Haworth Moor, Brontë Waterfall and Top Withins
West Yorkshire
This is the walk that brings visitors and their dogs, kept on a short lead for the sheep grazing the moor, from around the world to Haworth, the moorland village where the Brontë sisters lived and wrote. From Penistone Hill Country Park above the village, the route crosses Enfield Side onto Haworth Moor and drops to the Brontë Waterfall, a series of small stepped falls over layers of gritstone beside a rebuilt stone footbridge. It then climbs steeply out of the valley to Top Withins, a ruined farmhouse on the Pennine Way that has long been linked with Emily Brontë's Wuthering Heights, before looping back over the quiet moor around Harbour Hill and Wether Hill. The circuit is 10.9km with around 308 metres of climbing, on moorland paths and tracks that are rough, boggy in places and exposed to the weather. The heather is at its best in mid to late summer.
This dog friendly walk is a proper moorland outing, but it comes with sheep. Flocks graze the open moor and are especially bold around Top Withins, and Haworth Moor is open access land, where dogs must be on a short lead from 1 March to 31 July and near livestock at any time. Outside those months, a dog with reliable recall may get short spells off lead where no sheep are about. The beck at Brontë Waterfall is the place for a drink and a paddle, but there is no shade on the tops, so carry water in summer. Haworth has plenty of cafes and pubs for afterwards.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 10.9 km (6.8 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 3 hr 30 min
- Walk Type
- Moorland, Waterfall, Historic
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Low
- Livestock Risk
- High
- Facilities
- None on the moor; cafes, pubs and toilets in Haworth village.
- Parking
- Free parking at Penistone Hill Country Park above Haworth (Bradford Council).
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Haworth Moor, Brontë Waterfall and Top Withins, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
Lower Mount Farm - On The Tops
Sleeps 4 · 1 dog · Enclosed garden
from £669 / 7 nights
Waterfall Cottage - Barnoldswick
Sleeps 4 · 2 dogs · Enclosed garden
from £551 / 7 nights
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All dog friendly stays in West YorkshireFrequently Asked Questions
Is Haworth Moor, Brontë Waterfall and Top Withins dog friendly?
Yes, dogs are welcome on this walk, and it's a popular route for visitors with dogs from all over the world. It earns a 7 out of 10 on our dog friendly rating — the open moorland and the paddle at Brontë Waterfall are real highlights, though the presence of sheep throughout means dogs need to be kept on a short lead for most of the route.
Can dogs be off lead at Haworth Moor, Brontë Waterfall and Top Withins?
Dogs must be kept on a short lead from 1 March to 31 July, as Haworth Moor is open access land with livestock restrictions in place during that period. Outside those months, a dog with reliable recall may get some short spells off lead where no sheep are around, but flocks graze the open moor and are particularly bold near Top Withins, so you should be ready to put the lead back on at any time.
What should I know before visiting Haworth Moor, Brontë Waterfall and Top Withins with my dog?
This is a proper moorland outing — 10.9km with around 308 metres of climbing on paths that can be rough, boggy and exposed to the weather, so sturdy footwear and layers are a must. There's no shade on the tops, so carry water for your dog in warmer months, though the beck at Brontë Waterfall offers a good spot for a drink and a paddle. There are no facilities on the moor itself, but Haworth has cafes, pubs and toilets to look forward to at the end, and free parking is available at Penistone Hill Country Park.
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