Brighouse to Hebden Bridge Canal Walk

11.7 miles (18.8 km)

This walk follows the Calder and Hebble Navigation Canal and the Rochdale Canal from Brighouse to Hebden Bridge via Sowerby Bridge and Mytholmroyd. The route runs for just under 12 miles, following the towpaths west along the canals and the River Calder.
Walk Report October 8th 2026 By Mark Ellis:
We started in Brighouse and followed the Calder and Hebble Navigation Canal towards Sowerby Bridge.... This is a lovely part of Calderdale for a waterside walk, with the River Calder running alongside sections of the canal and the surrounding valley providing a backdrop to the route. The towpath makes for easy walking, and we soon settled into a steady pace beside the water, passing bridges and old mill buildings that recall the area's industrial past. It was interesting to see how the waterways fit into the landscape, with the canal still providing a peaceful route through places that grew up around industry and transport.
The stretch towards Sowerby Bridge has a mixture of town and countryside, with views opening up along the Calder Valley as we went. We passed through the area around Elland, where there are opportunities to explore nearby woodland at Elland Park Wood if you fancy a detour. Brookfoot Ski Lake is another landmark on the Brighouse side of the route. The canal towpath is generally level, so the main consideration on this walk is the distance rather than steep climbs. At just under 12 miles, it makes a substantial outing, and we were glad to have comfortable walking shoes and enough time to enjoy the journey rather than rush it.
Sowerby Bridge is a good place to pause, as this is where the Calder and Hebble Navigation meets the Rochdale Canal. The canal basin and surrounding buildings give the town a distinctive waterside character, and there are pubs, restaurants and cafés nearby if you want to stop for refreshments. We found it a natural point to break up the walk before continuing west along the Rochdale Canal towards Hebden Bridge. The change from one waterway to the other also makes this route more interesting than simply following a single canal for the whole distance.
From Sowerby Bridge, we continued along the Rochdale Canal, following the towpath through the Upper Calder Valley. This section has plenty of character, with locks, old mills and canal-side buildings appearing along the way. The hills of Calderdale rise around the valley, giving the walk a more enclosed feel in places, while the River Calder accompanies the route nearby. We enjoyed the contrast between the industrial heritage beside the water and the green hills beyond it. There is plenty to look at without needing to leave the towpath, making this a satisfying walk for anyone who enjoys exploring the landscape on foot.
We passed through Mytholmroyd, a village closely associated with the valley and its waterways, before carrying on towards Hebden Bridge. The canal-side cottages and former mill buildings along this stretch are a reminder of how important the waterway once was to local industry. The route is straightforward to follow for much of the way, although it is still worth paying attention at bridges and junctions. By this stage, the distance makes itself felt more than the terrain, so we appreciated having the canal to follow and the scenery changing gradually as we approached our destination.
Arriving in Hebden Bridge was a fitting end to the walk. The town has an attractive centre with stone buildings, independent shops, cafés and pubs, while the canal runs close to the heart of it. After nearly 12 miles beside the water, it is a welcome place to sit down for something to eat or drink. The railway station also makes it practical to plan transport, particularly if you arrange to return to Brighouse by public transport rather than retracing the route on foot.
We enjoyed this walk for the way it links several Calderdale communities through their shared canal and river landscape. There is a real sense of the area's industrial history along the towpaths, but also plenty of attractive valley scenery to enjoy between the towns. It is a longer walk, so I would allow most of a day for it, especially if you plan to stop in Sowerby Bridge or Mytholmroyd along the way. For anyone who enjoys canal paths, old mills and exploring the Calder Valley at walking pace, this is a rewarding route between Brighouse and Hebden Bridge.