Heptonstall and Colden Clough from Hebden Bridge
West Yorkshire
Heptonstall is a hilltop weaving village above Hebden Bridge where dogs share the canal towpath with cyclists and may need a lead near sheep in the fields around Colden, full of stone cottages with long upper windows built to light the looms. The churchyard holds the ruin of a church founded in 1260 and the graves of Sylvia Plath and the coiner David Hartley, and the village has an octagonal Methodist chapel whose foundation stone was laid after John Wesley's visit in 1764, said to be the oldest still in continuous use. This 9.3km circuit from Hebden Bridge station links the Rochdale Canal, the Calderdale Way and the Pennine Way: along the towpath, up through the woods to Heptonstall, then through Eaves Wood and west into Colden Clough, a steep wooded side valley with Colden Water running over small falls, before returning to the canal. Expect around 300 metres of climbing, with steep steps and lanes, woodland paths that are muddy after rain, and some field paths.
This dog friendly walk mixes plenty of woodland, where a dog with good recall can have some freedom, with village lanes, the canal and field paths where a lead is needed. Sheep may graze the fields around Colden and Heptonstall, so use a lead near livestock, and keep dogs close on the towpath, which is shared with cyclists. Colden Water gives dogs a drink and a paddle. The White Lion in Heptonstall is listed as very dog friendly, and Hebden Bridge has many more options.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 9.3 km (5.8 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 3 hr 15 min
- Walk Type
- Woodland, Historic, Canal
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- Moderate
- Facilities
- The White Lion (listed as very dog friendly) and The Cross in Heptonstall, cafe in Heptonstall; cafes, pubs and toilets in Hebden Bridge.
- Parking
- Hebden Bridge station car park, plus Station Road and New Road car parks in the town centre.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Heptonstall and Colden Clough from Hebden Bridge, 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
Weavers Cottage - Slaithwaite
Sleeps 12 · 2 dogs · Enclosed garden
from £1,975 / 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 Heptonstall and Colden Clough from Hebden Bridge dog friendly?
This 9.3km circuit scores 7 out of 10 for dog friendliness, and it's a genuinely rewarding route for dogs — mixing canal towpath, woodland, and a steep wooded valley with Colden Water to drink from and paddle in. The White Lion in Heptonstall is listed as very dog friendly, and Hebden Bridge has plenty more dog-welcoming cafes and pubs to choose from at the end.
Can dogs be off lead at Heptonstall and Colden Clough from Hebden Bridge?
Dogs with good recall can enjoy some freedom in the woodland sections, particularly through the woods up to Heptonstall and in Colden Clough. A lead is needed on the canal towpath, which is shared with cyclists, and near the field paths around Colden and Heptonstall where sheep may be grazing.
What should I know before visiting Heptonstall and Colden Clough from Hebden Bridge with my dog?
The route involves around 300 metres of climbing, with steep steps, lanes, and woodland paths that can get muddy after rain, so sturdy footwear is worth thinking about for you as much as your dog. Sheep can graze the fields around Colden and Heptonstall, so keep your dog on a lead near livestock, and do the same on the towpath where cyclists pass. Parking is available at Hebden Bridge station car park and on Station Road and New Road in the town centre.
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