By Jonathan Smith

OGDEN Walk is the highlight of an unusual walk over the moors between Oxenhope and near Halifax. However, aside from Ogden there are streams to follow, woodland to pass through and wind turbines to avoid. All very interesting.

Drive to Oxenhope along the A6033 and park in the streets in the centre of the village. Oxenhope is in fact the unplanned amalgamation of a number of small villages built after the arrival of the Worth Valley railway.

Walk south on the B6141 as it starts to climb to the old settlement of Cowling, but take the ‘Bronte Way’ lane as the road bends to the left. The lane soon arrives at the first of the four reservoirs on the walk, Leeming Reservoir. Do not drop to the water’s edge but keep to the Bronte Way with views over the reservoir as it starts to climb. From the reservoir the lane becomes a footpath and climbs steeply south east on to the moors.

Climb a stile and the path becoming more significant. It is also now in access land so you can leave the path and explore the surrounding areas. After a series of zig zags the path becomes Hambleton Lane. To the left is Thornton Moor Reservoir, but it is difficult to see the water due to the angle of the land. The lane soon opens out on to the moors proper and there are some lovely, wide ranging views, the nature of the walk has changed and improved.

After half a mile the moorland path starts to slowly fall towards Ogden Reservoir. The reservoir is in a Local Nature Reserve. To enjoy this section of the walk most leave the main track as it starts to drop, enter the woods and take the signed nature trail close to the river which flows in to the reservoir.

The path passes a disused quarry before entering some woodland and finally the banks of the reservoir. Turn right and cross the dam wall and enjoy the views back over the reservoir and woods to the moors beyond. Having crossed the wall continue in a westerly direction (away from the reservoir) as the path climbs just outside the woods with Halifax Golf Club below and to your left. From the dam wall follow the bridlepath as it climbs for one mile to a quiet road heading north back on to the moors. Turn right.

Follow the road for the next one-and-a-half miles. There is interest on either side of this road, the attractive Warley Moor Reservoir used by Halifax Sailing Club on the left, while above and to the right is a large wind farm. Walking along the road is a good chance to contemplate your own views, benefits and disadvantages of wind farms. After one-and-a-half miles the road turns sharply right and then 400 metres later sharply left. Leave the road here and follow Isle Lane which drops sharply towards Leeming Reservoir and the start of the walk.

Fact Box:

Distance: Roughly 9.5 miles.

Height to Climb: 480m (1,575 feet).

Start: SE 034349. Park in the centre of Oxenhope, to the south of the A6033.

Difficulty: Moderate/Difficult. This is a long walk through rolling countryside with a few steep climbs and options to leave the path and explore.

Refreshments: There are pubs in Oxenhope but there is a greater choice of pubs and cafes in nearby Haworth.

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. 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. Please observe the Countryside Code and park sensibly.

Jonathan is the owner of Where2walk, a walking company based in the Yorkshire Dales:

• He has written 3 books on walking in the Dales; ‘The Yorkshire 3 Peaks’, ‘The Dales 30’ mountains and the ‘Walks without Stiles’ book. All these books (and more) are available direct from the Where2walk website making an excellent Christmas gift.

• Jonathan also runs Navigation Courses (for Beginners and more Advanced) and a series of Guided days in the Dales including the popular Dales 30 Weekenders. The 2025 dates are now available on the website.

Where2walk.co.uk features 100.s of walks with descriptions across Yorkshire and beyond, from easy strolls to harder climbs. Visit the website for details of all these walks, guiding days and navigation courses.