above the A629. The path zigzagged
through the tress before an extremely slippy drop down to the edge of the
road
Over the dual carriageway (there was a break in the central reservation to allow
a rest), and then more zigzags to reach the canal. On the opposite side to the
towpath but at Longlees lock, so I could cross on the gate bridge.
Next along the towpath to woodside Mills lock - the mill is just ruins now on
the far bank. and hence along to the bridge beside the mills where I had crossed
the previous night.
Under the bridge and back out to the side of the A6025 just below the A629, and
opposite a canal boat hire place. I could now continue on the towpath after
changing sides, but as there was still no call from Wildax, I thought about
lunch and some chips to go with my sandwiches.
So I followed the route from last night, over the bride and down beside the mill
to find the cobbled track up to the town.
The chippy was at the top of the cobbled track and I picked up some chips before
walking down to the main street where I knew there were some benches for a seat.
The day had been mainly dry up to now, but there were a few spots of rain
starting, so it was time to head back.
I followed the roads down to the
bridge, and thought I had the access track to the towpath, however I missed the
turning and continued past a builders reclamation yard and to a dead end under
the roads.
Retracing my steps to find the access path, just behind the
houses before the yard.
Back on the towpath, I followed it to Elland Lock and the access path into the
industrial park, then around the units and back to Wildax. As I crossed under
the bridges I had a call to say the van was ready - I suspect it could have been
before lunch break, but that communication!
The van was waiting for me - they had even washed it outside, although my drive
back would negate all that.
I just had to go back to the campsite and drop off the access token and forgo
the nights stay. Then the long drive home.
