Whenever somebody asks for walking recommendations around Yorkshire, Hardcastle Crags is almost always reflexively one of the first locations to leave my lips.
An enchanted wooded valley I’ve been frequenting since childhood, I’ll never tire of the luscious scenery, varied wildlife & plethora of trails on offer each time we visit.
Home to streams, ravines, woodlands, hidden waterfalls, unique rock formations & an abundance of wildlife, each of the walking trails vary in difficulty and offer a fresh perspective for which to enjoy the unspoilt landscape.
Whether you’re a seasoned solo hiker, a parent looking for a tranquil afternoon stroll with the family or anything in between, I guarantee this woodland paradise won’t disappoint!
To assist eager visitors, we thought it’d be worth putting together a comprehensive guide to house all the information you need to know in one convenient place.
Also providing a list of our personal fave walks in the epic valley – we’ve even thrown a few hidden gems in there for good measure!
Interested? Let’s get to it 👇👇
How do I get to Hardcastle Crags?
Harcastle Crags is nestled in the stunning & hilly countryside of West Yorkshire, England.
A short 2-mile stroll north from the quaint town of Hebden Bridge, the spectacular valley has long been a popular hiking location for locals and visitors alike.
Easy to visit via car, Hebden Bridge also has plenty of public transport options, with regular trains and buses passing through the village throughout the day.
We personally prefer to start our walk from Hebden Bridge, since finishing back here means we get reward our hiking efforts with some food at one of the many amazing eateries on offer.
Top tip – Visit on a Sunday and you’ll find some amazing grub on the Hebden Sunday market!
To get to Hardcastle Crags from Hebden Bridge, simply follow the quiet country lane along Midgehole Road which takes you directly to the entrance of Hardcastle Crags.
Where to park for Hardcastle Crags?
Hardcastle Crags is home to two official car parks, both being quite small and known for filling up rather quickly.
These two car parks are:
- Clough Hole Car Park (HX7 7AZ)
- Midgehole Car Park (HX7 7AA)
I’d personally recommend Midgehole Car Park out of the two since it’s the starting point for many of the most popular trails in the valley. Just be sure to get here nice and early to snatch a spot!
Do you have to pay at Hardcastle Crags?
While the car parks of Hardcastle Craggs cost £5 for non-National Trust members, actual admission into the valley is completely free. Get in!
As per my last visit, the pay and display machines at the car parks are cash only however, so no card payments unfortunately.
Walking in Hardcastle Crags
Covering over 400 acres, there really is so much to see during your visit. Way too much for one ramble.
Riverside paths, woodland trails, hidden waterfalls, unique rock formations and the abundance of wildlife to keep your eyes peeled for, on our most recent visit we even came across a couple of young deer fooling around in the woodlands.
Many of the footpaths are relatively gentle, though others can be quite rocky & uneven with steep sections in parts, so please wear suitable footwear and don’t tackle any routes you’re not confident in.
Best walks in Hardcastle Crags
To save you the hassle of deciding on which walk to choose during your outing to Hardcastle Crags, I thought it’d be worth highlighting some of my absolute favourites below:
Estate Track
Perfect for families and inexperienced walkers, the estate track is the most direct route to Gibson Mill, taking you along a well laid out footpath with only a few gentle inclines to tackle.
Coming in at just 1-mile in length, from Midgehole Carpark simply follow the grey waymarkers and away you go.
Gibson Mill Walk (Upper Woodland or Riverside Trail)
For those wanting a slightly more adventurous route to Gibson Mill, the Upper Woodland or Riverside Trail might just be your cup of tea.
With each trail running parallel to the standard Estate Track, the Upper Woodland Trail takes you up high into the enchanted woodlands of the craggy valley to your right, while the Riverside path offers gorgeous views by the ravine to the left.
Still relatively short rambles at just 1 ¼ miles each way, the Upper Woodland path is found by following the red waymarkers from Midgehole Upper Car Park, while the Riverside Trail is found by following the red markers at the lower end of the car park.
The Crags
Likewise, If you’d like to extend your short stroll once reaching Gibson Mill, continue around ¼ mile on the trail past the mill and you’ll soon see a signpost signalling left up ‘to the Crags’.
A short incline which has you clamber on top of the unique craggy rock formations looming high above, the views from up top are simply sublime.
Lumb Hole Falls Circular Trail
Moving onto my all time favourite walk in Hardcastle Crags.
This epic looping trail guides you through the wooded Pennine valley & over stunning Yorkshire moorland, before dropping down to one of Yokshire’s best kept secrets, Lumb Hole Falls.
Coming in at 8.5 miles, this is a much longer trail than the ones listed above & involves some several pretty steep climbs and descents.
Not for the feint of heart that’s for sure!
For the full lowdown, be sure to check out our detailed ‘Lumb Hole Falls Walking Guide’ here 👈
Hardcastle Crags To Gorple Reservoir
Lastly, for those hankering for another lengthy hike, you could always make your way directly through Hardcastle Crags and up towards the shimmering waters of Gorple Reservoir.
A scenic yet underrated hike, this route is perfect for those wanting a longer & peaceful ramble.
Even better, you’ll also pass by the historic Pack Horse Inn on the way, a handy pitstop to keep those energy levels topped up with a nice crisp ale.
Also known for being a segment along the formidable yet incredibly enjoyable Burnley to Hebden Bridge Country Walk, you can read all about this mammoth 14-mile trek in our guide here.
How long does it take to walk Hardcastle Crags?
The three direct Hardcastle Crags routes to Gibson Mill (Estate Track, Gibson Mill Upper Woodland Trail & the Riverside Path) shouldn’t take much longer than 30-40 minutes each way at a leisurely pace from Midgehole Car Park.
You can maybe add around 20 minutes to this time if you’d also like to go and clamber on top of ‘the Crags’.
If you’re taking the full circular trail to Lumb Falls however, this walk is considerably longer and is likely to take 3-4 hours in total.
Preparing for a walk at Hardcastle Crags
As with any countryside ramble, ensuring you’re properly prepared and equipped is paramount.
With many of the trails being quite rocky and uneven underfoot, a sturdy pair of walking boots or shoes certainly wouldn’t go amiss.
If tackling one of the longer routes, you’ll also likely want to pack some hiking snacks in your rucksack to keep your party energised!
More resources
Hebden Bridge and the countryside surrounding Hardcastle Crags is simply teeming with outdoor wonder. For more walking inspiration, you really should head over to our ‘7 Cracking Hebden Bridge Walks You Need To Try’ blog post!
Likewise, for more great Yorkshire content, why not check out our recent post on the very best walks in Yorkshire? I’m positive you’ll be left chomping at the bit to head out and explore some of these marvellous rambles.
Happy walking 🚶🚶