You don’t have to be a vegan to join us for this circular walk (just under 6 miles/ 3 hours including a stop for a bring-your-own vegan picnic). And if the going gets tough for you, there should be some shortcuts to be had. Likewise, there will be ways to take in part of the walk if the full walk is not for you.

The main part of the walk will start no later than 10:40 but see below for the earlier start in Todmorden town centre. Please gather at the picnic area/free car park on the left just after the 40 MPH signs on the Halifax Road to Hebden Bridge from Todmorden. From Hebden Bridge towards Todmorden, the picnic area/ car park is on the right just before the 30 MPH road signs. See the photo showing yellow low-headroom (2.1m) entrance/exit ‘barriers’.

Reaching the main starting point by bus from Todmorden: take the 592 from Todmorden Bus station at 10:30 hours and get off at the Horsfall Street bus stop just after railway arches on your left (and before the 40 MPH road signs).

Reaching the main starting point by bus from Hebden Bridge: take the 590 from New Road (stop HB5) at 10:19 hours and get off at the Horsfall Street bus stop opposite railway arches on your right (after the 30 MPH road signs).

If you experience a short public transport delay, we will wait for you but only if you’ve shared your mobile number in advance when letting us know you are coming – see below.

Difficulty: moderate with possibly the steepest climb being from the car park at the start up to Rodwell End. That climb takes about 8 minutes at a steady pace without a stop. After that, it should take about an hour for the more gradual, but almost continuous, ascent to the summit of the walk up to Great Rock. The remainder of the walk is almost all on the descent or level(ish).

The terrain could be boggy, slippery and/or wet in places.

Booking is advisable so that we can let you know if there are any last-minute changes to the plan. Please email rob@3valleyvegns.org.uk to let him know that you’ll be coming, your mobile number and whether you will be joining the walk at the picnic area/car park on Halifax Road no later than 10:40 hours or at Todmorden Library no later than 10:00 hours. If you would like to know options to join part of the walk, email Rob about that too.

Stops: there will be a lunch stop. Bring your own food, drink and perhaps something to sit on.  There are no shops or cafes on the route although the library is very near to Tod Almighty, Todmorden’s splendid vegan wholefoods shop . The shop’s opening hours on Sundays are 10:00 to 17:00 and so you will only be able to buy food from there after the walk.

Food & drink: please ensure that you have plenty of water and energy-giving snacks/fruits as well as your lunch. Out of respect for others on the walk, please only bring vegan food & drinks.

Attire: please wear waterproof walking boots and dress appropriately for the weather. Also bring waterproof & warm clothing even if the forecast is for good weather.

Walk with us at your own risk.  There will be a guide but every person joining the walk will be responsible for their own safety. There will be no formal provision of first aid support.

You don’t have to be a vegan to join us for this circular walk in the varied scenery south of Todmorden. It should take around 4 hours including a stop for a bring-your-own picnic. If this 6 mile jaunt is too long for you, you can join us at Gorpley Clough car park (see instructions below) for a shorter circular walk of about 3.5 miles.

We’ll start from Todmorden railway station with a steep ascent but you’ll soon reach more gentle climbs and enjoy fantastic views in all directions including Stoodley Pike, Whirlaw, Bridestones, Flower Scar Hill, wind farms and glimpses of Dobroyd Castle.

Gorpley Clough is a steep-sided woodland ravine with a number of charming waterfalls in the tinkling beck that flows through the clough. It leads up to Gorpley reservoir and from there we’ll enter moorland and Inchfield Pasture were cows and sheep roam freely. There are more great views during this part of the walk and you may get lucky and see a barn owl in the ruin of a farmhouse we pass.

The walk nears its end with a steep descent to Gauxholme. This presents great views of the canal, rail and road networks threading their way towards the centre of Todmorden. We’ll then walk back along the canal to our starting point (except for those who need to return to the Gorpley Clough car park on Bacup Road).

Booking is advisable so that we can let you know if there are any last-minute changes to the plan. Please email rob@3valleyvegns.org.uk to let him know that you’ll be coming and/or that you will be joining us at Gorpley Clough car park for the shortened part of the walk.

Stops: there will be a lunch stop. Bring your own food, drink and perhaps something to sit on.  Ensure that you have plenty of water and energy-giving snacks/fruits. There are no shops or cafes on the route although the start and finish is not far from Tod Almighty, Todmorden’s splendid vegan wholefoods shop . Amongst many other things, they sell Booja Booja ice creams to close off the walk with something special. They also sell pasties and samosas that you can take for your picnic. The shop opens at 10am on Sundays.

Food & drink: out of respect for others on the walk, please only bring vegan food & drinks.

Difficulty: moderate with a steep climb near the start.  The terrain can be boggy, slippery and wet in places. The full walk involves a total climb equivalent to ascending around 51 floors, 153 metres or 500 feet.

Attire: please wear waterproof walking boots and dress appropriately for the weather. Also bring waterproof & warm clothing even if the forecast is for good weather.

Dogs welcome: but note that there are some stiles en route and most lack a dog-pass.  There are sheep and cows in some fields. Rabbits and deer have also been seen on this walk.

Walk with us at your own risk.  There will be a guide but every person joining the walk is expected to take responsibility for their own safety. There will be no formal provision of first aid support.

Gorpley Clough car park. For those joining the walk here, this small car park can be found on Bacup Road on the left-hand side heading towards Bacup from Gauxholme. Just before you reach the car park, you’ll see a ruined stone building to your left. It has arched windows but there is no glazing. The map reference for the car park is 53.708010, -2.124365. There is a postcode that might help you get near to it – OL14 7HH. The entrance is easily missed so go slow when you are passing the ruined building.